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by Sue Kropp
•
B.S., SUNY College at Buffalo (speech therapy)
• M.A., SUNY Buffalo (audiology)
• Ph.D.,
SUNY Buffalo (anatomy and cell biology)
Research Interests:
The auditory portion of the embryonic inner ear consists of a coiled structure of undifferentiated cells. as development proceeds, sensory hair cells and supporting cells will form.
Hair cells have protrusions called stereocilia extending from the surface. In culture, the hair cells reassociate with supporting cells.
JULY 8, 2002--Lynne Bianchi became a scientist in a roundabout way. Orignally trained in speech and hearing therapy, it took her a while to realize that becoming a scientist was a viable option for her.
A chance encounter while working on her clinical master's degree led her into the lab, where she fell in love with basic science. Bianchi ultimately left the lab to receive her Ph.D. in basic science.
"It never occurred to me to be a scientist, even though I always liked science and did well in it in school," says Bianchi, an associate professor of neuroscience. "I didn't know any scientists while I was growing up, and didn't realize what kind of opportunities were out there for me."
Although Bianchi never thought that being female would make any difference in her choice of studies, some people were less than encouraging.
"Most of my mentors were very supportive of my work. Looking back, however, I do recall some incidents that were discouraging," Bianchi says. "One of my mentors once told me that I should pursue histology. He said it was a nice field for a girl because it was just like cooking--it wouldn't be too hard for me because all I had to do was follow recipes. I didn't stay in that lab long."
After Bianchi earned her Ph.D., she worked for a pharmaceutical company that focused on developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Lou Gherig's disease. She began teaching at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, but soon realized that there was a serious need for science teachers at the undergraduate level.
"Once I decided to focus on undergraduate students, I made the move to Oberlin. I've been really happy here, and have been able to work with some extremely bright students," she says.
A Q&A with Lynne Bianchi
Please send comments, questions, and suggestions about Oberlin Online news and feature articles to online.news@oberlin.edu.
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