Simon Lab Spotlight! Chloe Jones
Chloe Josephine Jones, Associate Researcher, from Kentucky
B.A. in Biochemistry from Columbia University
Q: Cats or Dogs or Other?
A: Dogs, but I like both! I've always had dogs my whole life. Don’t get me wrong, I like cats, and I respect them. However, I tend to enjoy playing with dogs more.
Q: What sparked your interest in virology research or led you to join the Simon and Mulder Lab?
A: Well, I was initially interested in joining the lab as a volunteer to learn more about virology, but then I learned about the Associate Researcher opening and interviewed, then got hired! But Microbiology has always been extremely interesting to me. My previous experience was more with bacteria studying Space Microbiology, but I became very interested in the translational aspect of research. I realized that virology lined up with those interests, so I became very excited about joining the lab.
Q: What is the most interesting part of your job?
A: I think it's all interesting, especially when you are culturing SARS-CoV-2 all day! To be honest, I do enjoy dressing up in the lab, or in other words putting on the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to perform my job. It is a fun reminder of the importance (and danger!) of the work we do in the lab.
Q: What is your favorite spot in all of New York?
A: I don't know why, but I just really like Lincoln Square. Every time I am there I'm like, this place is incredible. Specifically, the David H. Koch Theatre (designed to look like a jewelry box!).
Q: How did the COVID-19 Pandemic impact your position on research and virology?
A: I had already been interested in research by the time that the pandemic had begun, but I was in high school, I wasn't participating in any research in my area. But I did, when I got to college, it was still pretty much in full swing, in some regards. So it made me very interested in research that affected people, but I did feel like my research experiences had a bit of a hurdle to get into, because even getting onto campus was tough and difficult. Leaving your dorm room was hard enough with all the COVID restrictions happening. I think that's what brought me towards the end of my college career, wanting to do something translational. Research that has real world applications.
Q: What does a day in the lab look like?
A: For me, I’m more of an early bird so I usually come in and unlock the lab, and then I plan out my day, and I am usually running back and forth upstairs to check on infections, do cell culture, and run experiments. It is really dependent on my assignments for the day, because there is always a lot of planning involved. On days when I am not doing experiments, I am typically analyzing data.
Q: Aside from being a great associate researcher, what would you describe to be your personal superpower?
A: I can memorize songs quickly. Not very quickly, but maybe slightly above average. I consider it somewhat of a superpower, if I had to choose one.
Q: If you could share one piece of advice with people interested in research, what would it be?
A: Just get started. Don’t be afraid to send an email, talk to anyone at any time, ever. This is what I wish someone would have told me when I was younger, so that's what I tell people when they ask.
Thank you Chloe for sharing your story!