Hanna D. Paton

(She/Her/Hers)

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I began my PhD training at the University of Iowa in the fall of 2022, and joined the lab of Dr. Prajwal Gurung in the spring of 2023. I passed my candidacy exam in spring of 2024, and since have been working on my dissertation project and pursuing experiences to help me grow as a scientist and science communicator. I am passionate about science communication and accessibility, and am pursuing a career in scientific editing and communication. I have been making content about public health, science, becoming a scientist, and medicine on TikTok since late 2021. Find me @HDPgetsherPhD on TikTok and Instagram! I also have began a blog to merge my passions for scientific writing and communication https://hdpgetsherphd.wixsite.com/hdp-gets-her-phd.

As an undergrad, I worked as a lead biology tutor and received my CRLA level I and II certifications. I started my research career in undergrad as well, working under supervision of Dr. Laura Vogel and investigating reptile immunology. Here I gained experience in both field work and lab techniques. I also had the privilege of being part of a multifaceted lab with focuses is several areas of science beyond immunology, including ecology and developmental biology. I also worked as a lab processor for SHIELD Illinois, helping to carry out COVID-19 testing on campus. I received my B.S. in molecular and cellular biology, along with minors in public health and chemistry, in spring of 2022.

Experience

  • 2022–present
    Scholar/Trainee, University of Iowa
  • 2019–2022
    Lead Biology Tutor, Julia N. Visor Center
  • 2020–2022
    Undergraduate Research Assistant, Illinois State University
  • 2021–2022
    Lab Processor, SHIELD Illinois

Education

  • 2022 
    Illinois State University , B.S. Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • 2022 
    College Reading and Learning Association, Level II Tutor Certification
  • 2022 
    Illinois State University, Minor, Chemistry
  • 2022 
    Illinois State University, Minor, Public Health
  • 2019 
    College Reading and Learning Association, Level I Tutor Certification
  • 2018 
    Illinois Valley Community College, Phlebotomy Certification

Publications

  • 2025
    An overview of host immune responses against Leishmania spp. infections, Human Molecular Genetics

Professional Memberships

  • American Association of Immunologists
  • Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa
  • National Association of Science Writers

Contact Hanna for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision