Andrea Basso at Graduation

Andrea Basso received a Ph.D. from the WCGSMS in May 2003. Her program of study was Pharmacology, under the direction of Dr. Neal Rosen. As a graduate student, she was honored with numerous awards, including the American Association of Cancer Research Scholar in Training Award and the Women in Cancer Research Brigid G. Leventhal Scholar Award. Andrea is currently engaged in postdoctoral work at Schering-Plough.

Tri-Institutional Powerhouse

I think what draws you to Cornell is its tri-institutional structure. You have Cornell Medical College, Sloan-Kettering Institute, and Rockefeller University. The access to people in all those places is a big advantage. There are ongoing lectures and seminars at all three institutions that welcome student participation. It's these choices that make this a unique place. If there are 20 lectures going on in a week, you are sure to find two or three that you will want to attend. You can also approach faculty members if you are interested in delving deeper into a specific subject matter. Between the three institutions, there are literally hundreds of scientists you can turn to.

Professional from the Start

From the first interview through graduation, you are treated like a professional. That's something that has had a lasting impression on me. Individuals are encouraged to take on new responsibilities. You can be the person who attends national conferences and presents the lab's work, the person who hosts the poster session and goes to the meetings, and much more. That can be very stimulating, and what's more, these sorts of activities are largely financially supported by the school. You're also encouraged to publish your findings. I've been fortunate in this regard. To date, I have co-authored nine papers with our lab head, Neal Rosen. Finally, the amenities here -- the top notch housing, the generous stipend, and the opportunities to experience the cultural life of New York City -- are all arranged by the school. All in all, it's a wonderful place to study.