Ashley Kaswer ’25 Heads to Michigan State University to Earn Ph.D.
Degree: B.S. in Forensic Science
Concentration: Toxicology
Programs: Program for Research Initiatives in Science and Math (PRISM), CUNY Inclusive Economy Initiative (CIE), CUNY Immersive Research Experience (CIRE)
Mentors: Shu-Yuan Cheng, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Sciences; Edgardo Sanabria-Valentín Ph.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor, Associate Program Director PRISM; Alejandra Myerston, STEM Retention Specialist, PRISM; Julie Kiss, Career & Academic Advisor, CIE
Internship: FDA National Center for Toxicological Research
Hometown: Poughkeepsie, NY
Career Aspiration: FBI Forensic Toxicologist
Post-Graduate Plans: Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology Program at Michigan State University
What was life like before John Jay?
I grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York, the oldest of three kids. My mom is an entrepreneur who runs her own medical billing company, and my dad is a chef at an assisted living facility that feeds veterans. I’m the first in the family to attend college, so when it came to applying to college, I had to navigate the application process without a lot of help. Thinking about my siblings in the future, my mom sat beside me so she could learn how to apply and see where to look for resources and information. It’s nice to think I’m trailblazing the path for my sisters.
Why John Jay?
The minute I set my heart on forensic science I knew I was going to John Jay College. John Jay is among the top-rated colleges in the country for forensic science, justice-focused education, and the law—and that’s exactly what I wanted. I also grew up familiar with the city since my mom grew up in the Bronx. Going to a college located in the heart of New York City was exciting for me.
What sparked your passion for science, biology, and toxicology?
I’ve always had a passion for math and science. That love expanded in high school while taking a chemistry course. Getting to view molecules under a microscope and seeing how this little molecule works, interacts with others, and can go on forever with each zoom was so fascinating.
My love for science also comes from real-world experiences and from hearing about the role forensic science plays in solving crimes. I was influenced by the stories I heard from family members who work in law enforcement and the true crime documentaries my mom and grandmother would watch on television. Growing up in Poughkeepsie, I also saw the impact drugs and nicotine use had on people. Vaping was on the rise when I was in high school, especially among young people, including myself. Seeing that in my community made me want to understand how addiction works and in what ways drugs alter the brain and impact the body.
How did your mentors at John Jay put you on the path to success?
Alejandra Myerston from PRISM was one of my first mentors at John Jay, and she gave me great advice when I was dealing with imposter syndrome. She said that a smart scientist knows what they don’t know, admits it, and then goes out to ask someone for help and learns more. That advice has helped me throughout my undergraduate experience.
I’ve had the chance to do research with Dr. Shu-Yuan Cheng, and she’s been such an incredible mentor. She is supportive and consistently advocates for me, providing valuable advice and suggesting various labs and learning opportunities that would benefit my growth. She’s signed me up for several programs and scholarships and connected me with current and post-grad Ph.D. students for mentorship opportunities.
Dr. Edgardo Sanabria-Valentín’s mentorship has been invaluable as well. He has kept me on track for graduation and checked in regularly to make sure I was doing okay. In terms of research, he made sure my writing was top-notch and that I was prepared for my presentations, ensuring that the information I was sharing was clear and that I was comfortable speaking in front of an audience. He’s also been an excellent resource during the graduate school application process. Anytime I mentioned that I liked a particular program, he would go out of his way to connect me to someone at that institution. His mission has always been to help me achieve my goals. As a PRISM and John Jay student, it feels wonderful to know you have people in your corner who will move mountains for you to see you succeed.
What has your research at John Jay been focused on?
I’ve been working with Dr. Cheng, looking at an existing chemotherapy drug that was approved in 1974 by the FDA, trying to understand how the drug kills the cancer cells, what proteins are involved, and what pathway the drug takes to kill the cancer cell. This research has been ongoing for years at CUNY, but we wanted to take a different approach by using bioinformatics, which is computer science analysis that analyzes and interprets biological data.
When I joined the research lab two years ago, Dr. Cheng had just obtained the license to use the bioinformatics program QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. No one at John Jay had used the program before, which meant my very first task was to figure out how to use it. I spent hours attending webinars and reading articles, and ultimately became a certified analyst of ingenuity QIAGEN Pathway Analysis. Using the bioinformatics program, I was able to upload the data from previous research and create what we call potential mechanisms. These mechanisms show the various connections within the cell that was treated with the drug. The program allowed us to see the role the cell played and deepened our understanding of how the drug killed the cell.
What was your FDA National Center for Toxicological Research internship like?
I learned about the internship through my friend Sarah Marks, who had previously participated in the program. She was so supportive throughout the process, sitting next to me while I applied and keeping me calm when I felt overwhelmed. It was wonderful to have a peer who had experienced the internship and repeatedly let me know that I was capable of excelling.
The internship took place over the summer in Arkansas. I actually lived with Sarah’s parents while completing the program. Due to my experience with bioinformatics and research with Dr. Cheng, I was placed with the FDA’s division of systems biology and looked at asthma drugs, identifying and profiling the metabolites of the drug. Recently, there’s been an increase in reports of some asthma drugs causing neuropsychiatric side effects in children. So, our goal was to see if the metabolites that we know cross the blood-brain barrier were present in the drugs we were testing.
How was your experience in the NIH-funded Toxicology Mentoring and Skills Development Training Program (ToxMSDT)?
ToxMSDT is an exciting year-long mentorship program that’s hosted through UC Davis. Only 25 students from across the country are selected, and if you’re chosen, you get to have a one-on-one mentorship with someone in the field of toxicology. I was thrilled and honored to be selected. I was paired with John Buchweitz, Ph.D., the section chief for nutrition and toxicology at Michigan State University. He’s a forensic toxicologist and an expert witness in court and has worked with multiple federal agencies on investigations and court proceedings. So, he’s essentially doing what I want to do.
During the mentorship, Dr. Buchweitz and I would meet regularly via Zoom, and he let me decide what areas I wanted our conversations to focus on. As a first-gen student who was applying to graduate schools, it was important for me to get insight on what Ph.D. programs I should consider from someone who was a practicing forensic toxicologist. He provided me with a wealth of knowledge, recognized my concerns, and provided me with diverse opinions.
How did John Jay prepare you for grad school?
I truly believe the forensic science program at John Jay provides an incredibly strong foundation for any student wanting to be a scientist. As a student, you spend the first few years mastering the sciences, from chemistry to quantum mechanics, which sets you up for future success. One of the most important classes I took at John Jay was Instrumental Analysis I & II. Very few undergraduate programs offer this course, yet understanding instrumentation and having the ability to troubleshoot with analytics is crucial for successful scientists. I feel this set me apart, made me shine, and helped me stand out as a strong Ph.D. program applicant. With a John Jay education, you can truly go anywhere after graduation.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I will attend Michigan State University to pursue my Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology. MSU’s prestigious program in pharmacology and toxicology produces exceptional alumni who become established scientists in all fields within toxicology. The university also has connections with government agencies, including the FBI. I have been awarded a yearly stipend to cover my living expenses, which means I’ll be able to concentrate fully on research. It’s thrilling to be able to do what I love and give it my all during the Ph.D. program.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
After graduating from MSU, I plan to become a forensic toxicologist with the FBI and to serve as an expert witness in court. I’d love to further the scientific communication for members of the jury and people attending court hearings. The idea of becoming Dr. Kaswer feels surreal, but after graduating from John Jay and getting into a Ph.D. program at MSU, that dream is now within reach.
