Hannah Chu ’19 Earns Ph.D. in Entomology & Joins John Jay Faculty
Major: B.S. Forensic Science
Graduate Degree: Ph.D. Entomology from the University of California, Riverside ’25
Current Job: Doctoral Lecturer, Forensic Science, John Jay College
Program: Honors Program, Program for Research Initiatives in Science (PRISM), Peer Tutor Math and Science Resource Center & Academic Advisement Center
Internships: Summer Research Intern, Cornell University; Summer Research Intern, University of Florida
Mentors: Edgardo Sanabria-Valentín, Ph.D., PRISM Associate Director/Adjunct Assistant Professor; Gabriella Sanguineti, Ph.D., PRISM Research & Outreach Coordinator/Adjunct Chemistry Professor; Jennifer Rosati, Ph.D., Assistant Forensic Science Professor
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Career Aspiration: Science Educator
What was life like growing up before John Jay College?
I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, in a Chinese-American family. I’m not a first-generation college student because many family members went to college, but I am the first in my family to receive a graduate degree. I was a good student in high school, but oddly enough, I was really bad at science. I almost failed a science class in high school, but that didn’t stop me from pursuing science at John Jay. I’m the type of person who likes a challenge. If someone thinks I can’t do something, I’m going to dig in and prove them wrong.
What made you want to attend John Jay College?
At first, I wanted to become a criminal defense lawyer, and I thought John Jay would be a good school for a legal career. Then I did an internship at a law office and I realized it wasn’t the best career option for me. The people were great, but the subject matter didn’t fit my personality. I wasn’t as passionate about the law as they were. After that internship, I decided to major in forensic science because the science behind testimonies was interesting to me. I was also really interested in the opportunity to do research projects through PRISM.
What sparked your passion for science and entomology?
At John Jay, I took an introductory course where we learned basic lab skills, like pipetting. Then we had to choose a lab. I reached out to Dr. Jennifer Rosati, who worked on entomology. My initial thought was, Nope, I don’t like bugs, but the truth was, I didn’t really know how diverse bugs are. All I knew about were the bugs that everyone encounters, like mosquitoes and cockroaches.
My first project was on the biodiversity of blowflies in Central Park. I had to identify the bugs under a scope, and I found it extremely calming. I enjoyed looking at the different types of flies we were collecting and figuring out exactly what they were. Within this one fly family, there were so many different types of flies. Then the forensic and practical application of those files drew me into the work.
How did your internships advance your education?
At Cornell, I worked on research studying a caterpillar, the looper, that was a pest on cabbage crops. The looper is this tiny caterpillar that I thought was really cute. It was fascinating learning about these insects and how GMOS could help protect crops. That summer, I realized I liked being around insects. The internship really opened my eyes to how diverse insect research is. Chemists, biologists, and physicists come together calling themselves entomologists because they apply all of these different disciplines to the science of insects.
The following summer, I continued my ever-growing love of insect research at the University of Florida. There, I wanted to work on something that involved climate change and insect development or metamorphosis. For 10 weeks, I studied a pest fly that’s focused onto one specific type of fruit. I researched the seasonal differences when the flies emerged. It was fascinating looking at the circadian rhythm of insects.
How did your John Jay mentors put you on the path to success?
I owe my entire career to Dr. Ed (Edgardo Sanabria-Valentín, Ph.D.) and Dr. G. (GabriellaSanguineti, Ph.D.). My family didn’t really know much about the grad school application process. When I joined PRISM, Dr. Ed. and Dr. G. opened that door for me by introducing me to research opportunities and different science careers. They helped me learn how to write scientific papers and showed me how to get funding for research. They were the ones who told me about the summer internships and read over my applications. When it came time to apply to grad school, Dr. Ed. and Dr. G. wrote my recommendations, reviewed my statements, and helped me through the entire process. They even set me up in different workshops where I could learn things like interviewing skills and email etiquette. I can’t express how transformative their guidance was in my life.
What was the focus of your dissertation?
The first part of my research focused on blowflies in Southern California and the four very different environments in the area—the mountains, beaches, deserts, and woods. I wanted to look at the impact the environment had on the blowflies. Also, I needed to study the differences between native vs. non-native blowflies. We found very distinct genetic differences between the two, with the non-native blowflies being introduced to the area, possibly through trade or travel from Mexico, in the 1980s. We saw the environmental impact on the native flies in their genetics. Whereas, the non-native flies all kind of looked the same genetically. It was hypothesized that because the non-native flies are from a tropical area, they could die out when the temperature is really cold. So, I tested the thermal range to see if the files could function. Between the two species, I found that the non-native species had a very narrow range of survival. At extreme low and extreme high temperatures, they died before the native flies. It was really exciting to see a hypothesis that was correct.
What’s next in your career?
Currently, I’m a doctoral lecturer in the science department at John Jay. I’m teaching foundational biology—the 101, 102, 103, 104 series. I used to dream about becoming a biology educator and mentor. Now, I’m doing it. I love that I can show students how important science is through biology. I’m really excited to engage with students and help them care about science and see the practical applications of it.
What advice do you have for students hoping to follow in your footsteps?
Trust yourself and follow your dreams. Don’t do things for other people or their expectations. You might feel pressure from your parents, friends, or society to go down a certain path. Don’t fall into that trap, thinking you have to fit into a certain mold. When you find something you’re passionate about, trust that gut instinct. Things are going to work out. There was a point during grad school when I didn’t think I was going to make it. I had to remind myself that it was going to be fine, and it was.
Please finish this sentence: Because of John Jay…
I discovered who I am meant to be as a person. Throughout my time at John Jay, I learned the importance of community. Coming back to the College as a faculty member, I’ve made it my goal to be that person, that community member, who uplifts students.
