Alumni Spotlight on Jenna Epstein

Jenna Epstein is a graduate of the MS-RSM program, class of 2025. She completed the non-thesis track and conducted research with Dr. Pamela Monahan and Dr. Lindsey Block.

Mentor: Pamela Monahan, PhD, and Lindsey Block, PhD

Project title: "Failure to Fuse? The Effect of Polyethylene Nanoplastic Exposure on BeWo Cytotrophoblast Syncytialization"

What is your connection to the CRS community (mentor and position) and what is your current position? 

I am a recent graduate of the non-thesis track under the mentorship of Dr. Pamela Monahan and Dr. Lindsey Block. Currently, I’m living in Chicago looking for my next career move on the East Coast! 

Could you describe your current research/studies? 

During my time on the non-thesis track, I studied the effects of polyethylene nanoplastic exposure on placental cells. My part of the project focused on the ability of human placental cells to fuse together into a single membrane following polyethylene nanoplastic exposure. The ability of these cells to become a single multinucleated layer is critical to forming the placenta during pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to fully explore how nanoplastic exposure may disrupt this process. 

What aspect(s) of CRS did you find most valuable?  

The most valuable part of CRS was connecting and interacting with so many knowledgeable experts in the reproductive science field. It was such a privilege to meet so many incredible people and hear about their science directly from them.  

What has been the most valuable aspect to your training as a reproductive scientist in CRS? 

The most valuable thing I have gained through my training as a reproductive scientist in CRS is grit. Science is inherently full of failures and successes, frequently with more failure than success! During my time in CRS I became comfortable with failure, learning from the experience and using it to inform my next steps. Continuing to persist in the face of failure developed my grit and self confidence because I know that my failures do not define me, they help me grow. 

What would you recommend to junior scientists in order for them succeed in their scientific careers?​ 

As a junior scientist, I believe it is incredibly important to learn how to communicate your science. It’s often easy to discuss science with peers or professionals in your field of study, but science’s largest impact comes from being shared with people outside that field. Being able to talk about your science with family, friends, and people in the general public fosters interest and trust in science which is very needed at this time. Simplifying complex scientific ideas into fascinating, approachable concepts is a skill that while challenging to gain, is the greatest strength a scientist can have. 

What do you think will be the next big contribution in the reproductive biology field?  

I believe further developing in vitro gametogenesis into a widely accessible assisted reproductive technology will be one of the next biggest contributions in reproductive biology. As other treatments and forms of fertility preservation have continued to flourish, in vitro gametogenesis is an exciting next step for the field as it will further expand options for transgender individuals, same sex couples, people with differences in sex development, or others experiencing infertility who wish to become parents using assisted reproductive technologies.  

Do you have any notable stories from your time in CRS? 

During my time developing the experiments for the non-thesis project, my classmates and I frequently had to digest large amounts of scientific literature into our own novel, elegant experiments. While the process was challenging, it was through these experiences that I grew closer with my classmates, learning how to problem solve and compromise, consume large amounts of complex information, and build deep trust with each other. Because of this, I will always feel a special bond with my non-thesis peers and I am very grateful for that.