Name: Claire Johns
Hometown: Right here in San Diego, CA!
Hobbies: Running, yoga, reading
What do you study? There are special cells in your body that can turn into any other type of cell. They can become brain cells, heart cells, skin cells, any type of cell! These special cells are called stem cells. Stem cells are normally good, but there are some bad cells that act like stem cells and turn into cancer. I try to figure out what makes a good stem cell different from a bad cancer cell.
Why is it important? Cancer is a very bad disease. It is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and over 1.6 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer in 2013. To invent a medicine or cure for cancer, first we have to understand how it works. My research helps us to better understand cancer, so doctors and other scientists can find better ways to treat cancer in the future.
What do you like about being a scientist? I like so many things about being a scientist! I think scientists can help lots of people through their discoveries, and I really like that. For example, if some of my research helps to find the cure for cancer for one day it would be beyond amazing! I also enjoy solving puzzles, which is a big part of being a scientist.