This week’s Wednesday’s Women in STEM Series features Christina Cobb, a Portland local and one of our STEM Like a Girl volunteers. Read on to hear how she became interested in chemistry and biology and how she’s studying gut microbes and kombucha while in the process of applying to medical school.
1. When/how did you first become interested in STEM?
As a little girl, I loved animals and would fish drowning insects out of the swimming pool in my attempt to keep them alive. All sorts of creatures fascinated me and I knew I wanted to learn more about them, so I aspired to be a veterinarian. Science quickly became my favorite subject in school as it started to answer some of my questions about animal traits. I loved science because it encouraged me to be curious, and gave me a better understanding of how things work and why things are the way they are. As I got older, my desire to be a veterinarian shifted into wanting to become a doctor because I loved to connect with people and help others.
2. Where did you go to school and what did you study?
I went to Claremont McKenna College and I studied biology. In high school, I had an amazing chemistry teacher who served as an incredible female mentor in science. She made chemistry easy for me to understand. Because of this, I went into college hoping to major in chemistry. However, that soon changed from chemistry to biology when I was taking both introductory classes at the same time and realized I was much more interested in the various topics within the field of biology.
3. What is your current career/profession and how do you use your interests in STEM on a day-to-day basis?
I’m currently in the process of applying to medical school, so I have roughly 1-2 years off before starting school again. In the interim, I’m learning about the microbiology of the gut and working for SOMA Kombucha here in Portland, OR. I’m also volunteering up at OHSU in my free time. In my final year of college, I became very interested in gut health, probiotics and fermentation, and had the opportunity to write my senior thesis on the potential link between gut microbes and depression. In the future, I hope to further explore how we can use probiotics therapeutically, and how we can emphasize gut health in order to promote one’s well-being.
4. What do you like most about your current job? What do you find most challenging?
I love learning about microbiology through kombucha and interacting with customers in the taproom. The taproom provides a unique space to talk about health and wellness. I love to learn about the ways customers are using probiotics, specifically kombucha, to improve their health. The most challenging part of my job is the physically demanding aspects of working in a brewery, as well as the unexpected issues that often come with working out the kinks of a startup company.
5. What advice would you give to young girls who are interested in pursuing STEM activities or careers?
If something interests you, explore it! Don’t be afraid to ask questions and dig deeper into why something works (or doesn’t work!). Also, don’t give up! There were many times when my science classes in college were tough and I wanted to quit, but I’m so glad I pushed through them. I ultimately knew I loved science and made the active decision to stick with the subject even when it was difficult.
