Rebecca Mellema
She/Her
I am asexual and I am an immunologist.//
Hello! I am a graduate student at the University of Utah studying the role of platelet interactions with the molecule Hyaluronan
I did not realize that there was a word for what I was until after I completed my undergraduate studies at Whitman College. All I knew for sure was that I was not interested in women, so I (incorrectly) assumed that my default was “straight,” despite having no interest in men as well. I felt drawn to the LGTBQA+ community, even thought I identified at the time as an ally. My realization about my sexuality occurred in the year after my graduation, when I stumbled upon an online quiz that introduced the term “asexual” to me. Fast-forward to today where I am now proudly identifying as an aro/ace, and can unironically say “I’m an ace scientist.”
As is a common theme in my personal narrative, I originally believed that I was destined to be a doctor. Nowadays, my passion for studying diseases has led me to pursuing a Ph.D in Immunology. I am currently interested in pursuing science communication, specifically science writing. I began a blog entitled “Getting The Science Write” focusing on how to accurately incorporate scientific concepts in fiction. When I am not studying platelets, my interests include cycling (mountain and road), running, rock climbing, table top role playing games, and creative writing.