Victoria Schneider

She/Her

I am a lesbian and I am a microbiology PhD candidate.//

I’m a PhD candidate at The Rockefeller University studying the effects of metabolism on antigenic gene expression in malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. I fostered a love for microbiology at The University of Pittsburgh, where I studied bacteriophage biology. Currently, I act in a leadership position for the Science Education and Policy Association (SEPA), a student and post doc led organization among Weill Cornell, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Rockefeller in New York City and part of the larger National Science Policy Network (NSPN). Our group and nationwide network seek to educate scientists on the intersection of science and policy, with a focus on training in communicating to non-scientific audiences. Now more than ever I believe it is paramount for scientists to be more civically engaged and am proud to help facilitate this engagement particularly from a queer perspective. When I have the chance, I love to work with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and champion the voices of fellow queer scientists. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, biking, and exploring the great outdoors. I’m a very proud native (and currently displaced) Pittsburgher championing the black and gold from afar.

Twitter @_torischneider, Instagram @torimarie_s