Staff Spotlight
Jessica Kooi supports the laboratories of Teri Odom and Nathan Gianneschi,ensuring smooth experimental workflows while continuing her education. She holds a B.S. in Biology and has professional experience in laboratory operations, phlebotomy, and electronic medical records. Her contributions enable efficient, cutting-edge research and reflect her commitment to advancing science while pursuing personal growth.
Can you tell us about your role in the department and how your work helps support our mission?
As a Program Coordinator I support two groups in the behind-the-scenes workings of academic life so that they can focus on conducting high-level research. I assist with a wide variety of tasks, such as helping with travel planning, grants, ordering, and schedules. Beyond the tasks that I directly assist with, my main role is to Know Stuff; if I can’t answer your question, I probably know who to ask.
Before joining Northwestern, what was the most unconventional job you had, and what made it particularly memorable?
I used to work as an In-Patient Phlebotomist at a local hospital, i.e. I drew people’s blood when they were admitted into the hospital. This isn’t a particularly unconventional job, but I collected samples from an unusual diversity of places within the hospital. I went everywhere from pre- & post-op to wound care, ICU to OB, the ER and even sometimes out-patient. It is incredibly humbling to be present to some of the hardest days a person might go through, and to be able to extend even a small bit of comfort in a kind word or short conversation.
If you weren’t working in chemistry, what other career path could you see yourself thriving in?
In an alternate reality, I’m definitely a wildlife photographer. I love being outside! And it would be amazing to be able to contribute to nature documentaries, like Nature and Planet Earth, that I watched growing up.
What’s a moment that made you especially proud to work here, or reminded you why your contributions matter?
I really enjoy interacting with grad students and postdocs in their day-to-day, helping with printing and answering questions. It’s a privilege to walk alongside group members and get to know them as they take the ‘everyday’ small and persistent steps needed to realize larger dreams.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
I am an avid reader of science and speculative fiction, and I would love to talk with one of my favorite authors, Octavia E. Butler. She had a captivating view of humanity and was skilled in expanding that understanding into a vivid, if harrowing, vision for both grounded and fantastical futures. It’d be interesting to hear what stories might have been inspired by the last 20 years.