Science Alliance - About Us

Meet the Director: Monica L. Kerr, PhD

Monica Kerr earned her PhD in cell and developmental biology from the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program at Harvard Medical School. Here she worked with Lewis Cantley, who discovered PI 3-kinase, identifying a new component in the PI 3-kinase pathway through a proteome-wide screen for novel phosphoinositide binding proteins. She then explored the role of this previously uncharacterized protein in Norbert Perrimon’s laboratory, employing functional genetic techniques in Drosophila.

Leaving the bench but remaining at Harvard, Monica subsequently moved over to the Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Department to focus on higher education as an instructor and curriculum fellow. She taught and developed science-based curricula for undergraduate, graduate, and medical school science courses, as well as led career advancement initiatives for science PhDs. Throughout her tenure at Harvard, Monica founded a new professional development series for life scientists, received two teaching awards, and was selected to participate in the Harvard Macy Institute’s Program for Educators in Health Professions.

Monica joined the New York Academy of Sciences in February 2010 as the Director of Science Alliance.

About the Science Alliance Program

The New York Academy of Sciences' Science Alliance program is a partnership between the Academy and a consortium of universities, teaching hospitals, independent research facilities and organizations committed to advancing the careers of individuals in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. The Alliance offers programs and services focused on career education, development and training provided through seminars, courses, webinars, and a dedicated website.