Vesper Fraunfelter

From a very young age, I’ve known that science was what I wanted to dedicate my life to. I get to be intensely curious and it can save lives, what a win-win! In pursuing this, I graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a B.S. in Chemistry. At UNCA, I did research in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry with Drs. Amanda Wolfe and Ryan Steed centered around developing antibiotics active against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. My work lead me to develop a plasmid for the heterologous expression of P. aeruginosa ATP synthase, and this work uncovered my passion for genetics. I came to Duke to further my knowledge of genetics, and I intend to use the knowledge gained here as a springboard toward a Ph.D. in Genetics. My end goal is to combine my love for genetics with my passion for health equity by participating in gene therapy research to cure diseases, save lives, and restore the quality of life for those affected by genetic disorders.

One of my driving philosophies is to experience as much as possible, if for no other reason than to have better stories to tell. As such, I love to travel and try new things! The more animals I find, the more cultures I experience, and the more people I get to meet, the happier I am. I’m often found spending time with my partner Alex, my cat Quinn, and my friends. When I’m not working or traveling, I love to go bowling, play video games and Dungeons and Dragons, go camping, hike, and explore the cities around me. Any local restaurant recommendations are always appreciated (Thai or Indian food especially)