Florence Chardon’s introduction to scientific concepts started when she was old enough to understand dinnertime conversations with her parents and two older sisters. Her mother and father, both European physicists, would hold court usually on one of two topics: science or world politics.
Listening to Chardon, a Ph.D. candidate in the UW Medicine Department of Genome Sciences, it is evident she chose the right career path. She finds conducting experiments in laboratories using CRISPR, the gene editing tool, is much more challenging and interesting than raising money for reelection campaigns.
She uses her problem-solving and quantitative mindset every day and loves the combination of experimental and computational work of genomics, as well as the combination of creativity and logic in her research.
“The field of genomics today is moving at an exceptionally rapid pace,” Chardon said. “It seems as though we’re seeing new, impactful developments every two months in this space. All these innovations build on each other and they plant the seeds for future innovation.”
It is also evident that Chardon, 29, will play an important role in the future of scientific innovation, a hallmark of the Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine.
“Flo is determined, focused, and perseverant,” said Dr. Lea Starita, one of her two scientific advisers, as well as serving as an assistant professor of Genome Sciences and co-director of the Brotman Baty Advanced Technology Lab. “With those traits, combined with her ever-present optimism, she is destined to excel in genomic research or any other area of science she pursues after finishing her Ph.D.”
Chardon hopes to complete her doctorate in the spring of 2023 and plans to explore a career with a startup firm. It is critical, she said, that scientific research, regardless of the field, “become something valuable to society;” it needs, eventually, to lead to the development of commercial products whether that be pharmaceuticals, laboratory equipment, or quantum computers.
She believes her graduate work is preparing her well for such an endeavor.
“Graduate school teaches you to be a good scientist,” Chardon said. “I’ve learned how to drive a successful project forward, including making critical decisions at key times and taking full responsibility for these decisions. These are essential skills for contributing meaningfully to any team, including that of a startup.”
