One of our most recent alumnae, Dr. Christine Leon Swisher spoke with us about juggling her passions for science and dance, simultaneously pursuing a PhD and dancing with the 49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders. Christine received an NSF fellowship and completed her degree in June 2014, studying with Professor Dan Vigneron at UCSF. How did you get to your current job?
I studied Biomedical Engineering at Arizona State University, where I worked in a Biomaterials lab using NMR to characterize the polymers I synthesized, and to develop x-ray visible polymers for the treatment of vascular malformations and tumors. After learning about the power of NMR, I made a switch from biomaterials to radiology, which was my focus in graduate school. There I developed tools to study the metabolic reprogramming that occurs in cancer, as well as tools that could aid in early detection of cancer using hyperpolarized carbon-13 MRI.
I’m now a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. I still work in molecular imaging, but I have pivoted my research focus from clinical systems to the development of low cost point-of-care devices.
My new group is well known for preparing young scientist for academic careers: my dream job. I feel very honored to be part of the group. Moreover, I think the work coming out the group has the potential to make a tremendous impact on healthcare.
What is awesome about your job?
The people I work with. They are so intelligent, I can’t believe I get to work with such great minds. I also get a lot of independence and I am challenged each day.
What was the most unexpected thing your current job?
The thing I was not expecting, although I should have, was that in grad school I had peers that were right at the same place as me. But now I’m on my own. The path is uncharted, but at the same time I have a lot of independence. It’s different and scary, but a great challenge. The graduate program did a great job preparing me.
What do you want to do next?
Long term, I want to improve diagnosis and treatment of cancer for patients as both an educator of future scientists and a researcher, and maybe someday even as the leader of my own lab. In the near future, I want to do exciting science and get on track for a PI position.
You were both a full-time PhD student and a 49ers cheerleader for three years. How did you manage to do both?
It was hard. I think time management was the most important skill I had to learn. I worked a lot! But I loved it and it was so much fun. Science and dance are my two great passions in life. They are so rewarding in very different ways. I am so incredibly thankful that I got to do both with such amazing organizations. It’s like all the stars aligned. I always say the Bay Area is where all my dreams came true, and it is true.
How did you get started in cheerleading?
Most of us are studio-trained dancers. My mother owned a dance studio from when I was about three years old. My entire childhood was spent in that studio, so naturally I developed a love of dance. There aren’t many opportunities for dancing after college and I always loved football, so I tried out for an NFL team. I must admit there is absolutely nothing like the feeling of performing in front of 60,000+ people with the roar of the crowd – it is amazing. I don’t think there is a bigger or better stage.
What did you find rewarding about cheerleading? What would surprise people?
Hands down, the most rewarding part of being a part of the NFL was the friendships I made. My closest friends, I made through the NFL.
People would be surprised how physically demanding it is and how large a commitment it took. We would have 7+ hour practices on Saturdays, followed by game day where we might be exercising for 10 hours. The next Monday morning walking up the stairs to the second floor was the worst!
The most surprising thing people would find is that we are not at all like the stereotype of an NFL cheerleader. Most women are quite accomplished. My teammates included other engineers, one who is getting her MBA at Harvard, other PhD students, lawyers, nurses, several entrepreneurs, etc. They were very classy, ambitious, and we all shared a love of dancing.
How did your academic colleagues react to your cheer career, and vice versa?
Berkeley and UCSF people are the absolute best! I couldn’t have chosen a more supportive group to join. They are the most open-minded, welcoming group. Sometimes, I would try to keep it a secret because I was scared of repercussions from the stereotype. However, everyone always proved me wrong because they were so kind to me and interested.
What do cheer and science careers have in common? Were there lessons that crossed over?
Cheer and science sound so glamorous, but day-to-day they are hard work. They require tons of dedication, positivity, and commitment.
I was pretty shy and lacked confidence in public speaking when I started graduate school; the NFL provided opportunities to gain confidence in public speaking. I had interviews on radio stations and TV stations tackling controversial questions. Strange as it may sound, it really helped me prepare for my qualifying exams and giving talks – including the interview talks that got me my current job.
Any favorite moments?
My most memorable moment has to be the closing moments of the 49ers versus Saints game during the playoffs in 2012. Alex Smith threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with 9 seconds left on the clock, sending us to a home NFC Championship game. I had every emotion of fear, excitement, sadness, and joy all within that last 60 seconds. I had goosebumps as the crowd was going wild. The fans were like a red sea, and I was right there in the middle of all of it – on the field. It was truly amazing. I totally broke character and started crying. Tears of joy, of course. The 49ers were the underdogs at the time, which very much paralleled my life outside of the NFL.
Do you miss anything about Berkeley/UCSF and graduate school?
I miss my friends from the program the most. The most important experience I had was the entire first year, it was transformative.
Any advice for current students?
Be involved, be positive, and believe in yourself! The unique opportunities provided by the grad program really made my resume stand out when I was looking for job. Plus, I made tons of friendship that I am so grateful for. Also, I know how tedious and frustrating research can be, but just being positive and believing in yourself makes life much easier.
Coming to the joint graduate program was the best decision I ever made. It changed my life. Thanks UC Berkeley-UCSF BioE!