Julia Furnari ’20

About

I graduated in May 2020 and was hired by Columbia University Irving Medical Center as a Research Technician in the Department of Neurosurgery. I am the Tumor Bank Technician for the Gabriele Bartoli Brain Tumor Research Laboratory. My responsibilities include working side-by-side with neurosurgeons and residents to retrieve human research specimens intraoperatively, processing and banking these specimens, and allocating other specimens to other researchers in the institution.

My favorite aspect of this position is that I get to see the clinical side of science after working in research with Dr. Ann Aguanno for almost four years. The basic research skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and primary literature analysis, along with years of tissue culture experience, have put me at an advantage when starting this position. My other experiences at MMC have taught me how to communicate and work with professionals of all education levels. On a daily basis, I work with MDs, PhDs, MAs, and BSs like myself and must share scientific information with them. I have already learned an extraordinary amount from all of them.

I am looking forward to learning more about science in a clinical setting to prepare me for my future endeavors, and I am thankful for the faculty in MMC’sNatural Sciences Department for preparing me for this experience!