Since I’m still pretty new around here, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Jessica Harrell and I am the Director of Academic Engagement for the Natural and Quantitative Sciences in the Academic Advising Center. I’m originally from New Orleans, LA, and I love good crawfish, a Mardi Gras parade, and am a die hard Saints fan….Who Dat!
I received a BS in Biochemistry from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!) and worked as a Lab Technician at Tulane Medical Center for two years before entering a biomedical PhD program at UNC-Chapel Hill. My thesis work focused on understanding gastrulation in C. elegans, and I have a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology. I have some pretty cool movies with fluorescent proteins I can show you sometime if you’re interested!
After obtaining my PhD, I spent 9 years in the Office of Graduate Education in the School of Medicine at UNC directing programs for students before making my way to the AAC at Duke. I’ve been here just a little over a year and have spent most of that time working from home. But I’m more hopeful now than I’ve been in awhile that I’m going to be back on campus with my colleagues soon!
On a personal note, my husband Patrick and I have been married for almost 20 years – how is that possible? Don’t I look so young?? Well, we did meet in high school – we were both in the band: I played flute and he played clarinet. We married after college and the 
adventures began! We have two children – a son, now 13, a daughter, 9 going on 16, and a rescue dog, Breesy. (Yes, my son named her after Drew Brees, the famed Saints quarterback.). I’m a serious crafter and always have 100 DIY projects in progress. I also have a serious addiction to ice cream. And coffee. And peanut butter.
I’m looking forward to a great summer and getting to know each of you and hear all about your cool research projects!
