Communication as the Cornerstone of Science: This chemical biology Ph.D. recipient looks beyond his research

Ken Skinner was not your typical Harvard University Ph.D. student.
In addition to his chemical biology research, the recent graduate worked as a contributor for the online magazine OZY, participated in a mentorship program called Minds Matter and served as co-president of the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Business Club — it is safe to say his interests are diverse.
Skinner received his Ph.D. in chemical biology from Harvard in May 2017. But unlike many Ph.D. students, Skinner pursued interests that extend beyond his technical research. He wants to understand how his work can better impact the world in all industries.

During graduate school, Skinner’s research focused on drug development, specifically understanding how anesthetics affect sensory channels to later develop more patient-friendly drugs.
“I wanted to work in science where I felt like the impact would be beyond just the specific bench that I was working at,” Skinner said. “It’s very translational, and you have to be able to communicate to different fields why your research is important.”
Skinner received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Morehouse College, an all-male liberal arts college in Atlanta that was also attended by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
It was here that he met one of his current mentors: Dr. Brian Lawrence, an associate professor of chemistry at the university. Skinner said Lawrence is one of the smartest people he’s ever met regarding science, and the world at large. It was Lawrence who made Skinner interested in the interface of chemistry and biology. Lawrence previously received his Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard.
“I feel like I’m at the best of both worlds to be able to combine [chemistry and biology],” Skinner said. “I think when you’re able to combine the two it just increases your chances of making an important finding and pushing science forward.”
Beyond his technical research, Skinner focused on learning how scientific work translates into the world at large. He worked as a contributor to an online publication called OZY where he practiced communicating science to broader audiences.
Skinner believes communication is one of the cornerstones of science.
“If you can’t communicate it in written form via a publication, it’s almost like it didn’t happen,” Skinner said. “We almost have a duty to be able to communicate pretty seamlessly — not only the basic fundamental science, but even the far reaching impacts.”
While pursuing his Ph.D., Skinner also wanted to understand the intersection of science and business. Last year he served as co-president of the Harvard School of Arts and Sciences Business Club, where he organized events like mock case studies for its members.

Skinner is passionate about making science accessible to the general public. He is currently working as a scientific writer at Alumina, and will be starting a position at biotechnology company Vertex Pharmaceuticals in September.
Although he is excited for these positions, Skinner recently became interested in teaching after being so positively influenced by Professor Lawrence. Skinner hopes to become a professor who builds similar relationships with his own students. He values the tight-knit atmosphere that a small university like Morehouse provides.
“One of the draws to me is that you’re able to form and build relationships with students, and you’re also able to build relationships around the legacy of Morehouse and what it’s done to help put its students in those positions,” Skinner said. “I think that being able to teach at a small college in a small context that’s devoted to mentoring students and putting them into those next positions really intrigues me.”

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