Jennifer DeCotiis-Mauro (STA ’02) received her Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Health Sciences (formerly UMDNJ) and B.S. in Biology from Seton Hall University.  While an undergraduate student, Jennifer performed research on Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.  This experience provided her with the desire to pursue her Ph.D..  As a Ph.D. student, Jennifer continued to study Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, focusing on how the virus manipulates normal cell function to cause disease progression.  In addition to her studies, Jennifer served as treasurer of both the Graduate Student Association and Alliance for Career Advancement.  As part of these organizations, she helped design and implement programs to provide her fellow students with resources to excel both during and after graduate school. 
“My time at Saint Thomas not only laid the foundation for my academic achievements, but for my career goals and aspirations.  The emphasis on service from a young age encouraged me to pursue career options that would allow me to help others and motivated me to improve the lives of my fellow graduate students.  I am forever grateful that my parents chose to send me to a grammar school that taught me not only the value of learning, but of assisting others.”