Either a glutton for punishment or passionate about innovation, disruption, and questioning industry norms, Jennifer has worked predominantly with startups driving product development. Gaining early experience as a formulation chemist, Jennifer has continued her career exploring the utilization of biological alternatives and microorganisms in applications ranging from agriculture to cosmetics.

Jennifer previously led the product development and research arm at Mother Dirt, a probiotic skincare company based in Cambridge, MA, and continues to focus on the development of novel products from conception to commercialization with a combination of hands-on formulation experience, resourcefulness, and pragmatic optimism.

An avid diver, Jennifer resides in Boston, in a home with many sentient beings but prefers being underwater to dry land.

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In conversation with Jennifer:

Six word story of your life.
Experimentation loosely based on a plan.

What was your first brush with science?
(Humble brag) Winning the elementary school science fair.

Why do you think bacteria are important?
They are tiny pieces of nucleic acid with such complexity and the ability to completely unravel us.

How do you define science?
Application of observations and experimentation in support of conclusions.

How do you define health?
Physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

What are you currently reading / listening / watching?
Inferior by Angela Saini

Favorite microbiome-nurturing food?
Leafy greens

Scientist, dead or alive, you’d like to eat with?
Leonardo da Vinci

Microbiome perturbation you’re trying to give up.
Skittles

Favorite science joke or best mindgasm fact?
No two people have the exact same mix of microbes.

One fact most people don’t know about you:
I am freakishly buoyant.