Kathryn Spencer
Position: Scientific associate in the Cheresh lab.
Duties: Maintaining the imaging facilities for the
lab, helping lab members with microscopy and image analysis,
conducting research.
Background: B.S. from Iowa State University; Ph.D.
from Northwestern University Medical School.
Best part of her job: “I really enjoy helping
people with their projects. It's also nice to have the opportunity
to pursue my own research interests in vascular permeability,
which has relevance for understanding angiogenesis (the development
of new blood vessels) and neural cell damage due to stroke.”
Passion outside work: Playing handbells as a member
of the Crusader Handbell Choir from Pacific Beach Presbyterian
Church. In the choir, each of 12 musicians plays at least
two bells, which range from treble (two or three ounces) to
bass (12 to14 pounds). "We play an expanded version of piano
music—24 bells sounds fuller than the piano notes you
can reach with 10 fingers." Spencer has been playing handbells
for 10 years, and attends practices at least once a week.
Gigs: Spencer has performed at San Diego Symphony
concerts, Pacific Beach tree lightings, Christmas on the Prado,
weddings, funerals, and church services. The Crusader choir
recently cut a CD. On Easter Sunday (April 15), she is scheduled
to make an appearance with the Crusader Handbell Choir on
KNSD, channel 7/39, during the 7 to 8 AM weekend news program.
Handbell mantra: "Handbells are not just for Christmas."
Other interests: Sailboat racing.
Comments: "In science, in sailing, and in music,
you can do so much more as a team than on your own."
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Scientific Associate Kathy Spencer (front
row, left) and her handbell group, the Crusader Handbell Choir,
are scheduled to perform on KNSD, channel 7/39, on Easter
Sunday between 7 and 8 AM.
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