Q&A with Chioma Odo, MID PhD Student

Chioma Odo is a recently graduated PhD student in the Microbiology and Infectious Diseases program in the lab of Samuel Shelburne, PhD. During her time at the Graduate School, she worked on identifying the key molecular mechanism that enabled a new strain of M4 Group A Streptococcus to emerge, expand, and replace an existing strain.

As a child, Odo fell in love with science after being taught by her uncle. She later attended a science-focused high school that solidified her passion and set her on a path to her PhD.

Odo joined the MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in the fall of 2019. After a rotation in the lab of Samuel Shelburne, PhD, she knew working with him would give her the exposure and support she needed to succeed.

Throughout her studies at the Graduate School, Odo redefined herself through a journey of self-discovery. Her advice to current students is to think highly of themselves and says that a student's best asset in graduate school is their own self-concept.

What ignited your passion for science?

When I was in junior high school, my uncle taught me science as if there were no other subject. He made the concepts so relatable that it was easy to fall in love with the field. I attended a specialized science high school, and since then, science has been my one and only passion. I have never considered any other career.

Why did you choose the Graduate School for your research education?

I attended the MBID symposium and was very impressed by the Graduate School students' presentations. After that, I attended every Graduate School event, and the more I learned about the school, the more it became my first choice.

How did you choose a lab or advisor?

I wanted an advisor who would be patient enough to tailor their mentorship to what I needed. I also wanted a lab with either postdocs or a senior research scientist who could provide guidance and support. The Shelburne lab fit these criteria perfectly, and one week into my rotation, I was convinced I had found the advisor I wanted. Shelburne exceeded my expectations; he was involved, and at the same time gave me the freedom to work on my project. With him, research became an adventure.

What is your current research about, and how did you choose it?

My research is focused on identifying the key molecular mechanism that enabled a new strain of M4 Group A Streptococcus to emerge, expand, and replace an existing strain. I chose the project after seeing a poster at the Microbiology and Infectious Diseases program orientation presented by the Shelburne lab. I found their project interesting, and I decided to rotate in their lab. I worked with them on the project during my rotation, and I was hooked.

What do you want to do after you graduate, and what are your goals for your career?

I want to transition into the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. I love science communication and the business of science, and I'm looking for roles in those areas.

What has been your biggest success?

Not giving up when I had more than enough reason to quit.

What has been your biggest lesson, and how did you overcome it?

I listened to certain assumptions about myself to the point where I believed them, and I eventually lost touch with my true self. It has taken me years, but I have been on a journey of self-rediscovery, redefinition, and redesign. I am far from where I want to be, but I am better than I used to be.

What advice would you give a first-year student?

Be kind to yourself. Regardless of the situation, think highly of yourself, because your self-perception will determine your expression in life. You will have many opportunities to doubt yourself, but your experience in graduate school depends on your self-concept.

What's something you like to do when you're not in the lab?

I come alive in the kitchen. It's just another lab where I perform food experiments and enjoy the excitement of creating new recipes and recreating old ones.