May 17, 2018
Meet Blair Benham-Pyle ’06, a passionate scientist on her way to solving important scientific questions destined to improve our world. Blair is doing her post-doctoral research in regenerative medicine at the Stowers Institute, a highly innovative center for biomedical research. She’s currently immersed in studying the cute, but highly unusual, planarian flatworm, an organism that exists by breaking apart and cloning itself. Unlike other organisms in the process of regeneration, these worms amazingly do not get tumors or show signs of aging.
“My job as a scientist is to understand—through rigorous study in the lab—how they are able to control stem cell growth so robustly that they can protect themselves against cancer and aging,” explains Blair. “We want to know their life strategies and how a tiny group of cells can be cleaved off without damaging their basic blueprint. In layperson’s terms, we are trying to break apart that black box and apply our discoveries to improve human health.”
Blair has always had the heart and mind of a scientist, recalling her many opportunities to experiment at MPA and delve deeply into subjects of interest with her teachers. She appreciates that she was given freedom to explore across many disciplines, including ethics, constitutional law, and writing. Evidence of these skillsets is seen in her work today.
“As a scientist,” she reflects, “I believe storytelling is especially important. We have to be able to study the esoteric mysteries of the subjects we research, while communicating effectively to funders and other stakeholders the ultimate value of the idea we wish to pursue.” Asked how her work will make the world a better place, Blair explains, “Essentially, if we want to solve problems of aging in humans or how to repair damaged tissues, one strategy is to study organisms that don’t suffer from aging or develop cancer—ones that are able to reverse damage through healthy and controlled regeneration.”
There is a palpable passion in her voice as she describes her work today. And Blair is very much the epitome of the well-rounded MPA alumna. When she graduated as a member of the 13-Year Club and headed off to Yale University, she took with her a profound sense of curiosity, courage, and agency to direct her own intellectual interests. A trip to study forests in Ecuador during her sophomore year inspired her to pursue a joint Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in biophysics and biochemistry. She then did a year-long internship on a Henry Luce Scholarship in Shanghai, affording ample opportunities to enjoy travel throughout Asia. Blair obtained her Ph.D. at Stanford School of Medicine in cancer biology. Her college career, however, was not just limited to academics. She co-founded the Yale Bio-Ethics Society and at Stanford, served as president of the Bioscience Student Association on campus, finding a way to blend science with community engagement.
MPA wishes Blair continued success as she pursues this incredible work.
Read more MPA alumni features in the Spring 2018 edition of MPA Now here!
