Trainee Tuesday – Isabelle Cullen

Welcome to ASPE Trainee Tuesday!

Here at the Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE), we take pride in our leading team of clinicians, scientists, and trainees. Our trainees include a multi-disciplined group of Postdoctoral Fellows, Undergraduate and Graduate Students, Clinical Research Coordinators, Data Analysts, and Research Specialists. 

At ASPE, not only do our trainees have the opportunity to apply what they are learning to meaningful scientific research, but they are also encouraged to explore professional and scientific opportunities to lead them to successful scientific careers at both Penn and beyond.  

Our trainees do not go unnoticed for their exceptional achievements, ongoing commitment to ASPE, and substantial contributions made to the research community. 

For our next Trainee Tuesday, meet Isabelle Cullen – Graduate Student in the Brodkin Lab!

Isabelle has been a member of the ASPE team for about a year and a half, working in Dr. Edward S. Brodkin’s lab. Keep reading to learn all about Isabelle, her service dog Theo, and the research she has contributed to during her time at ASPE.

1. Tell us a bit about your responsibilities as your role for ASPE.

As a graduate student in Dr. Brodkin’s lab, I am leading several different initiatives. Currently, I am working on writing my candidacy exam, which allows me to start pursuing my dissertation work. In addition to this, I am working on a meta-analysis looking at olfactory dysfunction (altered or impaired sense of smell) in autism with Thomas, a Clinical Research Coordinator in our lab, and Peace Maddox, a master’s student at Temple.

2. What made you join the ASPE team?

When I was interviewing for Penn, Dr. Zhou told me about ASPE and the ability to translate animal research to humans. I believe that translating our findings from bench to bedside to be the future for understanding autism.

3. Can you share a bit about your educational background, and any future academic or professional plans?

I went to the University of Oregon for undergraduate and graduated with a BS in Neuroscience and a minor in Biology. As for future endeavors, I will be taking time throughout my PhD to explore different careers such as data science, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academia.

4. What’s been the most interesting thing you have gotten the chance to work on at ASPE?

For my Spring rotation project, I’ve been working with data from the Penn ASPE Sleep study – examining how reported sensory sensitivities differ between autistic males and females!

5. What was the most valuable thing you learned during your time at ASPE?

Learning how to work with large datasets in Python!

6. Fun fact you’d like to share?

Theo is my service dog in-training for my disabilities. He is a 2-year-old Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier!