Jason R. McCarthy

Associate Professor and Scientific Operations Manager, Masonic Medical Research Institute

Ph.D. 2003

Brückner Group

Science is more collaborative than ever and you need to be able to have thoughtful discussions with those across fields to truly have the greatest impact.

What is your current (or most recent) job, what does a typical day look like, and how did UConn prepare you for this role?

As part of the leadership of a small, but rapidly growing independent research institute, I wear many hats.  While I still run my research group, focused on the development of materials for drug delivery and molecular imaging, that is only a small part of what I do.  A large portion of my time is devoted to helping run the Institute, from scientific operations, to strategic planning, to the construction of our newly renovated laboratories.  The ability to have such a diverse role has been facilitated by the strong scientific foundations formed while in graduate school, onto which I have built my career.

Tell us about your experience as a Chemistry student at UConn.

I joined the Chemistry Department in 1999, initially as a Masters student.  Once I started research, though, I was hooked and quickly switched to a doctoral track.  I was lucky to be in a lab with like-minded peers who still remain part of my life.  We were inseparable during my time there and both worked and played hard.  During my time at UConn, we put together a softball team with other grad students and department staff to compete with the other departments over the summer – the Acid Bases – which I believe is still in existence today.

Can you tell us about your experience post-graduation?

After leaving UConn, I went to the Center for Molecular Imaging Research at the Massachusetts General Hospital as a postdoctoral fellow to develop activatable photodynamic therapy agents.  While there, I learned the biology relevant to disease and diversified my research interests to include nanomedicine and imaging.  After a little over two years I was promoted to faculty, and was able to build my own research program.  After 15 years at the MGH, I moved my research group to the Masonic Medical Research Institute, where I currently reside.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to current students?

Become an expert in your area of interest but learn as much about everything else as possible.  Science is more collaborative than ever and you need to be able to have thoughtful discussions with those across fields to truly have the greatest impact.