Meet Megan Hershfield, a scientist at West Point and a third year AEOP Fellow!  Megan always loved art and decided to pursue art therapy in college. In her second year, however, she took a psychopharmacology class and became much more interested in disorders and neurodegenerative conditions. From there, she decided to study neuroscience in both undergraduate and graduate programs.

While working towards her PhD, Megan’s husband was deployed to Germany. She had her first child in Europe. She is now living in the United States with her four children. When her youngest turned three and went to preschool in 2019, she decided to jump back into science. Megan worked at the Institute of Surgical Research in San Antonio, Texas, until her husband was sent to West Point. Here, Megan interviewed and was offered a staff scientist position, which is how she was first introduced to the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)!

At West Point, she works in the Multi-Functional Materials Laboratory under the Chemistry and Life Science department head, COL F. John Burpo, collaborating with chemists who create materials for Megan to then test for potential cell adhesion along the biotic-abiotic interface. Right now, she’s working with a “promising” synthetic extracellular matrix scaffold.

AEOP’s Impact

Regarding what she gains from the AEOP Fellowship program, Megan says she appreciates how it helps her grow as a scientist. AEOP supports her in a way that explicitly prepares her for a full career as a scientist beyond the West Point lab. From resume advice to guidance on crafting a thirty second elevator pitch, AEOP support for her across professional areas. 

One particular moment that stood out to Megan was during a professional development seminar that covered imposter syndrome. Megan left that seminar appreciating that she was not the only one who compared her successes to others. “Everything fails in science – period,” she explained. “It’s 99 percent frustration and tears, but that one time where your experiment goes well, it’s like: yes!” she exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. 

Another beneficial resource Megan has gained from AEOP is a Travel Award. She was invited to present at a synthetic biology conference, two years in a row! The second year was an oral presentation, which was both an achievement and an intimidating challenge: “My sympathetic nervous system was absolutely in hyper drive that day.” The Travel Award fully paid for Megan to attend and present. 

Receiving the travel award also allowed Megan to network with other researchers, leading to further opportunities. She has since been invited to present a talk on artificial cells to a synthetic biology workshop for high school teachers at the Soldier Center in Natick, Massachusetts.

Embracing Lifelong Learning

Megan is a lifelong learner; her next steps involve finishing her PhD program. When thinking of pathways for others, Megan has some sound advice: “Allow yourself the opportunity to try many different things before you make up your mind.” Megan’s switch from art therapy to presenting at STEM conferences was not her original plan, but, as she says, “I’m still figuring out what I’m doing, but I’m excited about what I am confronting every day.” Give yourself the opportunity to find what you love.

When asked about advice around the AEOP Fellowships program, her response was immediate: “Oh, I would absolutely do it.” A great support network, professional development and guidance when trying to figure out where you fit in are all reasons to apply for this opportunity.

Learn more about AEOP Fellowships here.