Joanna Zarach(1993)

College/Degrees

BS in Biology; BS in Brain and Cognitive Science – MIT 1998
PhD in Neuroscience – Johns Hopkins University 2004

Employer/Job Title

Obama For America – Budget and Financial Strategy
Previous employer – McKinsey & Co – Engagement Manager

Accomplishments

PGSS was a pivotal experience of my life – it was the first time I was exposed to the broader disciplines of science beyond what my high
school and local college could offer to me. This opportunity combined with meeting many of the brightest students in PA contributed
tremendously to my drive and ambition. For the first time, I felt I was challenged to study topics that were not rudimentary and do it
amongst people my own age who were also exceptional. Even though the friendships may be dormant, the bond of the experience and our
common interest in science and engineering will always remain.
NaN
The Governor’s School was the only program that was truly merit based and open to student of all socio-economic classes. This is now
rare – as I see more and more for-profit programs that exclude those with potential and without means, creating a larger chiasm in our
socio-economic patchwork. Being a first generation immigrant, such a program allowed me to experience the world beyond the small
town I was living in at the time. After Governor’s school I had all the confidence in the world to apply to many top schools and being
accepted to them – I chose to go to MIT which continued to challenge me in the areas of science and engineering. I credit my attendance
at PGSS as one of the strong points in my application. In college I realized that many of my fellow PGSS students also went on to top
schools – and I felt like I was a part of a bigger community that now has expanded it’s reach beyond those few weeks in the summer at
Carnegie Mellon.
NaN
It would be a disasterous decision to eliminate this program – I think every effort should be made to continue this program – whether
funded with State money or a non-profit fundraising effort. Merit programs are shrinking fast and being replaced with programs where
influence and connctions are the criteria for admission. We need to encourage bright and brilliant minds to pursue science or our nation

Testimonial

PGSS was a pivotal experience of my life – it was the first time I was exposed to the broader disciplines of science beyond what my high school and local college could offer to me. This opportunity combined with meeting many of the brightest students in PA contributed tremendously to my drive and ambition. For the first time, I felt I was challenged to study topics that were not rudimentary and do it amongst people my own age who were also exceptional. Even though the friendships may be dormant, the bond of the experience and our common interest in science and engineering will always remain. The Governor’s School was the only program that was truly merit based and open to student of all socio-economic classes. This is now rare – as I see more and more for-profit programs that exclude those with potential and without means, creating a larger chiasm in our socio-economic patchwork. Being a first generation immigrant, such a program allowed me to experience the world beyond the small townI was living in at the time. After Governor’s school I had all the confidence in the world to apply to many top schools and being accepted to them – I chose to go to MIT which continued to challenge me in the areas of science and engineering. I credit my attendance at PGSS asone of the strong points in my application. In college I realized that many of my fellow PGSS students also went on to top schools – and I felt like I was a part of a bigger community that now has expanded it’s reach beyond those few weeks in the summer at Carnegie Mellon. It would be a disasterous decision to eliminate this program – I think every effort should be made to continue this program – whether funded with State money or a non-profit fundraising effort. Merit programs are shrinking fast and being replaced with programs where influence and connctions are the criteria for admission. We need to encourage bright and brilliant minds to pursue science or our nation will quickly fall behind in the race to better our lives and save our planet.