Pet Spotlight
At Fox Chase Cancer Center, groundbreaking discoveries don’t just happen in the lab - they’re often inspired, comforted, and motivated by the loyal companions waiting for us at home. Our pets may not pipette, but they certainly play a role in supporting the scientists who do! From wagging tails after a long day of experiments to quiet purrs during late-night manuscript writing, these four-legged (and sometimes feathered or scaled!) friends keep our spirits high and our work moving forward.
In this issue, we highlight the beloved pets of our trainees. Whether they’re supervising Zoom meetings, keeping laps warm while we analyze data, or reminding us to step outside for fresh air, our pets are integral members of the Fox Chase Trainees family.
Adrian Dizon, Graduate student
Fun fact: Tennis Ball Retriever Extraordinaire!
Stephen Willis, Postdoc
Fun fact: She's a Temple University rescue!
Emma Guilbaud, Postdoc
Fun fact: She loves fruits and vegetables, but doesn't like meat at all. She also loves eating flowers and all kinds of paper tissues (you have to hide them around the house).
Nick Maskalenko, Postdoc
Fun fact: Marge is effectively blind now, but even in her old age she still has a 5,000 foot stare that simultaneously conveys that she comprehends all of your secrets and yet has never once had the burden of a thought appear in her head. Like the Mona Lisa, the eyes in the picture follow you across the room... despite sort of pointing in two different directions.
Anastasiia Gerasimova, Graduate student
Fun fact: She smells like a popcorn.
Ariane Rocha Bartolome, Postdoc
Fun fact: Nutmeg was born in America, but now she is Brazilian in her little heart. She looks like my twin with her lil brazilian t-shirt.
Flaviane Silva, Graduate student
Fun fact: Every day, he bursts outside like he’s about to hug/conquer the entire world.
Flaviane Silva, Graduate student
Fun fact: We call her Lightning McQueen because her legs think they’re race cars!
Aizhan Surumbayeva, Graduate student
Fun fact: Joji is polydactyl-he’s got extra toes!
Aizhan Surumbayeva, Graduate student
Fun fact: He’s the ultimate cuddle king. He loves to sleep touching both mom and dad at the same time.
Anastasiia Gerasimova, Graduate student
Fun fact: snores like a chainsaw, farts without shame, and generally acts like a grumpy little grandpa
Anna Rastorgueva, Graduate student
Fun fact: She bites me in the morning
Anna Rastorgueva, Graduate student
Fun fact: He has bad eyesight so sometimes I think about buying him glasses
Robert Betsch, Sci-Tech
Fun fact: Brie's favorite spot to lounge is on the loveseat in the picture. It's the perfect height for her to see out the window and people watch.
Alyssa Russo, Sci-Tech
Fun fact: He loves to sleep face down.
Theodore Nguyen, Graduate student
Fun fact: Eggplant is a chow chow mix, which gives him his unique tongue and floof!