Doctoral Candidate Jessica Placido Wins J. Edgar Hoover
Foundation Scientific Scholarship
A St. John’s University graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in
Pharmaceutical Sciences with a specialization in Toxicology has
been awarded the prestigious J. Edgar Hoover
Foundation Scientific Scholarship. This annual award is given
to only one student in the U.S. from an elite pool of
applicants.
St. John’s University is one of only 12 institutions nationwide
that qualified to nominate someone for this prestigious award.
The student, Jessica Placido ‘07GP, plans to use the scholarship
award to purchase research equipment that will benefit her doctoral
research at St. John’s, while strengthening the analytical
performance of her laboratory within the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
“I am delighted that Jessica has been awarded this scholarship,”
said S. William Zito, Ph.D.,
Associate Dean and Professor of
Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Zito is Jessica’s mentor and has
known the 28-year-old since 2005, when her master’s degree research
led her to his lab. “Jessica is an intelligent, creative, diligent
and enthusiastic researcher and is a pleasure to have in the
laboratory. She really is a great asset to our research group.”
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from
Fairfield University, Jessica considered going to medical or dental
school. However, her passion for science and law enforcement led
her to pursue both her master’s and doctoral degrees at St. John’s.
Her specific interest in toxicology stems from a summer internship
in the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office. “My ultimate
goal is to be a civilian scientist with the FBI or the DEA,” said
the resident of nearby Hastings-on-Hudson, NY.
On campus and in the field, Jessica is always busy. When not
involved in her research, she serves as a teaching fellow in the
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, a position she has held
since 2007. She is also an officer in the Graduate Student Association, a
student leader in the Society
of Toxicology and is a member of the Rho Chi Pharmaceutical
Sciences Honor Society.
Jessica’s doctoral thesis focuses on controlled substances and
drugs of abuse, an area that is quickly gaining the attention of
the toxicology community. “In recent years, there has been a
serious increase in the amount of prescription drugs that are being
abused with alcohol at the same time – especially with adolescents
and young adults,” she said, explaining her interest in the
subject.
In doing her research, Jessica has gone to her mentor Dr. Zito
for both inspiration and assistance. “He is a phenomenal medicinal
chemist. He knows so much about drug structures and properties and
how certain drugs react with other drugs — all of which is
essential to my project,” said Jessica. “He’s been a wonderful
mentor and has really helped me reach my goals.”