Women in Science - Online Interviews

Terri O'Neill

1. Give a brief description of your job telling what you do, (a day in your life) but also what you do specifically in your position.

I am the Section Head of the Clinical Cytogenetics laboratory at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Our lab obtains bone marrow samples from leukemia patients. We then analyze the chromosomes, identifying any abnormalities of the chromosomes. Identifying the abnormalities is important in giving the patients the correct treatment for their disease. As a section head, it is my job to supervise the daily activities of receiving patient samples and reporting the results.

2. How did you decide upon your career? When did you know you wanted to do it and how did you prepare for it?

My first career choice was special education. After taking several genetic courses in college I realized that I was very much interested in the field of genetics. There were no formal schools for the field of cytogenetics but there was a school for the field of cytology. After a year at UTCHS, I received a BS in cytology. Upon graduating in 1982 I was offered the job at St. Jude as a cytogenetic technologist. I've been there ever since.

3. What is the best thing about your job?

I know everyday that I am doing my part to help save the lives of the children at St Jude. My job also reminds me of how blessed I am to have two healthy children and not to take life for granted.

4. What do you like the least?

The thing I like least about my job is that we can't save every child's life that has leukemia yet.

5. As a kid, what kinds of things did you do to prepare for this job? What books did you read or what things did you do that let you know you would like this field?

As a kid, I didn't know that I wanted to work in this field, but science always interested me.

6. Was there any person (parent, teacher, mentor, professor) you felt influenced you to pursue this field?

My fifth grade science teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Barnett; and two college professors at University of Memphis-Dr. Biggers and Dr. Beck.

7. What is your favorite quote?

"With God, all things are possible."

8. What advice do you have for young women who might be interested in the field of science?

Study hard, stay focused and never give up on your dream.

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1.	Give a brief description of your job telling what you do, (a day in your life) but also what you do specifically in your position.
	I am the Section Head of the Clinical Cytogenetics laboratory at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Our lab obtains bone marrow samples from leukemia patients. We then analyze the chromosomes, identifying any abnormalities of the chromosomes. Identifying the abnormalities is important in giving the patients the correct treatment for their disease. As a section head, it is my job to supervise the daily activities of receiving patient samples and reporting the results.
2.	How did you decide upon your career? When did you know you wanted to do it and how did you prepare for it?
	My first career choice was special education. After taking several genetic courses in college I realized that I was very much interested in the field of genetics. There were no formal schools for the field of cytogenetics but there was a school for the field of cytology. After a year at UTCHS, I received a BS in cytology. Upon graduating in 1982 I was offered the job at St. Jude as a cytogenetic technologist. I've been there ever since.
3.	What is the best thing about your job?
	I know everyday that I am doing my part to help save the lives of the children at St Jude. My job also reminds me of how blessed I am to have two healthy children and not to take life for granted.
4.	What do you like the least?
	The thing I like least about my job is that we can't save every child's life that has leukemia yet.
5.	As a kid, what kinds of things did you do to prepare for this job? What books did you read or what things did you do that let you know you would like this field?
	As a kid, I didn't know that I wanted to work in this field, but science always interested me.
6.	Was there any person (parent, teacher, mentor, professor) you felt influenced you to pursue this field?
	My fifth grade science teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Barnett; and two college professors at University of Memphis-Dr. Biggers and Dr. Beck.
7.	What is your favorite quote?
	"With God, all things are possible."
8.	What advice do you have for young women who might be interested in the field of science?
	Study hard, stay focused and never give up on your dream.