Shavonn Harper brings her PhD experience to AlphaBioCom
JULY 1, 2020AlphaBioCom Scientific Communications Manager Shavonn Harper is a wonderful example of how PhDs thrive in the medical affairs industry. She is an instrumental member of our team, working with our prestigious clients to develop expertly written outlines, manuscripts, and slide decks. Her expertise in multiple therapeutic areas is an enormous asset to our diverse project assignments.
Shavonn has a passion for learning and education that is evident in her academic and professional history. Prior to joining AlphaBioCom in March, Shavonn spent 8 years studying cardiovascular science as a graduate student and later as a postdoctoral fellow at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. As a predoctoral candidate, she studied the role of calcium channels in myocardial infarction and heart failure, as well as the effect of GDF11 on cardiac hypertrophy. During her postdoctoral fellowship, she examined the role of G-protein coupled receptor kinases (GRK) in the epigenetics of the heart as well as sex-specific differences during cardiac hypertrophy due to GRK2 and GRK5. As an undergraduate, she was a supplemental instructor for cell biology, teaching assistant for genetics laboratory, and tutor for America Reads.
Shavonn Harper of AlphaBioCom
Shavonn enjoys family time with her husband James
Shavonn holds many academic and professional honors including an AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship, two BCVS Minority Travel Grants, an NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award, the Circulation Research 2015 Best Manuscript Award, the UNCF/Merck Science Initiative Award, a Summer REU Fellowship at the Marine Biological Laboratories, and inclusion on the Ursinus College Dean’s List for three years. Her presentations supported Dawn Marks Day in June 2017, the Basic Cardiovascular Science Conference AHA in July 2015 and 2016, the Cardiovascular and Translational Research Symposium in June 2015, the Temple Translational Science Symposium in September 2014, and the Gordon Conference in June 2014. She also wrote abstracts and manuscripts on topics ranging from cortical bone stem cells associated with enhanced cardiac repair to the multiple effects of GDF11 on hypertrophy and aging.
Shavonn receiving the UNCF Merck Science Initiative Award.
Outside of her academics and career, Shavonn supports the American Heart Association (AHA) and DCU for Kids. Her personal interest in AHA stems from her cardiovascular research as she feels it is important to help fund initiatives to help find cures, and educational efforts to help people live longer, healthier lives. DCU for Kids support organizations such as Autism Speaks, Special Olympics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Jumpstart for Children, Inc. DCU for Kids also provides scholarships to graduating seniors and grants to schools and organizations to help fund youth community programs, anti-bullying initiatives, and causes that help families whose loved ones are coping with cancer, cystic fibrosis, or autism.
Working out keeps Shavonn’s body and mind strong
Finding peace with nature in their expansive backyard
Shavonn’s hobbies include singing; dancing; reading; working out; and spending time with her husband, niece, and four nephews. She also enjoys hot yoga and free flying at SkyZone; however, during quarantine she has found peace with nature in her bucolic backyard.