Katherine Reid adds an unusual element to the lab mix: with a background in writing and editing, she was initially brought on board to tutor the lab’s international postdocs in English and assist with grant preparation. Her role has evolved to collaborate with Dr. Ang on the East Asian skin color project (EASCoP) beginning in 2012.
Her research interests in skin color expand beyond the increased risk for melanoma inherent in lighter skin and the quest for a greater understanding of the disease. Questions of skin color have deep sociological implications for the ways humans interact, identify themselves, and ascertain self-worth. She is currently working to use the lab’s discoveries about the shared origins of skin color to bring a fresh perspective to our ongoing societal discussion of race.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from Messiah College, Katherine completed a 100-hour TESOL/TESL/TEFL certification through Oxford Seminars.