Biochemist - Careers in Science and Engineering

National Science Foundation News
27 Oct 201106:53
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRMeet Roselle, a biochemist at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, who combines her passion for science and helping others by studying how the human body fuels itself during athletic performance. Through analyzing body fluids like blood and sweat, she aids in developing products that benefit athletes globally. Roselle's work is driven by the desire to make a meaningful impact and her ongoing education reflects a commitment to advancing in the scientific field. Despite challenges as a newcomer, she finds reward in public benefit and staying engaged with her work. Outside of her groundbreaking research, Roselle enjoys volunteering, playing the piano, and baking, demonstrating a well-rounded life enriched by science and personal interests.

Takeaways
  • 🌟 Roselle is a biochemist at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, combining her passions for science and helping people.
  • 🎓 She was drawn to the field due to her early interests in math and science, and a desire to care for others.
  • 🥼 Biochemists at Gatorade assist research scientists in studying human body fuel and cooling mechanisms.
  • 🏋️‍♀️ Roselle collects and analyzes body fluids from athletes to understand the performance of test products and hydration levels.
  • 🧪 Her work involves separating and testing samples for electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride.
  • 🏃‍♀️ Roselle also engages in sports herself, with ambitions to run a 10K, half-marathon, and eventually complete a triathlon.
  • 💼 She values the teamwork at Gatorade and the global impact of her work.
  • 📚 Roselle's college education in biology, including advanced courses in anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, prepared her for her current role.
  • 🚀 She sees a bright future for women in science, noting increased opportunities and support for girls in STEM fields.
  • 🌐 The script emphasizes the importance of scientists in driving innovation and discovery, highlighting the excitement of being part of new research.
Q & A

  • What is Roselle's profession and where does she work?

    -Roselle is a biochemist working for the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.

  • What initially sparked Roselle's interest in pursuing a career in biochemistry?

    -Roselle's interest in biochemistry began with her childhood passion for math and science, which later evolved into a desire to help and care for people.

  • How does Roselle's role contribute to Gatorade's research on athletic performance?

    -Roselle assists research scientists by providing valuable assistance in studying how the human body fuels and cools itself, which helps in understanding the impact of Gatorade's products on athletes.

  • What types of samples does Roselle collect and analyze from athletes?

    -Roselle collects samples of body fluids such as blood and sweat from athletes during performance trials and analyzes them to determine the performance of certain ingredients in test products within the body.

  • What specific electrolytes does Roselle test for in the body fluid samples?

    -Roselle tests for electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride to assess the level of hydration of the subjects.

  • Which sports and professional teams has Roselle worked with?

    -Roselle has worked with professional teams and athletes from various sports including basketball, football, soccer, tennis, and golf.

  • How does Roselle's personal interest in fitness align with her professional goals?

    -Roselle's personal interest in fitness, such as running and working out, helps her relate to the athletes she works with and fuels her ambition to improve athletic performance through her research.

  • What are some of the interesting facts Roselle has learned about the human body from studying body fluids?

    -Roselle has learned that saliva can indicate hormone levels, and sweat can reveal how quickly the stomach empties and the intestines absorb nutrients, demonstrating the body's ability to communicate various conditions.

  • How does Roselle's education in biology and lab work contribute to her current role?

    -Roselle's biology degree and advanced courses in anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, along with her lab work, have provided her with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform her job effectively.

  • What are Roselle's thoughts on the representation of women in the field of science?

    -Roselle believes that more women are entering the field of science due to increased opportunities and support, and she feels that there are no boundaries for girls today who want to pursue careers in science or medicine.

  • How does Roselle balance her work, education, and personal life?

    -Roselle continues her education to further her career while also engaging in volunteer programs and enjoying hobbies like playing the piano and baking, which help her relax and unwind.

  • What does Roselle find most rewarding about her job?

    -The most rewarding part for Roselle is knowing that her work benefits the public and contributes to the advancement of science and medicine, rather than just making a living.

Outlines
00:00
🥼 Biochemistry and Sports: Roselle's Journey

Roselle, a biochemist at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, shares her passion for science and helping others through her work. She explains how her interest in math and science led her to a career that combines her love for research and desire to aid athletes. Roselle's role involves assisting research scientists by studying human body fuel and cooling mechanisms, collecting and analyzing body fluid samples from athletes to understand product performance. She emphasizes the global impact of her work and the teamwork at Gatorade. Despite being new to the field, Roselle is eager to learn and finds fulfillment in contributing to public health through her research. Her personal goals include participating in athletic events like a 10K, half-marathon, and eventually a triathlon, reflecting her commitment to both science and physical fitness.

05:02
🎓 Pursuing Passion Beyond Profession

Roselle discusses her educational background in biology and how it prepared her for her current role. She highlights the importance of advanced science courses and lab work in her college years, which provided a solid foundation for her career. The narrative also touches on the changing dynamics in the scientific field, with more women entering and excelling in what was once a male-dominated industry. Roselle's personal journey reflects a supportive environment that encouraged her to pursue her goals. She continues to further her education to advance her career. Roselle also shares her perspective on work-life balance, engaging in volunteer work and hobbies like playing the piano and baking to unwind. She concludes by expressing her excitement for the continuous innovation and discovery in the scientific field, emphasizing the crucial role of scientists in driving progress and exploration.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Biochemist
A biochemist is a scientist who specializes in the study of the chemical processes and substances occurring within living organisms. In the video, Roselle is a biochemist for the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, where she combines her passion for science and helping people by studying how the human body fuels and cools itself. Her role is central to the video's theme of scientific research in sports.
💡Gatorade Sports Science Institute
The Gatorade Sports Science Institute is a research and development arm of Gatorade that focuses on the study of sports science and the role of nutrition and hydration in athletic performance. In the script, it is the organization where Roselle works, highlighting the institute's role in advancing sports science and the practical applications of biochemistry in enhancing athletic performance.
💡Hydration
Hydration refers to the state of having an adequate amount of water in the body, which is crucial for maintaining health and optimal physical performance. In the context of the video, Roselle and her team analyze body fluids to determine the hydration levels of athletes, which is vital for understanding how certain ingredients in sports drinks affect the body during physical exertion.
💡Electrolytes
Electrolytes are minerals that, when dissolved in body fluids, create electrically charged particles that are essential for many bodily functions, including maintaining hydration. Roselle mentions analyzing electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride in athletes' sweat samples to gauge their hydration levels, which is a key aspect of the research conducted at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.
💡Athletic Performance
Athletic performance refers to how well an individual or team performs in a sport or physical activity. The video emphasizes the importance of biochemistry in understanding and improving athletic performance through the study of how the body reacts to exercise and hydration, as well as the development of products like sports drinks.
💡Body Fluids
Body fluids include any liquid present within the human body, such as blood, sweat, and saliva. In the script, Roselle collects and analyzes samples of blood and sweat from athletes to determine how ingredients in sports drinks are performing within the body, which is a critical part of the research process at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.
💡Sweat Patches
Sweat patches are adhesive devices used to collect sweat samples for analysis. Roselle uses sweat patches connected to a sticky patch, which she processes in a centrifuge to obtain a clean sample for testing electrolyte levels. This method is showcased in the video as a practical application of biochemistry in sports science.
💡Centrifuge
A centrifuge is a piece of laboratory equipment that uses centrifugal force to separate substances of different densities. Roselle uses a centrifuge to separate sweat from the cotton in the patches, allowing her to obtain a clean sample for analysis. The use of a centrifuge is an example of the scientific techniques employed in the video's narrative.
💡Hormone Levels
Hormone levels refer to the amount of hormones present in the body, which can be indicative of various physiological states. Roselle mentions that saliva can reveal hormone levels, demonstrating the wide range of information that can be gleaned from biochemistry, which is integral to the video's message about the depth of scientific understanding of the human body.
💡Professional Teams
Professional teams are groups of athletes who compete at a high level in their respective sports, often as part of a league or organization. The video mentions that Roselle has worked with professional teams and various types of athletes, emphasizing the real-world applications of the research conducted at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.
💡Science Education
Science education involves teaching and learning about various scientific disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Roselle's background in biology and her advanced courses in anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry are highlighted in the video, illustrating the importance of a strong educational foundation for a career in science.
💡Volunteer Programs
Volunteer programs are organized efforts where individuals offer their time and skills to support a cause or community without financial gain. Roselle's involvement in volunteer programs in Chicago schools is mentioned, showing her commitment to giving back to the community and inspiring future generations, which aligns with the video's theme of personal growth and societal contribution.
Highlights

Roselle's job at Gatorade Sports Science Institute is highly enjoyable, unlike any other job she's had before.

Roselle is a biochemist who combines her passion for math, science, and helping people in her role at Gatorade.

Biochemists at Gatorade assist research scientists in studying human body's fuel and cooling mechanisms.

Roselle's decision to work at Gatorade was influenced by the company's global impact and amazing teamwork.

Analyzing body fluids like blood and sweat from athletes to test product ingredients' performance is a key part of Roselle's job.

Roselle's work involves testing electrolytes to understand hydration levels, which is crucial for athlete performance.

She has worked with professional teams and athletes from various sports, including basketball, football, soccer, tennis, and golf.

Outside of work, Roselle enjoys working out and has personal fitness goals like running a 10K, half-marathon, and eventually a triathlon.

Roselle's biochemistry work has taught her fascinating facts about the body, such as how saliva can reveal hormone levels.

Science has advanced to a point where a droplet of fluid can provide insights into stomach emptiness and intestinal absorption rates.

Roselle is not only a scientist but also aspires to be an athlete herself, with goals aligned with running and triathlon events.

Despite being new to the field, Roselle is eager to learn and engage more with her work, finding support from colleagues.

Roselle's education in biology, including advanced courses in anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, has been instrumental in her career.

She believes that women are increasingly entering the scientific field, which was once male-dominated, due to more opportunities and support.

Roselle's work is rewarding as it benefits the public, aligning with her desire to be fully invested in her career and make a difference.

Her involvement in volunteer programs and hobbies like playing the piano and baking showcase her well-rounded personality.

Scientists, like Roselle, are essential for progress as they continually invent and discover new things, pushing boundaries in their fields.

The constant emergence of new research and scientific breakthroughs makes Roselle's field exciting and ever-evolving.

Transcripts

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BiochemistryGatoradeAthletic PerformanceHydration ScienceWomen in STEMSports ScienceLab ResearchProfessional AthletesTriathlon GoalsScience Advocacy