Jessi Hersh

Jessi is the Program Manager for Student Engagement at RockEDU. A love for math and chemistry during high school led her to study Materials Science and Engineering and Biomedical Engineering in college, and she got her Bachelor of Science in 2019 from Cornell University. During this time, she worked in Dr. Uli Wiesner’s lab on multifunctional imaging nanoparticles, which grew her interest in therapeutic and diagnostic nanoparticles. She went to the University of Miami to pursue a PhD in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology where she could continue research on medicinal nanoparticles. While in Miami, she engaged with local high school students in science education activities, blossoming a passion for science outreach.

Her dissertation work “Targeted Nanotherapeutics and Diagnostics Using Peptide and Protein Ligands” was completed in summer 2024, at which time she moved to NYC to join the RockEDU team and work in science outreach full time!

Since joining the team, she has worked on many student-facing programs for students from kindergarten through college, including Jumpstart, SSRP, Lulu Wang Scholars, Science Saturday, and Talking Science.

In her current role, Jessi supports student learning by developing science and professional workshops and working closely with graduate student and postdoc mentors. She also teaches the CURE course for Hunter College students. Her passion project involves collaborating with the New York Public Library promoting science education and a love of reading.

When she is not at work, she is most likely with her dog, Luna, and/or reading a fantasy or sci-fi novel.