Giovanna Panetta
Undergraduate Student
Harvard College '28

BACKGROUND: I am a Harvard College 2028 undergraduate from Carmel Valley, California. I am concentrating in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a secondary in Arts, Film, and Visual Studies. Previously I have assisted with research in marine biology, specifically focusing on the chromatophores of
California market squid. But my true interest lies in medical biology and immunology, and I aspire to one day get a PhD in the subject and work in a lab full-time. I am very excited to be working at the Sethi Lab, as it is an amazing opportunity for me to develop my research skills and delve into researching what I am most passionate about.

RESEARCH INTERESTS/PROJECTS: I am very interested in how the immune system interacts with colorectal tumors, creating what is known as the tumor microenvironment. Currently I am working on a project with Jia Liu to study immune evasion in premalignant mouse models. By recording the progression of these cells into lesions in different immune environments in mouse models we can evaluate key immune markers to study T cell activity in the presence of tumors.
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FUN FACTS AND INTERESTS: In my free time I am an avid reader and love to constantly update my Goodreads account. I am also an enjoyer of comedy tv shows, with my favorite being The Office, which I have seen over fifteen times. When I am back home in California, I love to go hiking around my county. But, here in Cambridge I normally opt for long walks to explore the area and try different cafes.