Catherine Hazard smiles in a sunny vineyard.

Catherine Hazard

Image courtesy of the subject.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Catherine Hazard

by Danielle Doughty | Department of Chemistry |
Categories: Research, Students

Chemistry Graduate Student Catherine Hazard describes her research and answers 20 random questions as part of the Graduate Student Spotlight series.

Catherine Hazard is a PhD student in the Pentelute Lab, and is originally from southern New Hampshire. She came to MIT after graduating with a BS in Biochemistry from Boston College, and is now working on developing antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics with cell-penetrating peptides for enhanced delivery for cancers and neuromuscular diseases.

“I decided to pursue my PhD in chemistry because of how inspired I became by the work of all of the scientists who worked so tirelessly to solve the vaccine crisis during the global pandemic,” said Catherine. “The formative education I will gain through my research at MIT will enable to me to add to the therapeutic landscape to improve people’s lives.”

As the subject of this month’s Graduate Student Spotlight, Catherine reveals the best vacation she’s ever taken, the small thing that makes her day better, her irrational fear, and more!

  1. What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken?
    Last June after graduation my family and I travelled to Costa Rica! The nature and wildlife was stunning to witness, and the beaches were absolutely beautiful.
  2. Who would be the best person you could be stuck in an elevator with?
    Probably the elevator technician to help fix it.
  3. What are some small things that make your day better?
    I always love a vanilla iced coffee in the morning and a nice walk outside with my labmates.
  4. What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
    Taylor Swift, for sure ❤️ I keep track of The Eras Tour like some people keep track of the NFL.
  5. What’s worth spending more on to get the best?
    A nice mattress. Good sleep is so important.
  6. What irrational fear do you have?
    I am deathly afraid of needles to the point that I have passed out getting my flu shot multiple times.
  7. If you could have a never-ending candle that smelled like anything you wanted, what fragrance would you want it to be?
    Anything citrusy or beachy
  8. What was your favorite book as a child, and what is your favorite book now?
    I absolutely loved The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane growing up. And the Tale of Desperaux. Now it might be Lessons in Chemistry. I will eat up a predictable romance novel no matter how cheesy it is.
  9. If you built a themed hotel, what would the theme be and what would the rooms look like?
    Plant themed. There would be so much natural sunlight, fresh air, and gorgeous greenery and florals in every room.
  10. What food do you crave most often?
    I will never say no to pasta.
  11. What is your secret talent?
    I’m a dancer! I really like ballet, contemporary and jazz.
  12. What’s something common from your childhood that will seem strange to future generations?
    I was a big Leapster kid, now there are just iPad kids.
  13. What is on your bucket list?
    I really want to travel to Europe soon! High on the list to visit are Italy, Spain, and Greece.
  14. What are your top three favorite movies?
    The Greatest Showman, Hidden Figures, and The Parent Trap
  15. Who is the most famous person you have met?
    Misty Copeland! I danced with her in my ballet company’s Nutcracker growing up. It was so exciting to be able to perform alongside an American Ballet Theatre Principal ballerina.
  16. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?
    I wish I knew how to play the piano.
  17. What would be your ideal way to spend the weekend?
    In the summer time, an ideal weekend would include waking up early to head to the beach all day and going out to a nice restaurant in the evening. Or a day out on the lake tubing and wakeboarding with my friends and family.
  18. What inconsequential super power would you like to have?
    Teleportation would be so cool.
  19. Who would be in the lineup for your ideal music festival?
    The Band Camino, Noah Kahan, The 1975, Valley, The Strike (and Taylor of course too)
  20. What problem or situation did TV / movies make you think would be common, but when you grew up you found out it wasn’t?
    Quicksand. I always thought one day I’d be in a situation to escape it but thankfully that is not common in New England.