Name: Jessica Quinn
When did you join JMF? March 2014
Role: Scientific Director – Oversight of all things “science” at the Foundation. This involves global collaboration to coordinate our 3 Research Programs, publications in scientific journals, JMF’s annual Physician Survey, our current poliovirus excretion prevalence study (for which we have partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Task Force for Global Health, the CDC, and Global Polio Lab Network), and any/all additional projects that may arise!
What inspires you? Passion, genuine kindness, and resilience.
What aspect of JMF do you find most special? The passion behind the Foundation and the breadth of its reach. JMF’s history of achievements is remarkable, as is its goals for the future. I find contentment in the fact that no matter the task at hand, it all comes back to a single, meaningful mission: improve and save lives. This makes me proud to come to work every day.
What’s your favorite JMF memory? The WPIW celebration at JMF Headquarters in NYC in April of 2014. At that point, I’d been working here for only 1 month and was still learning the ins and outs of the Foundation. That day I was lucky enough to meet Jared, the last baby screened in a Newborn Screening pilot program in Puerto Rico who happened to have SCID. Because he was screened as a newborn, Jared was able to receive a bone marrow transplant, which saved his life. Jared was able to be with us that day, to run around and play, because of a simple test. This put things in perspective for me and solidified the already poignant mission of the Foundation in my heart and mind.
Favorite Quote: “Never touch anything with half of your heart” and “If I look at the mass I will never act. If I look at the one, I will.”
To Sum Up! I’m a daughter/sister/aunt/friend/woman with a passion for science, public health, and helping others however I’m able. I love to workout, travel, read, and cuddle with my dog, Putty!