Incoming Student Spotlight: Peter Kann

Meet Peter Kann – He is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and will be starting the Ph.D. in biology program this fall.

Why did you choose Georgetown?

Besides the amazing research and incredible people, Georgetown’s approach to teaching really resonated with me. At other academic institutions, teaching responsibilities are often seen as little more than a necessary evil, but at Georgetown teaching is clearly held in high regard; many professors have published research related to teaching methods or have earned awards for innovation in instruction. As someone who wants teaching to be a significant part of their career, Georgetown’s approach seemed to be a clear fit for me!

What advice would you give to others going through the graduate school application process?

The specific research areas of your prospective labs are certainly important, but the personality of the department and your potential advisors can be just as impactful. Make sure to speak with current and former students, and to get honest opinions about the culture in which you might be spending the next significant chunk of your life. A poor environment can make even your favorite research subject a chore, but a wonderful one can make topics you’d otherwise have overlooked fascinating.

What are you looking forward to the most during your time at Georgetown?

During my interviews and the visiting student weekend, I got to meet many of the faculty and students who make up the Biology Department at Georgetown, and as you might expect they have some incredible research projects and fields of study. I can’t wait to spend the next five years getting to know everyone and to better understand their areas of expertise. Of course I am excited to develop my own research projects too, but being in the company of such a robust group of scientists is a privilege that few get to experience, and I plan to make the most of it!

What do you like to do during your free time?

I am an unabashed lover of insects, arachnids and anything else with more than four legs, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than heading out into nature with my camera and trying to capture them in all their detail. I also spend a lot of time in the kitchen trying out new recipes, though so far I’ve not had the stomach to mix my two passions. But I’ve heard from other grad students that roasted cicadas are delicious, so I may give it a try! Please share any outdoor activities in the DC-metro area or recipes you may have on my LinkedIn post.

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