Grabel, Laura, January 11, 2022

Laura Grabel started at Wesleyan in 1984. In this interview she talks about what drew her to Wesleyan; the opportunity to work closely with both graduate and undergraduate students; the ability to bring interdisciplinary modes of learning into the classroom, such as science choreography. She elaborates on her research interests and what drew her to them. She mentions how since a young age she was fascinated by stem-cell research, specifically, she has done a lot of research in embryonic stem cells and how they can be used to treat epilepsy and diabetes. She discusses her experience in more administrative roles; justifications for the continuation of the graduate program at Wesleyan; her interactions with different presidents, and the ideals they held relating to the direction of the university; the need for institutions to adjust their academic portfolio through changing times; and how to reconcile the differences in teaching load between sciences and humanities. After teaching and research, she describes her trajectory towards abortion rights advocacy, as a natural continuation of her interest in embryonic stem cell research.