Alana MacDonald

Alana MacDonald is the current Director at Hopkins Biotech Network. Prior to their current position, they served as a Consultant for ClearView Healthcare Partners for 3 months. Alana also has experience working in alumni relations, having served as the Director of Alumni Relations for Hopkins Biotech Network for 2 years. In this role, they established a career mentorship program in collaboration with the CASSS scientific organization (CASSS.org) for students interested in non-academic science careers.

Previously, MacDonald worked for The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine for 4 years and 5 months as a Ph.D. Candidate, Program in Immunology, Chief Operating Graduate Student, Program in Immunology, and Graduate Teaching Assistant. In these roles, they were responsible for characterizing a novel fusion protein designed to deliver protein payloads (i.e. cytokines) to augment T cell activation and effector function, mentored 3 visiting medical students from Taiwan, and served as a liaison between the graduate program student body and program administration. Alana also served as a Teaching Assistant for Graduate Immunology, ME:250.703.

MacDonald also has experience working in student government, having served as Vice President of General Affairs for the Graduate Student Association at Johns Hopkins University for 1 year and as a Program Representative for the Johns Hopkins Graduate Student Association for 1 year.

In addition to their work experience, MacDonald has also completed undergraduate research fellowships at SUNY Upstate Medical University and Binghamton University. Alana also served as a Teaching Assistant for Organic Chemistry 1 & 2 at Binghamton University for 1 year and 6 months.

Alana MacDonald earned their Doctor of Philosophy in Immunology from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2021. Prior to that, they completed their Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biology at Binghamton University in 2017, where they graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors. During their time at Binghamton University, they were also a Division 1 Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track athlete, and a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society. MacDonald began their academic career at Rush Henrietta Senior High School in 2009, where they were a member of the National Honor Society and the Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track teams.