BUT IT’S NOT JUST FOOTBALL PLAYERS TAKING TO THE FIELD ON GAME DAY. IN FACT, DURING THE FIRST 3 QUARTERS OF SUPER BOWL 51, THE PATRIOTS AND THEIR FANS NEEDED SOME SERIOUS CHEERING UP! AND THAT’S WHERE THE CHEERLEADERS COME IN.
UP NEXT, WE MEET ONE OF THOSE PATRIOTS CHEERLEADERS -- WHOSE WORK OFF THE FIELD IS SHATTERING STEREOTYPES AND CHANGING THE WORLD.
Nats of Theresa Oei: "This is algae all the green stuff down there."
BY DAY THERESA OEI ... SPORTS A LAB COAT AS SHE STUDIES GENE EDITING AS A RESEARCH ASSOCIATE AT THE BROAD INSTITUTE AT MIT AND HARVARD ... IN CAMBRIDGE.
ON NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS ... SHE SWAPS OUT THE COAT FOR WORKOUT GEAR TO PRACTICE GETTING FANS FIRED UP AS A ROOKIE CHEERLEADER FOR THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS.
Theresa Oei:
"Whenever they all walk on the field it's so exciting and the crowd loves it."
THERESA IS BREAKING THE MOLD, SO TO SPEAK, WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT YOU'D THINK A SCIENTIST, OR EVEN A CHEERLEADER, IS LIKE. SHE ENJOYS PEOPLE'S REACTIONS TO HER VASTLY DIFFERENT LINES OF WORK.
Theresa Oei:
"I think they are surprised most of the time."
BEING ON THE FIELD IS HER FUN BUT BEING IN THE LAB IS HER LIFE.
Theresa Oei:
"A lot of science is asking the questions why, why does it work like this and then of course solving problems."
THE YALE GRADUATE'S TEAM AT THE INSTITUTE RESEARCHES GENE EDITING TO BETTER UNDERSTAND GENETIC DISEASES LIKE CANCER -- WITH THE HOPES OF SOMEDAY BEING ABLE TO MANIPULATE DNA AS A TYPE OF TREATMENT.
Nats of Theresa IN lab
THERESA SAYS IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO SHARE HER LOVE OF SCIENCE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE SHE MEETS AT SCHOOL EVENTS ON BEHALF OF THE PATRIOTS.
Theresa Oei:
"Leaving the path to science open is really important and showing that it can be a lot of fun."
WOW. THAT’S SERIOUSLY SOME INSPIRING WORK. AND OY SAYS SHE ISN'T DONE FOLLOWING HER DREAM -- SHE'S IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING TO GRADUATE
SCHOOL TO GET HER P-H-D.
Instructional Links
Website Article: Science Cheerleader, Patriots Cheerleaders Show Their STEaM Spirit!
Website Articles: Your Genome, Facts | Articles that simply explain genetics, genomes, gene therapy & related research.
Website Articles: The American Society of Human Genetics, Careers in Human Genetics | Includes education required, information, video interviews & links to resources.