VMCVM Alumni Spotlight: Jacob Kocher
Jacob Kocher PhD '14
Director of Virology, KNOW Bio
How VMCVM equipped me for the 'real world'...
I came from a small college that offered experience in lab techniques and the scientific method. However, these were in structured labs and on a limited number of protocols. My work at VMCVM taught me how to conduct and troubleshoot many assays that I had only read about in college (like cloning and ELISA). VMCVM also provided many opportunities to present my work. I learned how to tell my scientific story, deal with stage anxiety, and answer critiques/questions regarding my work.
Best part of being a VMCVM alum...
The community. VMCVM (and VT in general) has a rather large network with a bunch of warm people. I've yet to wear orange and maroon through an airport without meeting at least one alum. It opens so many opportunities for new connections and collaborations.
Best advice I've gotten....
Stay open. Whether that means new connections, relocation, or anything else. This is especially true if your roots aren't too deep.
How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline...
Fighting upper respiratory infections with light and nitric oxide.
My hidden talent...
Trivia with a focus on music and sports.
A person who has inspired me...
This is a very tough question. I've been fortunate to interact and work with many intelligent people throughout my life, whether it's senior scientists that taught new techniques and critical thinking or lawyers that doggedly worked to learn scientific jargon.
For this question, though, I have to go back to my undergraduate research mentor, Dr. Jennifer Koehl at Saint Vincent College. Early in college, I abandoned the medical school dream but did not have much of a plan after that. That changed when I took my first microbiology class with Dr. Koehl. Even though it was at 8:30 AM (and I'm not a morning person), she made it FUN. I joined the Koehl Staph for my research thesis and got to witness firsthand how much effort and care Dr. Koehl put into her students and science education. Her passion for microbiology set me off on my career path.
What did you learn at the college that you never thought you would benefit from?
Collaboration. I came in with a very structured, rigid mindset, which was only reinforced when early projects went well. Not every project works as expected and I spun my wheels a bit. I have no idea why I thought operating on an island would lead to a successful thesis project. I finally reached out to colleagues for help and learned so much about problems/solutions that I hadn't considered. My thesis would have taken much longer without their help.
Biggest misconception about my job or industry...
People tend to think biotech or pharma are fallback options for failed academics. This is not the case; these industries are the first choice for many brilliant, creative individuals. For me, I prefer biotech/pharma due to its proximity to tangible products to improve human and animal health. Everyone has different career interests and aspirations.
Words of encouragement to a current veterinary college student...
Always be kind to yourself. Postgraduate school is hard - exams won't go well, experiments will fail, papers will take forever to write, and presentations will bomb (believe me). Don't make it harder by being hard on yourself.
Fondest college memory or tradition...
I feel like this should be a bigger answer, but my favorite memory is playing Blacksburg rec softball with other BMVS and Biology graduate students. It was a real bonding experience to spend a couple hours each week burning off steam and enjoying some postgame beverages. Softball also provided the opportunity to meet Blacksburg residents - such a great community.
The most formative experience I've had...
These answers arise from a well-known experience: COVID-19. Despite my training, I felt helpless during the initial stages of the pandemic while vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics were being developed. Development takes time and we didn't really have that. So, I'm passionate about broadening our public health toolkit to be more ready. In my current position, we're developing novel therapeutic approaches to work against multiple pathogens. This way, there will be something ready off the shelf while pathogen-specific countermeasures are developed.
Top of my bucket list...
The first thing that popped into my head is skydiving, though I'm terrified of heights.
My favorite quote...
"Comparison is the thief of joy."
Being a VMCVM alumnus means...
You're a part of something special. The people at VMCVM have always been wonderful. There's something in the VMCVM culture that promotes community on the micro and macro scale. When you combine success and community, that's pretty special.
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
Just two human animals, ages 4 and 5. They do ask for a new dog weekly so we'll probably be getting some fish soon.
