Panther Paths: Hannah Kim Frank '05
What does your current role entail?
I'm a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University but starting as a professor at Tulane University in New Orleans in the summer. I conduct scientific research which means I do a lot of reading, thinking about questions I want to answer and then spending time in the field, at the laboratory bench and at my computer answering those questions and writing up the answers for others.
What fueled your interest for your career path?
I had always loved animals and science. I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian but fell in love with research. It's really fun getting to pursue your own interests and answer questions you find interesting. (It can also be slow, boring and frustrating.) I also love teaching others and being a professor is a great combination of science, mentoring and teaching.
What's the most rewarding part of your work?
I get to pursue questions I create and constantly indulge my curiosity; sometimes I'm the only person in the world who knows what I know. I also get to be surrounded by people who are also interested in exploring more about the world. Sharing my passion and knowledge is also really fun! And when I'm in the field I get to interact with wild animals in a way that very few people ever get a chance to do.
What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
Science can be very fickle. Often success is down to luck as much as talent or hard work. And I really struggle with enforcing my own structure onto a field that will take every second you let it. There is incredible flexibility which is great but also means that you could be working literally every second and it's up to you to find the balance. There can also be a lot of rejection and little external validation/ feedback which is a difficult adjustment from school and a departure from most other jobs.
What does a normal day look like for you?
Usually I'm at the university so I go into lab and depending on the day I might spend as much as 8 hours in front of the bench doing experiments or I might be at my computer analyzing data or writing or reading or some combination of lab work and computer work. If I'm in the field, usually I get up as late as I can, start preparing my supplies for that night of bat catching and leave for my field site at 4pm. Then we set up the nets and I catch bats until about midnight and take samples, come home, take a shower and start the whole process over again!
What's next?
I'm starting as a professor at Tulane in the summer which will mean more managerial responsibilities and greater freedom to explore my own questions!
How are you willing to help fellow Poly alumni?
I'm happy to talk to people who are interested in getting into academia or curious about what it's like to do science as a career. I'm also happy to talk to people debating between research and medical practice.
What advice can you offer to fellow Panthers?
Things generally work out; don't be afraid to be flexible. I put a lot of pressure on myself to plan and prepare for the next thing. Statistically speaking life is long and everyone's path is winding. Definitely plan but leave room to breathe!
Resources
Policies
©2025 Polytechnic School. All Rights Reserved