![]() ![]() The site now is a parking lot for a Culver’s restaurant. ![]() Kaleidoscope originally opened as a record shop in this old house just east of South Fremont Avenue on the south side of East Sunshine Street in 1972 and remained there until the early 2000s. The Piersons were 20-somethings, newly wed and new to Springfield at the time - 1972 - and almost on a whim, they’d rented an old converted house on the south side of Sunshine Street one door east of Fremont Avenue. So we stepped out of the line and went home to rethink it - and somehow we came up with Kaleidoscope.” “We realized there already was a Rock Shop in Springfield. “But we were standing in line at Empire Bank to set up a business account when we noticed someone two people ahead of us wearing a shirt with that name on it,” Tom recalls of spotting John Gott. When Tom and his wife Pam originally envisioned setting up a small independent store to sell rock ‘n’ roll recordings and stereo hi-fi gear, they planned to call it The Rock Shop. Kaleidoscope’s brightly lit storefront and distinctive sign make the shop stand out in its East Sunshine Street location. And there is some unexpected inventory kept out of sight in a back room, given away for free to those in need - more about that later. The look of the store, and the merchandise and services offered therein, have evolved dramatically over the past 50 years. “And that’s certainly been the case with our business.” “What you see in a kaleidoscope is constantly changing,” he notes, referring to the colorful optical toy. Whether participating in a deep discussion about epigenetics in a class of only a few students or working directly with their PI to design and carry out experiments in the lab, they credit many of their opportunities to attending a small university.Tom Pierson says he honestly doesn’t know where the name for his eccentric store - Kaleidoscope - came from, but it’s proved to be appropriate for a half-century. Wherever her career takes her, Columbus declares, “I never want to get away from basic science… It’s what I love, even though I’m not necessarily looking to be a PI or to be executing experiments on a daily basis.” Set for SuccessĪlthough Columbus and Stevens are not currently working in labs, they both agree that their experience as undergraduate researchers, and in particular, at a small, undergraduate-only institution, has been a key factor in getting them where they are today. “My background in basic science informs everything that I do, even though I’m not sitting at a bench,” says Columbus. I knew why I was doing it.”Īfter several years working in research, Columbus transitioned into clinical research, and is now a program manager for an international tuberculosis study. “When I had to run a PCR on day one,” she says, “I knew what I was doing. She credits her time in the lab as an undergrad with giving her a jump start in grad school. Let’s talk about how it doesn’t enter the nucleus.'” From PAGE to Clinical ResearchĬolumbus’ career led her to City University of New York, Hunter College, where she earned her Master’s degree in Biological Sciences. “There have been times where I’m writing out DNA to RNA to protein on the paper on my exam table. “The pandemic has really made it clear that there’s somewhat of a deficit of basic science understanding,” Stevens says. This ability has become even more critical recently. In addition to leading her to where she is today, Stevens says her experiences in the lab and at conferences helped develop her science communication skills, which she uses now to explain concepts to patients. She currently works at a primary care facility in Florida, where she sees patients ages three and up. Science Communication on the Front LinesĪfter graduation, Stevens went on to obtain a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and became certified as a physician’s assistant (PA). In addition to encapsulating the wonder and excitement of their first successful gel, they felt the colorful ladder was a beautiful, but subtle, nod to the science they both loved. When Stevens and Columbus discussed getting matching tattoos to celebrate their time in the lab, the Precision Plus Ladder was an obvious choice. “To finally be like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s my protein?’ …It’s just a crazy tactile and exciting experience.” ![]() “You spend a lot of time in your early undergraduate science career just picturing these things,” says Stevens. When the blot later confirmed that they were successful, Columbus and Stevens were elated. Below, Columbus and Stevens show off their matching tattoos. Above, Jessica Stevens (left) and Devin Columbus (right) pose with their undergraduate research advisor, Dr. ![]()
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