Lab friends for life: a Summer Student Program alumni story
Featured Article | February 11, 2025
For her summer research project, Michelle Josephson, M.D., investigated antibody response in vaccinated rabbits. Beth Warach, J.D., undertook hematology research on aplastic anemia, a condition in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells. And Susan Tarnofsky, D.D.S., investigated immunological disease alongside the renowned Lenny Shultz, Ph.D., who remains on the JAX faculty today.
Though they took different paths in the lab, outside of it, the three young women bonded over card games, late-night cookie runs to the Highseas kitchen and group excursions like going to see “The Exorcist” at the Bar Harbor movie theater. Sue and Beth shared a room at the Highseas estate, and Michelle lived across the hall.
“Living at Highseas felt like one big family,” Sue said. “I don't think I'd ever met people from so many different parts of the country before. That was really exciting, and it was exciting to be with people with whom you felt you had a fair amount in common.”
In the 50 years since their graduation from the SSP, Michelle, Sue and Beth have stood by each other, making time to visit and vacation together while pursuing their careers and raising families. When JAX announced the 100th anniversary celebration of the SSP, it seemed only natural to attend the event together.
Sue went on to a career as a dentist, and Beth became a lawyer. Michelle went to medical school and is a transplant nephrologist, a specialist who manages the complex medical needs of patients receiving kidney transplants. The techniques and lessons she learned during her summer at JAX still come into play.
“I still incorporate immunology into my clinical work,” Michelle said. “I’ve realized over the years that the techniques I learned in that pivotal period [during the SSP] have been applicable.”
For so many alumni like Beth, Sue and Michelle, the SSP turned out to be much more than a summer internship — it’s where lifelong friendships take shape.
This article is part of JAX’s 2024 digital impact report, an annual celebration of the power of philanthropy in accelerating our mission to improve the future of human health.