NJIT Scholar Athlete Is Bound for England to Earn a Master's and Compete
Taylor Pape presents an interesting mix: honors scholar, year-round researcher, soccer defender, intern and budding educator.
Even her major and minor at New Jersey Institute of Technology — biology and computer science — represents an intriguing hybrid.
“I took a bioinformatics course during my first year and immediately knew this was the path I wanted to pursue,” said Pape, a member of NJIT’s Class of 2025 whose research spanned multiple labs and programs, including the McNair Summer Research Institute and Honor’s Summer Research Institute. “The idea of using computer science to explore and understand biology fascinated me, especially with the growing role of AI in research.”
Now the Albert Dorman Honors Scholar is heading to England to pursue a master’s in advanced computer science at the University of Essex, as she works toward her goal of teaching in academia. Why Essex? Because of its bioinformatics research group but also the chance to keeping playing soccer. After all, why not stick with a mix that flourished in University Heights?
What do you love about research?
It gives me the opportunity to contribute new knowledge to the world. It’s a space where I can express myself creatively, even within STEM. I find it deeply fulfilling, something I don’t think I’d feel if I went into a purely corporate role.
What's the secret to being a great defender?
Give everything you have for every tackle. Communication is key, both with your back line and the entire team. Trust your instincts and always work as part of a unit. You don’t have to do it all alone.
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What did you bring to the role of captain in your senior year?
Strong on-field communication, leadership and a steady presence from the back line. My focus was always on building trust with my teammates and providing direction during high-pressure moments.
What did you gain from your internship at MZM Construction & Management?
I had the chance to learn directly from [President and CEO] Marjorie Perry, who has since become my biggest mentor. She showed me what strong, visionary leadership looks like, especially in male-dominated spaces. My duties included creating presentations, presenting, shadowing her in meetings and helping with bookkeeping. I was introduced to her by Sean Morrison, the director of development for athletics.
What did you learn from Marjorie and other mentors?
Marjorie, who’s an NJIT alum, taught me the power of confidence and helped me find my voice. Dr. [Wunmi] Sadik sparked my passion for research and showed me what it means to excel as a woman in STEM. Dr. [Farzan] Nadim, my current research advisor, gave me the rare opportunity to lead my own project, which has been instrumental in my growth as a computational biology researcher. Also, Head Coach Ally Nick has been a constant source of belief and support, molding me into the athlete and leader I am today.
What were your duties as a Governor's STEM Scholar?
I led a year-long research project with six high school students, focused on building a real-time sensor system to detect conditions that promote mold growth. I managed the research process, oversaw software and hardware development and analyzed the data. We presented our findings at a state science conference.
What was it like leading younger students?
It was incredibly rewarding to be their first introduction to research, and I loved providing the guidance and resources I wish I had at their age. I was truly inspired by how driven and intelligent they were and I can’t wait to see what they do in the future.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Having completed a Ph.D. in computational biology from a top program and working in academia, either in neuroscience or cellular biology. I hope to lead research that makes a meaningful impact and to mentor the next generation of scientists.
