Alessandro Zuccaroli ’25. (Photo Alice Van Etten/The Gettysburgian)
By Sarah Daniels, Content Manager
Soon-to-be graduate Alessandro Zuccaroli ’25, a biochemistry major and history minor, has a bright future ahead of him.
Directly after graduation, he will work as a research specialist in an infectious disease laboratory at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation.
After two years in this position, Zuccaroli plans to apply to MD-Ph.D dual degree programs. For his Ph.D, he is still deciding between a molecular biology path, addressing molecular mechanism of pathogenicity, or a historical approach to medicine and infectious disease. He feels confident in both subjects. “In this position, I will assist with the testing of an mRNA vaccine that the laboratory has developed against the herpes simplex virus (HSV), the causative agent of herpes. I am able to consider both options due to the training and mentorship I have experienced at Gettysburg College.”
He attributes his success and future academic endeavors to two professors at Gettysburg. The first, professor Steve James in the Biology department. “Under Dr. James’s masterful tutelage, I have developed as a young scientist with a love of research and an appreciation of the impact that dedicated teaching and mentorship can have on others.”
He also credits professor Jim Downs of the history department with helping him succeed. “It was Prof. Downs who first introduced me to the history of medicine and the possibility of an MD-PhD in the history of medicine. Without his continued encouragement and belief in me, it is safe to say that I would not have had the confidence or experience necessary to consider this path.”
Gettysburg College’s liberal arts approach allowed him to explore these options across departments. “I was able to combine rigorous scientific study with an intense investigation of history precisely because of the interdisciplinarity that is part and parcel of the College’s mission. I am truly indebted to the faculty and staff of Gettysburg College for their tireless efforts and dedication.”
Zuccaroli’s future is bright, thanks to his parents. “Primarily, I will celebrate my achievements with my family. I owe it all to my parents for their courageous decision to immigrate to the United States when I was a young child. Opening up opportunities for my sister and myself was foremost on their minds, and it is because of their selfless actions that I have been able to attend Gettysburg College and receive a fantastic education. I cannot thank them enough.”
This article originally appeared on page 11 of the No. 6 April 2025 edition of The Gettysburgian magazine
