New Faculty Focus: Sophie A. Aschenbroich

Name: Sophie A. Aschenbroich

Title: Clinical Assistant Professor in Anatomic Pathology, Department of Pathobiological Sciences

Hometown: Lyon, France

Educational/professional background: After obtaining my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia in 2011, my interest in pathology led me to enter a Merial-sponsored dual program combining a residency in anatomic pathology with a PhD in infectious disease within the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2014, I completed my residency and attained board certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. I then transitioned into full-time graduate work focused on investigating the intracellular pathogenesis of Burkholderia mallei (Bm). I obtained my PhD in December of 2017.

How did you get into your field of research? My strong interest in foreign and emerging infectious disease, immunology, and molecular mechanisms of disease led to me pursue a PhD investigating potential immunomodulatory mechanisms utilized by Bm to allow for replication within host cells.

What attracted you to UW–Madison? The solidarity and compassion of the people here, who truly care about advancing education and science in a collaborative, supporting environment that benefits the growth and development of all. Oh, and the Terrace of course!

What was your first visit to campus like? I was very sick during my interview here, but the lake views were outstanding, everyone was amazing, and the city spoke to me.

What’s one thing you hope students who take a class with you will come away with? I just hope they remember one or two key points from each lecture to help them in their careers. More generally speaking, that science is all in the subtleties and cannot be placed in a box, that there is no black and white.

Do you feel your work relates in any way to the Wisconsin Idea?  As anatomic pathologists, we are uniquely positioned to get to the root cause of the disease process in a definitive way, and this can mean halting a herd or flock outbreak in its tracks. In my specific work, I have several research collaborations that seek to better understand the immune response to vaccine adjuvants or infectious disease.

What’s something interesting about your area of expertise you can share that will make us sound smarter at parties? That some pathogens can covertly hijack and survive within our immune cells, allowing them the ability to spread rapidly and establish in our tissues before immune detection.

Hobbies/other interests: I am an outdoorswoman, so I am happiest outside kayaking or hiking. I also enjoy Zumba, baking brownies, cakes, cookies, and trying out new breweries as my husband home-brews as a hobby.