The Mass General Research Institute (MGRI) is home to a research community of almost 10,000 individuals working to understand disease and develop solutions to medicine’s most pressing challenges. But who are they and what are they up to when they are not behind the lab bench?

Humans of MGRI is a new initiative with the goal of getting-to-know members of the Research Institute. From clinical research coordinators, to postdoctoral fellows, research technicians, and principal investigators—they are all part of the Mass General Research Institute!

Our first guest featured in our Humans of MGRI series is Alexandra Selberg, MA. We first learned of her and her work through the MGRI Image Contest (her image was selected as a finalist!), but we couldn’t be happier to learn more about her for this series. Meet Alexandra!

What lab/department do you work in and what is your role?

I am a clinical research coordinator for Sammy Elmariah, MD, MPH, who is the Director of Interventional Cardiology Research. Our research focuses on transcatheter therapies to treat structural heart disease, i.e. closed heart surgery. We have several investigational device (new types of heart valve replacements) trials. I also work on multi-omics studies, looking at biomarkers (substances in the blood) that allow us to see how the heart is working, to develop novel treatments and diagnostics.

When and why did you get interested in the work that you are doing? 

My undergraduate degree is actually in art history, but when I decided to apply to med school, I wanted to gain more clinical experience. It has been such a great experience working on the valve team, both for developing my understanding of academic medicine and being able to help patients with new treatments.

What inspired you to create your blog, ”The Body Explainer”?

After the third or fourth time that I drew out the heart for patients and their families, and inspired by Randall Munroe’s ‘Thing Explainer,’ I decided to create ‘Body Explainer’ to help provide an accessible explanation of medical concepts. As I publish more content, I hope that this can eventually be a tool used in clinical care.

What do you like to do when you are not at the lab or working? 

I am an avid runner, and a member of the Dashing Whippets Running Team. My favorite place to run in Boston is along the Esplanade. 

What is your favorite movie and favorite book? 

My favorite movie is ‘Gattaca’ and my favorite book is ‘Time and Chance’ by Sharon Kay Penman. 

Are you a dog or a cat person? 

Even though I am a dog person, I have an incredibly sweet cat named Elsa. We adopted her from the MSPCA this summer.

About the Mass General Research Institute
Research at Massachusetts General Hospital is interwoven through more than 30 different departments, centers and institutes. Our research includes fundamental, lab-based science; clinical trials to test new drugs, devices and diagnostic tools; and community and population-based research to improve health outcomes across populations and eliminate disparities in care.
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