30 Under 30
Erin Chen ’16
PHILADELPHIA Clinical Research Assistant at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Erin Chen studied molecular and cellular biology and computer science as an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University. While completing her B.S. (2020), she was heavily involved in community service, research, and varsity athletics. She volunteered as both a caregiver and a mentor in the Baltimore area, and she was captain of the women’s fencing team during her junior and senior years. She holds the Johns Hopkins University record for career Sabre wins and all weapons. During her summers, Erin worked at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s 22q and You Center, where she researched the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a disorder that is caused by a missing piece of chromosome 22 and characterized by several developmental issues. She is currently continuing in this role while she applies to medical school as an aspiring physician. Her favorite part of the job: connecting with patients and their families. In her spare time, Erin works part-time as a fencing instructor. When she was at MFS, she participated in fencing as well as girls’ soccer. Her favorite memory is winning the NJSIAA Non-Public B South soccer championship in 2015. Erin won the Herm Magee Award for outstanding female athlete 2015-16. She looks back fondly on her MFS experience. “The small, tight-knit community at MFS that fostered inclusivity showed me the importance of creating relationships and being open-minded,” said Erin. “Most importantly, MFS taught me how to learn and grow from my mistakes. Throughout my different experiences and this pandemic, I have had many opportunities for self-reflection. I know I would not be the person I am today without reflecting on the failures, lessons, and feedback from others. Meeting for Worship showed me the value of taking time to think, and it is a skill I know I will use for the rest of my life.”
“MFS taught me how to learn and grow from my mistakes.”
Noah Rubenstein ’12
BROOKLYN, NY Playwright and Writer, Assistant to Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Noah Rubenstein is a playwright and writer as well as an assistant to Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and MacArthur Grant fellow. Noah does both short-term administrative duties as well as longer-term research projects and, before the pandemic, script supervision. Last year, he developed his own play during a residency at SPACE on Ryder Farm, a nonprofit organization that combines art with environmental sustainability. As an assistant, Noah has contributed to five full productions that have appeared at off-Broadway and regional theaters. At MFS, Noah learned that “it’s not uncool to take your work seriously.” Being around like-minded, driven peers helped him transition to an undergraduate workload. “When I got to NYU I was sort of shocked at how much easier it was than high school,” said Noah “That’s not because I’m a genius (I’m not) it’s because having lots of work didn’t feel like a big deal after going to a rigorous school like MFS. Doing the work was just the expectation.” Though he wishes he had been more involved in student government, his fondest memories come from being the Clerk of Meeting for Worship for Business. Noah earned his B.F.A. in Dramatic Writing at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
“I think the most valuable thing I learned at MFS was just the simple idea that it’s not uncool to take your work seriously.”
Spring 2021
AMONG FRIENDS
19
