Tell us a little about yourself. You can include your personal background, family, outside interests that are important to who you are as a person and a candidate.
My husband, Jean-Baptiste, and I have been Lexington residents for nearly 24 years. I received my Ph.D. in Biology from Columbia University. My research expertise lies in area of DNA damage, immunology, and cancer. My career path includes postdoc research fellowships at Brandeis and Harvard Medical School (HMS), followed by positions as an instructor in pediatrics at HMS and assistant professor of pathology at BIDMC and HMS where I ran a NIH-funded research lab, and appointments at the Dana Farber Cancer Center, Harvard Stem Cell Institute and the Broad Institute. My daughter is currently a junior at LHS. In my free time, I’m passionate about strength training, hiking, horseback riding with a focus on dressage–previously also eventing. My community engagement began as a parent volunteer as my daughter progressed through the Lexington Public Schools. At Fiske, I volunteered with Big Backyard, Fiske Fair and was a Science Fair organizer; at Diamond, I volunteered during lunch, Book Fair, D minors, musical and drama, and as eighth grade graduation activities organizer; at LHS, I was the PTO Forums VP and currently I am PTO President. In town, I am in my first term on the Vision for Lexington Committee Affordable Housing Working Group.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
As a candidate for Town Meeting in Precinct 5, I am committed to leveraging my scientific background, community involvement, and leadership experience to contribute to Lexington. My extensive background in molecular and cell biology, coupled with my experience in managing research projects and nurturing innovation, equips me with the analytical and problem-solving skills necessary for effective decision-making in town governance. Having been deeply involved in the Lexington community through volunteering in schools, serving on committees such as the Vision for Lexington Committee Affordable Housing Working Group, the PTO/A Presidents’ Council and contributing to the Lexington Public Schools Calendar Group and LHS Building Project, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of the needs and priorities of our residents and more importantly our students. As the current LHS PTO President and former Forums VP, I have actively worked to enhance the education and welfare of students and foster communication throughout the community. I am eager to continue serving the community by bringing a data-driven, collaborative, and forward-thinking approach to the Town Meeting, ensuring that Lexington remains a vibrant and inclusive town for all.
How has your past experience — whether in your professional life, elected office, or as a community leader — prepared you for a role in Town Meeting?
My diverse experiences have equipped me with a unique skill set that will be invaluable in Town Meeting. As a scientist, my career has focused on understanding complex biological systems and analyzing the underlying causes of disease, honing my analytical and problem-solving abilities. My roles at Brandeis and HMS–including my position as Assistant Professor and managing my own lab at BIDMC, HMS, and Dana Farber Cancer Center– have provided me with leadership and management skills. Serving on the Vision for Lexington Committee Affordable Housing Working Group has deepened my understanding of the community’s needs. As LHS PTO President, I’ve worked to enhance education and communication between LHS families, LHS Counselors, METCO, Student Senate, Pep Band, Class Advisors, the LHS administration, and partnerships with SHAC, SEPAC, IAL, CAAL, Youth Counseling Connection, LEF, and other local nonprofits to better meet the needs of our educators and students—needs that have amplified with the current LPS budget freeze. My research and mentorship roles throughout my academic path have honed my ability to foster research innovation through academic and pharma collaborations and to nurture individual capabilities to guide independent and collaborative projects. These experiences, combined with my commitment to data-driven decision-making, have prepared me to serve Lexington effectively in Town Meeting.
To address diverse opinions, active listening and collaborative decision-making are essential. My background as a scientific leader with over 20 years of experience and the path I forged from my Ph.D. to Assistant Professor running my own academic lab at BIDMC and at HMS demonstrate my ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and nurture collaborations. My commitment to community engagement is evident through my involvement in the Lexington community, starting as a school volunteer and progressing to LHS PTO President. As LHS PTO President, I foster communication within the community. My role on the Vision for Lexington Committee and the Affordable Housing Working Group further illustrates my dedication to understanding and incorporating different viewpoints. I have also demonstrated my ability to facilitate dialogue among experts with differing opinions through establishing the BIDMC/HMS Monroe Schlesinger Lecture series, coordinating speakers like Nobel laureate David Baltimore, and moderating discussions. I have experience serving on various committees, including the Ph.D. Task Force Subcommittee and the Awards Review Subcommittee for the American Society of Hematology. This demonstrates my experience in programmatic review, reporting, and mentoring research fellows. This background also demonstrates a capacity to listen, understand, and collaborate with individuals holding diverse opinions, even when they diverge from my own.
What is the most important issue in this election to you personally, and what ideas do you have about how to address this issue?
For me, the most important issue in this election is the success of the LHS Building Project, specifically the Bloom C5.2 design. As LHS PTO President, I walk through LHS at least once a week, and I am tired and dismayed by the disintegrating infrastructure and the overcrowding. As such, I am committed to pausing the plans approved for MBTA multi-family zoning under Article 34 of 2023 to ensure that Lexington can accommodate a growing student population without straining resources or compromising the quality of education.
**LHS Building Project** I support the Bloom design because it aligns with the standards for affordability, sustainability, and efficiency, with the capacity to accommodate over 3,300 students (at 100% capacity). The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) requires all approved school constructions to meet key standards outlined in their Education Plan for affordability, sustainability, and efficiency, and the Bloom plan fully satisfies these requirements. There is no other project design under consideration but Bloom.
MBTA Multi-Family Zoning (Article 34 of 2025, interchangeably referred to as Article 2 (Special Town Meeting 2025-1,March 17, 2025)): I support amending Section 7.5 of the Zoning Bylaw to reduce multi-family dwelling unit capacity from 12,546 units to numbers closer to the required/mandated 1,231-unit capacity. The 12,546-unit capacity adopted under Article 34 of the 2023 Annual Town Meeting more than doubles Lexington’s population. As such, a 2/3 Town Meeting YES vote is needed to allow Lexington to pause, reassess, and reduce the multi-family zoning capacity to numbers that support sustainable growth while mitigating negative impacts. If elected, I will vote YES on Article 34.
If elected, I will prioritize making well-informed decisions based on facts and thoughtful consideration. I am committed to prioritizing sustainability in every decision and creating housing options that meet the needs of the community. These issues demand thoughtful collaboration, and I am dedicated to working alongside fellow Town Meeting Members to secure a bright, inclusive, and sustainable future for Lexington.
As a resident of Lexington since 2001 and a proud parent of an LHS Class of 2026 student, I am deeply invested in the future of our community. Having lived in Precinct 5 since 2005, I am committed to being a dedicated advocate and a strong voice for our Precinct and the entire Lexington community.
My Priorities:
If elected, I will focus on key areas that matter most to our town and its residents:
Addressing Town-wide Issues: I believe in making decisions grounded in facts and thoughtful consideration. Our town’s challenges deserve careful attention and solutions based on data and collaboration.
Environmental Sustainability: Prioritizing sustainability in every decision is crucial for the long-term health of both our community and the planet.
Inclusive Housing Solutions: I am committed to creating housing options that serve everyone in our community, from young families and seniors to Town employees and our children who wish to stay in Lexington.
School Building Capacity and Future Needs: As our town grows, we must ensure our schools can meet the evolving educational needs of all students.
Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: I will advocate for policies that promote equity and mental health support for all students, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive.
Comprehensive Special Education Support: Fostering an inclusive environment for students with special needs is essential, as every learner deserves the support to reach their full potential.
Educational Excellence for All: I will work to ensure that our education system provides opportunities for all students, regardless of ability, to succeed.
Working Together:
I had the honor of meeting fellow candidates at the February 13, 2025 League of Women Voters Town Meeting Candidate Forum. If elected, I look forward to collaborating with other Town Meeting members to help shape a brighter future for Lexington.
I am committed to thoughtful collaboration, critical thinking, and addressing challenges with both confidence and humility. Together, we can ensure a bright, inclusive, and sustainable future for our Lexington community.
I would be honored to have your vote in the March 3, 2025 Annual Lexington Town Elections.
Thank you for your consideration and support!