Guy Gottlieb
Gill chatted with Guy Gottlieb to learn more about his exploration of civic science as a college student.
Introducing Guy
Guy is a rising junior at Tufts University, studying biology with a minor in chemistry.
Guy was PGED’s Civic Biology Intern from January-April 2025 through the Tufts Civic Biology Fellowship program. The program’s curriculum is centered around civic engagement, cultural humility, and equity in science. Guy worked with Gill to coordinate community programs across the Tufts campus, where he utilized PGED’s Share Your Stance on Personal Genetics card game to facilitate discussions about genetics and society.
Gill: Tell me a bit about what you do.
Guy: I’m studying biology at Tufts with a minor in chemistry. I’ve been enjoying taking history courses and political science as well, even though they’re my worst grades. I like to cook and read books. I actually just started making bagels from scratch at home -plain, blueberry, cinnamon raisin-they’re pretty good.
I’m also one of the volunteer student leaders for an after-school care program for middle school students, which has been a lot of fun. I work as a lifeguard and supervisor at a pool at home and on campus.
Gill: Why did you choose to study biology?
Guy: I’ve always loved to read; my favorite things to read about when I was younger were animals. As I got older, I found biology to be the most interesting subject. I think I was set on a track to study life sciences from an early age.
Gill: In addition to studying biology in the classroom, you were a Civic Biology Fellow this semester. Tell me about the program.
Guy: It’s a year-long program that trains the next generation of scientists to be more aware of how their work impacts the community and how it occurs within communities. During the second semester, students are placed with an organization, like I was with PGED, to put their civic engagement skills to work on a community project. Hopefully, students will then take and apply the skills they developed through the program throughout the rest of their lives.
Gill: What was the most important thing you learned from your Fellowship experience?
Guy: For researchers and the communities they’re working with, trust isn’t something you can just expect from people; it takes time to build. And it’s not ever perfect–you can break it at any moment. So it’s important to maintain that.
Gill: What is one project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of?
Guy: During my first semester at school, I took a history class about foreign policy. We had to write a massive research paper, which was something I’d never done before. It took months of work outside my biology studies. I was pretty proud of it by the end.
Gill: What do you see yourself doing after graduation?
Guy: I’ve thought about doing research or being a physician. I’m a person who’s usually a bit nervous when I go to the doctor, but my doctor immediately shuts all of that down. I had a check-up the other day, and was like, wow, I want to be someone who makes other people feel this way someday.
Gill: It was so great to work with you on our community programs. If you worked with PGED again on another project, what would it be?
Guy: I’d like to go to middle and elementary schools and play a game or teach a lesson. I feel like when you’re a kid, those are the kinds of experiences in school that you remember the most.
Gill: What would you like to check off your bucket list?
Guy: Climbing Mt. Everest would be cool! Running a marathon would also be great. And I guess, keeping with the bagel theme from earlier, it would be fun to open a bakery when I retire.
Gill: Do you have any advice that you want to share with fellow undergraduate students?
Guy: Try to go to bed early so you can wake up early and be more productive. Also, don’t take everything so seriously. This is the time to enjoy exploring yourself. Make mistakes, go out and try new things, and don’t be afraid to fail.
