Erin Denny: From Scholarship Recipient to NASA
February 14th, 2025
Written by: Melissa Rohlfs
Retired and ‘Searching for Life’
After a early career in the tech sector, Erin Denny had retired to a quiet life in Sonoma County. With the free time to pursue different artistic interests, she was busy, but also described herself as, “a little bored.’ One day, she happened to strike up a conversation with a fellow commuter while doing carpool. It was then she learned that studying biological sciences was possible at the community college level. In her case, by enrolling in a certificate program in Advanced Optical & Fluorescence Microscopy.
Suddenly, a dream of being a scientist or a lab researcher, one she’d secretly held since childhood, seemed possible. Through the certificate program, Erin developed expertise in cell culture, immunocytochemistry, and laboratory management. As she continued to research the community college options available in the Bay Area, the more she believed the support for adult learners such as herself, and flexibility to complete her education on her own timeline, was the best path forward. Eventually her research led her to enroll at Skyline College in San Bruno, Calif.
As a Skyline College Trojan, Erin threw herself into her studies and the campus community. Today, she’s a proud member of the Honors Transfer Program, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and the Women’s Mentorship & Leadership Academy. She also has served on the Advisory Committee for the SMCCD District Participatory Governance Council, where she advocated for students with disabilities and promotes educational excellence, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
From Skyline Trojan to NASA Researcher
In addition to full-time studies at Skyline College, she’s working as a Research Associate, Young Scientist Program, with Blue Marble Space Institute of Science via a grant from, and with scientists at, NASA's Ames Research Center. In this role, Erin contributes to the MATISSE program on the Life Project. This initiative involves developing an automated microscope designed to search for signs of life in watery extraterrestrial environments.
In her free time, she continues working on her pioneering student research on building an “electronic nose," a device aimed at diagnosing urinary tract infections in Alzheimer's patients, reflecting her commitment to applying science to improve the quality of life for individuals.
It Takes A Village:
When asked what initially drew her to Skyline, Erin describes it as two-fold. First, the San Bruno-based college was close to her home. Second, the support she would receive was evident early on, whether from faculty and administrators, truly focused on helping her reach her academic goals. “I knew there was no way I could fail with that kind of support. I was right about that, too.”
“Prof. Suzanne Schubert was the one who originally suggested I apply to the Young Scientist Program at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science (BMSIS), located at NASA Ames Research Center. Then professional development opportunities through professors like Danielle Powell and the Women’s Mentoring and Leadership Academy (WMLA). I’m lucky to call them both friends and mentors today.”
“There have been so many other folks supporting me. I’m also grateful for the support from scholarship donors, like the Assistance League of San Mateo County, a local civic group. Beyond receiving a scholarship, they even invited me to give a talk about my electronic nose and its potential for detecting UTIs, at one of their meetings! I’ve just built this wonderful community here.”
Paying it Forward
“I found my people at Skyline,” jokes Erin. Whether it was through programs like WMLA (Women’s Mentorship and Leadership Academy), Phi Beta Kappa, the college’s honor society, or helping to found SAGE, a student club focused on environmental sustainability. “I completely threw myself into student life and I loved it.”
Erin also credits the SMCCC Foundation’s scholarship donors for supporting her academic journey thus far. “I was a full-time caregiver for an aging relative while also being a full-time student. The financial help made it possible for me to do both.”
“I knew there was no way I could fail with the kind of support I received at Skyline. I was right about that, too. The lessons learned. The gifts received. I don’t take any of it for granted. None of it is forgotten. I look forward to the day that I can do the same for another student.”
Interested in getting involved like Erin?
Join the Foundation’s Board of Directors
Speak to a class or create an internship