Raquell Holmes, PhD

Dr. Holmes is a computational cell biologist and a pioneer in using improvisational performance to build inclusive, developmental science communities. After earning her Ph.D. at Tufts Sackler School of Biomedicine, she completed her postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. She then joined Boston University as a Research Assistant Professor and University of Connecticut Health Center as the Director of Outreach, Recruitment and Retention for the Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling. She is author of the book Cell Biologist’s Guide to Modeling and Bioinformatics.

Throughout her career with educational outreach programs in computing disciplines, she has been known for creating multi-racial, collaborative environments in which scientists, engineers and students learn and grow. She continues to influence professional development within science, math and computing fields via traditional and innovative platforms.

She trained at the East Side Institute in the performance-based approach to human development called social therapeutics. This approach is used in corporate leadership development, therapy offices, hospitals, after-school programs and communities world-wide. Dr. Holmes has founded numerous cultural learning initiatives amidst an international community of educators, trainers and researchers who use play and creativity to address educational and humanitarian needs.