We’re excited to welcome Dr. Laura DeLoretta to the Office for Professional Writing, Publishing, & Communication within the Academic Commons, where she’ll be a key resource for Jefferson researchers looking to sharpen their professional communication and publish impactful work. In this staff spotlight, Laura shares her career journey, how she hopes to contribute to Jefferson’s research community, and a few personal interests. Take a moment to get to know Laura.
You have an interesting background! Prior to joining Jefferson as an editor in the OPWPC, you worked as a researcher in developmental psychology & emotional regulation. Can you share a bit about your journey from research to community outreach and scholarly communications?
Yes! I earned my PhD in developmental psychology from the University of California Riverside where I studied emotion regulation. Spending time with children and families in the research lab showed me how essential science communication and community outreach are. So, in addition to publishing my research for academic audiences, I pursued other opportunities to share my research with broader audiences like children, parents, and community members. Whether through a peer-reviewed journal article or social media post, I care deeply about making science accessible and meaningful.
How are you settling into your role as an editor in the OPWPC? What drew you to this position?
I’m really enjoying my new role! My background in research combined with my passion for mentorship drew me toward consulting and scholarly communication. Editing manuscripts reminds me of solving a puzzle, and I get a lot of satisfaction from helping writers to get their ideas published.
How do you envision your experience with conducting research and publishing will help support your new role?
As an emotions researcher, I know firsthand that research, writing, and publishing are emotional endeavors! Null findings and rejections are all part of academic life, and persistence is key. Having been through it myself, I hope to help clients manage the emotional barriers to writing, like impostor syndrome, procrastination, and writer’s block. Writing and publishing are difficult enough, and I hope to make the process easier and more empowering!
What types of work and projects can you assist Jefferson faculty and researchers with?
I can support every part of the writing process—writing grants, getting a manuscript started, copy editing, responding to reviewer comments, and preparing presentations. I can also provide feedback on public speaking and other forms of scholarly communication!
What’s the best way for colleagues to reach out to you for collaboration or consultation?
I can be reached via email (laura.deloretta@jefferson.edu) or by scheduling a consultation on the Academic Commons website.
Are there particular types of projects or research areas you’re especially eager to get involved with?
I’m especially excited to support projects for broader audiences, such as the three-minute thesis presentations, editorial pieces, or visual abstracts. I also welcome opportunities to work on projects related to emotions, child development, and psychology, which are close to my heart.
When you're not immersed in editing a manuscript or providing communications feedback, what do you enjoy doing to unwind or recharge?
When I’m not working, you can find me on my South Philly roof deck soaking up the sun (something I definitely miss about SoCal), listening to an audiobook, and crocheting. I’m an introvert, so I rely on quiet time to recharge. I am also a proud pet parent to a cat (Pepper) and a dog (Toby) and cuddling with them is another one of my favorite ways to unwind.
Any favorite books, podcasts, or hobbies that keep you inspired outside of work?
I’m an avid reader and journaler, and I occasionally write creative fiction. I find that immersing myself in words keeps me inspired—if I can’t write, I read. My library holds list is packed with fantasy, thrillers, sci-fi, historical fiction, and non-fiction (usually memoirs or psychological theory). Piranesi comes to mind as a story that perfectly encapsulates the fantastical and sometimes heart-breaking life of an observer, scientist, and writer.
