Mary Ann Sells, M.B.A., Ph.D.

A creative mind for both science and the arts

At age 18, Mary Ann Sells moved from the small town of Aliquippa, Pa., to begin an adventure that has taken her from Boston to Baltimore and several major cities in between. Having relinquished a scholarship to art school, Mary Ann chose a career in biomedical science, where she spent more than 20 years performing experiments in the laboratory. Almost a decade ago, she earned her M.B.A. and moved on to her current position—assistant vice president in Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Office of Sponsored Research—through which she supports many of her former colleagues in securing funding for cancer research.

The long hours in the laboratory and later in business school and research administration have taken precedence over formal art training. All the while, Mary Ann has continued to enrich her knowledge of art through independent study. As she describes it, the intensely creative process of scientific exploration has inspired her to bring a sense of aesthetic elegance to her everyday surroundings.

Several avenues have provided outlets for Mary Ann’s creative works, including her involvement in dance and the art community. She designs and makes costumes for others as well as for her own performances. She is an avid quilter and has a penchant for sculpting and interior design.

Mary Ann lives in Jenkintown, Pa., with husband Jonathan Chernoff—chief scientific officer at Fox Chase—and their artist daughter, Rebecca.