Alumni Update: Taylor
From the moment Taylor Tippett-Ames, Class of 2012, stepped onto the Carrollwood Day School campus as a second grader, knew she had found a place where she could thrive. She spent more than a decade at CDS, building friendships, exploring her interests, and discovering her voice on and off the field. Today, Taylor’s path has taken her across the country as a Clinical Research Associate, but she still traces the foundation of her success back to the classrooms and playing fields that shaped her.
As a student at CDS, Taylor embraced every opportunity that came her way. She played nearly every sport offered, from soccer and track to basketball and cheerleading. She took the stage in every elementary and middle school musical. Looking back, she says those experiences helped shape her into a well-rounded individual.
One of the memories that still stands out for Taylor is her signing day, when she committed to play Division I soccer at the University of South Florida. “It was awesome to experience such genuine support from my teammates, classmates, coaches, and teachers,” she said. Her college journey would later lead her to Eckerd College, where she continued her soccer career as a scholarship athlete and team captain while studying biology. She also minored in both chemistry and anthropology, and earned a spot on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. During her time at Eckerd, she studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain, immersing herself in the Spanish language and culture. After graduating with honors, Taylor pursued a master’s degree in biotechnology at American University. She served as a graduate assistant and helped lead science communications across the College of Arts and Sciences. She also mentored high school students through a STEAMCorps initiative focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. That experience deepened her desire to work in a field where science meets impact
CDS gave me so many opportunities to grow as a student and as a person,” Taylor shared. “The small class sizes and IB education fostered individual growth and critical thinking skills. It really set me up for success once I got to college.
One of the memories that still stands out for Taylor is her signing day, when she committed to play Division I soccer at the University of South Florida. “It was awesome to experience such genuine support from my teammates, classmates, coaches, and teachers,” she said. Her college journey would later lead her to Eckerd College, where she continued her soccer career as a scholarship athlete and team captain while studying biology. She also minored in both chemistry and anthropology, and earned a spot on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. During her time at Eckerd, she studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain, immersing herself in the Spanish language and culture. After graduating with honors, Taylor pursued a master’s degree in biotechnology at American University. She served as a graduate assistant and helped lead science communications across the College of Arts and Sciences. She also mentored high school students through a STEAMCorps initiative focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. That experience deepened her desire to work in a field where science meets impact.
When she completed graduate school, Taylor stepped into the world of clinical research. She began her career at the East Coast Institute for Research, where she gained valuable experience but ultimately realized that the work was not aligned with her passions. That self-awareness led her to Medpace, where she found her stride. As a Clinical Research Associate, she travels around the country visiting research sites, ensuring that studies are conducted ethically and accurately. She has monitored trials across a range of conditions including non-small cell lung cancer, pediatric iron deficiency anemia, and rare genetic diseases. “I love my job,” Taylor said. “Getting to be on-site, seeing the work being done, and knowing that it has the potential to improve lives is incredibly fulfilling.”
Even as she moves forward in her career, Taylor continues to carry with her the values and relationships that shaped her time at CDS.
CDS’s prioritization of character education is something that sets its students apart,” she said. “The teachers and staff at CDS are what make this place so special. I have formed lifelong relationships with many of my former teachers who played such a pivotal role in my success today.
And while her work now takes her into labs and hospitals across the country, there is still a part of her that lights up when she remembers the simple joys of childhood. “Funtastic Friday was always one of my favorite days at CDS,” she said with a smile. “From water bucket relays to eating powdered sugar donuts on a string with no hands, it was always a day of fun outside that I looked forward to.”
Taylor Tippett-Ames continues to build a life that blends science, service, and purpose. Whether she is mentoring students or monitoring groundbreaking clinical trials, her path is a reflection of a strong foundation, a clear sense of direction, and a heart that remains connected to where it all began.
We love sharing our alumni achievements with the CDS community. If you are a CDS Alumni and would like to share your accomplishments, please contact our Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli (Gauthier) Mianne '16 at cmianne@cdspatriots.org and let us know what you have been up to since leaving CDS. We look forward to hearing from you!