Tell us about your background.
I grew up in south Texas and attended The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley where I received a bachelor’s degree in biology. I wanted to pursue an advanced degree, so I decided to get my master’s degree. I studied microbiology and earned a Master of Science through the study of brain cancer. Upon graduating, I learned of a position in the Tao lab, which studies cancer and I thought it would be a good fit. I have been working at Sanford Research since 2021 and I enjoy living in Sioux Falls. It’s nice to have a cold season. I especially love it when the leaves turn color in the fall.
Tell us a little bit about your job.
Our lab focuses on cancer research and works with both mice and cells. Some of the things that I regularly do are genotyping to determine what genes are present in each of our mice. I also am tasked with collecting tissue samples from tumors that grow in the mice, and culturing cells that I later use to see how certain drugs may affect growth and survival.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is when we get results that are unexpected and interesting. The idea of finding something that could lead to a groundbreaking discovery is very exciting.
What part of your job do you dislike?
Some of the experiments we run can be quite tedious and take quite a few hours. When performing some of these experiments it can cause me to stay a lot later than usual and can be tiring, so I don’t enjoy the few times this has to happen.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I have been playing billiards since I was a kid. Ever since my grandfather bought a billiards table I have played with my family and have gotten quite good. For fun I enjoy going out with friends and challenging people to a friendly competition. I also have a passion for gardening which allows me to spend time creating my own food. I have an Australian Shepherd named Aspen and I enjoy taking her to parks where we both stretch our legs and breathe fresh air. We love to explore new areas and enjoy the beauty of being surrounded by peacefulness.
Who is your favorite scientist?
My favorite scientist is Rosalind Franklin, who played a crucial role in the understanding of genetics.
Do you have any advice for high school students?
My advice to high school students interested in research is to look for programs available to them and get some experience in the field. Research is all about making discoveries and making a difference, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and let curiosity be your guide.
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Master of Science in Microbiology
