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Hometown: McAllen, TX
Tell us about your journey into medicine or science and what inspired you to pursue your career.
My family fostered both a love of science and a strong commitment to service. Growing up, our household subscribed to Discover Magazine, and I was fascinated by stories about scientists, the questions they pursued, and how their discoveries could affect people and communities.
That early curiosity stayed with me and helped sustain me through the inevitable challenges of scientific training. At the same time, I grew up in a family that valued service and taught me to think beyond myself—to ask, "How can I make the things around me better?" Looking back, it is not a coincidence that I found my way to public health and epidemiology.
The field lets me bring together two things that have motivated me throughout my life: the curiosity to understand why patterns of health and disease occur and the responsibility to use that knowledge to improve community health. That intersection of science and service continues to shape the questions I pursue and the kind of scientist and leader I aspire to be.
What do you enjoy most about your work at UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV, and what keeps you inspired?
What I enjoy most is the people. I get to work with some of the most dedicated and talented colleagues I have met in my career, and we share a sense that our work matters.
Whether we are conducting research, developing programs, training the next generation, or working alongside our communities, our work connects tangibly with the people we serve. That is what keeps me inspired. The work can be challenging, but being surrounded by people equally committed to making a difference reminds me why it's worth doing.
How has the landscape for women in medicine and science changed throughout your career?
I have seen more women enter medicine and science and take on visible leadership roles. At the same time, I wouldn't say the path has necessarily become easier. Academic medicine and science remain highly competitive, research funding is increasingly difficult to secure, and opportunities for advancement can still be uneven.
Over the course of my career, I have learned that resilience is not simply about continuing to do the same thing despite those challenges. It is also about being willing to adapt. For me, that means continually asking where my skills as a scientist and leader are most needed and how our work can remain responsive to the communities we serve.
Priorities and funding landscapes will change, but important problems will remain. If we stay grounded in those problems, listen to our communities, and are willing to evolve how we approach them, meaningful opportunities for women to lead and contribute to science will continue.
Who has inspired you most in your career, and what is one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of women in medicine and science?
I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship and sponsorship I have received throughout my career. I often joke that I must be nearing my lifetime quota of great mentors because I have been fortunate to have people who have challenged me, advocated for me, opened doors, and sometimes helped me see a path forward when I could not see it myself.
My advice to the next generation of women in medicine and science is to find those people. Seek out mentors, coaches, sponsors, and colleagues who are genuinely invested in your growth, and recognize that different people may serve those roles at different points in your career.
Just as importantly, be thoughtful about whom you choose to work with—many talented, generous people in science. Scientific accomplishment and seniority are important, but they are not substitutes for being a good mentor or collaborator. Find people who challenge you, respect you, and make you better. Most importantly, as your career progresses, make sure you become that person for someone else.
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