The SACNAS National Conference: A Family of Mentors & A World of Opportunity
My undergraduate advisor, Dr. Laura J. Robles (California State University, Dominguez Hills) took me to my first SACNAS conference in 2000. For me, SACNAS was love at first sight. At the SACNAS conferences I have met excellent mentors that have been instrumental in both my scientific and professional development and I have been exposed to many opportunities to further my education and pursue my career in science. I am currently pursuing a PhD in the Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology (MPPB) Program at Brown University.
Early on, Dr. Robles taught me—and all of her students—to dress professionally, bring business cards, and envelope labels that included our personal contact information to facilitate networking with mentors and recruiters. Even with my advisor’s support, I was still very timid at my first SACNAS conference. But the “Conversations with Scientists” activity taught me the importance of asking questions and networking. Over the years, I have attended different sessions to learn about the graduate school application process, scholarships, fellowships, as well as internship opportunities and the “tell me about yourself: the one-minute bio-sketch.”
Taking Action on Opportunities
At the 2001 SACNAS National Conference, I presented a poster on my undergraduate research work for the first time. During that time, I also learned about the different summer internships that were available for students such as the Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) in which I decided to apply and got accepted in 2002. I participated in the Leadership Alliances Program at Brown University and this was my first introduction to this university. Being raised and educated in the city of Compton, California, I had no idea where Brown University was located or that it was an Ivy League school.
At the 2004 SACNAS National Conference, Judit Camacho (previous SACNAS Executive Director) gave me information on the Introduction to Cancer Research Careers (ICRC) program at the National Cancer Institute. I applied and got accepted. After graduating from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2004, and participating in the ICRC program, I was accepted to a post baccalaureate program at the NCI in Frederick, Maryland (2004 - 2006).
Be Open to Possibilities
At the 2011 SACNAS National Conference I met another new mentor, Dr. Nancy Hurtado-Ziola. Dr. Lino Gonzalez (a mentor and past SACNAS Board of Directors member) introduced us and we started conversing about my research which focuses on the roles of insulin resistance and ceramide-mediated lipotoxicity as propagators and perpetuators of hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress due to alcohol exposure. I shared with her my enthusiasm to learn about Electron Microscopy (EM) and how I was thinking of incorporating it into my studies to visualize the ultra-structure of the ER and mitochondria after alcohol exposure in our rat model in relation to the different treatments used. Right away and without knowing me, she offered to give some EM books! After the conference, Dr. Hurtado-Ziola mailed me three books. I was actually going to purchase two of the books she gave me, but was waiting to save enough money to buy them. Dr. Hurtado-Ziola’s generosity is a perfect example of why I always urge students to be proactive and use the SACNAS conference as an opportunity to network because you never know who you will meet or what you will learn!
Get Ready to be Recharged
It is hard to describe how I feel each time I attend a SACNAS conference—it feels like coming home. My SACNAS familia pours out positive energy and I am ready to receive it! During the SACNAS conference I “recharge my batteries” to continue working hard and reaching for my goals regardless of any road blocks that arise. My love for SACNAS keeps growing and every time I attend the SACNAS conference, I gain a great amount of inspiration to continue my personal and professional development. My dream is to one day become a SACNAS president and be able to give back to my SACNAS familia even more.
Coming Full Circle
I am excited to announce that my three first author manuscripts were recently accepted for publication! I am very grateful to my current thesis research advisor Dr. Suzanne de la Monte because with her mentorship and support I have been able to publish these manuscripts.PS: my first accepted manuscript “Structural correlates of PPAR agonist rescue of experimental chronic alcohol-induced steatohepatitis,” includes a lot of EM images. Thank you Dr. Hurtado-Ziola for the support and the EM Books!
Ramirez T, Tong M, Ayala CA, Monfils PR, McMillan PN, Zabala V, Wands JR, de la Monte SM. “Structural correlates of PPAR agonist rescue of experimental chronic alcohol-induced steatohepatitis”. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pathology, 2012.
Ramirez T, Longato L, Dostalek M, Tong M, Wands JR, de la Monte SM. “Insulin resistance, ceramide accumulation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in experimental chronic alcohol-induced steatohepatitis”. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 2012.
Ramirez T, Tong M, Chen WC, Nguyen QG, Wands JR, de la Monte SM. “Chronic alcohol-induced hepatic insulin resistance, ceramide accumulation, and edoplasmic reticulum stress ameliorated by PPAR-delta agonist treatment”. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2012.
About the author: Teresa Ramirez is a PhD candidate at Brown University and a SACNAS Friend of the Society. She has served as a student representative on the SACNAS Board of Directors and a past member (2006-2010) of the SACNAS Chapter Committee.Teresa is now the Brown University SACNAS Chapter founder and president.
