Jessica Valladolid
Jessica Valladolid is a genomics researcher, certified Medical Assistant and EMT, and graduate student in biotechnology at the University of California, Irvine. With a strong foundation in both clinical care and laboratory research, she brings a unique, patient-centered perspective to the field of medicine. Currently completing her Master’s degree, Jessica conducts genomics research focused on DNA extraction, chromatin accessibility, and sequencing technologies, contributing to studies that explore genetic markers and disease mechanisms. Her long-term goal is to become an MD-PhD, combining clinical practice with research to advance medical innovation.
Jessica’s journey into healthcare is deeply rooted in hands-on experience and a commitment to service. Over the past five years, she has worked extensively with patients as a medical assistant, EMT, and caregiver, supporting individuals across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, hospice care, and home health settings. She has performed clinical procedures including EKGs, A1C testing, medication administration, and patient assessments, while also serving as a bilingual advocate for Spanish-speaking patients. Her ability to connect with patients from diverse backgrounds reflects her dedication to culturally competent, compassionate care.
Originally from Mexico, Jessica completed much of her early education in Spanish before moving to the United States to pursue her dream of becoming a physician. As a first-generation college graduate, her path has been defined by resilience, purpose, and a desire to give back to underserved communities. Inspired by both personal and cultural experiences, she is particularly passionate about addressing health disparities in metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, which disproportionately impact Hispanic populations. Through her future work in clinical trials, Jessica aims to bridge the gap between research and patient care, improving access and outcomes for communities that need it most.
• Medical Assisting Certification
• EMT Certification
• UC Irvine - Master's degree, Biology/Biological Sciences, General
• UC Irvine - Bachelor of Science - BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, General
• Santa Ana College - Associate of Arts and Sciences - AAS, Biology/Biological Sciences, General
• Universidad Veracruzana - Clinical Nutrition, Health Sciences
• High school leadership club - community service
• Planned Parenthood reproductive health education (in discussion)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the mentors who opened doors for me and encouraged me to pursue higher education. Professor Emily, the head of the medical assisting program, was the first one to encourage me to go into higher education and connected me to internships. Dr. Ali Mortisavi, my PI, opened the door for me to go into research and offered me my master's program, which is mostly paid for with half-time work. He's like a father that sets up things for you to go and do things, even if he's not holding my hand at all times. I also feel that caregiving has given me a lot of awareness of how vulnerable people are, especially when they're sick or when they get older, and that healthcare providers need to be very humble and not lose that humanistic part of healthcare that a lot of times you don't see in a lot of healthcare providers.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think the biggest thing is to make sure that people are aware, especially women, that we have the choice to go into science and to learn new things. Sometimes you just need to channel your needs more than channeling what other people say that you cannot do. That was the hardest thing for me to do, coming from a small town where people's mentality is that you have to have this type of job, and if you come to California, you have to be working and supporting your family and kind of put your dreams aside. That's something that I made sure that I didn't do. I still help my family - my mother has diabetes and I send money when she needs medication or surgeries - but I tried to do that in addition to my personal development and my professional development.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me are maintaining the humanistic part of healthcare and being humble with patients. Caregiving has given me a lot of awareness of how vulnerable people are, especially when they're sick or when they get older, and I've seen that there's a real need for healthcare providers to not lose that humanistic part of healthcare that a lot of times you don't see in healthcare providers. Being with patients in caregiving scenarios, medical assisting, and going to hospitals where you see a lot of sick people has had the major impact on me, making me an advocate of health and healthy habits. Just seeing people inspires me to be able to prepare myself and to become a good doctor in the future, and to understand what they're going through.
Locations
UCI Department of Cell Biology
2011 Biological Sciences III, Irvine, CA 92617