Patria Rojas
I lead the scientific aspects of my research projects on a day-to-day basis. I'm in charge of ensuring the research protocols are followed and that the methodological approach is scientifically sound. I oversee how the data is collected, the IRB protocols, and everything that has to do with the scientific part of the studies. I supervise project coordinators and manage the budgets, making sure they're appropriately managed. I report to the National Institute of Health on the progress of the studies, and I'm also responsible for publishing the results of the studies. My background is as a biologist, and I studied with an emphasis in pre-med, thinking I was going to medical school. But while in college, I was working in a lab in a community health clinic doing HIV testing, and that's when I conceived a different perspective. I started to see that there are many factors that affect health, particularly social factors, the social determinants of health like the place that you live, the place that you work, your race, your gender, your socioeconomic status, your education. That's when I expanded my view into seeing health not just restricted to the biology of it, but more holistically in the public health field. For my entire career, I've been funded through the National Institute of Health, and I've been responsible for helping ensure over $20 million in funding. I've been able to cover 60% of my salary for my entire career through research funding, so I've always been able to watch and find funding without having to rely solely on the university. I'm very proud of that.
• Certifications in Maternal and Child Health
• Certifications in Program Management
• Bachelor's in Biology
• Master's in Public Health from Boston University
• PhD in Social Administration with emphasis in Public Health
What do you attribute your success to?
My success is 90% work and 10% intelligence. It's 90% sweat. My success is hard work. It's been a lot of work, a lot of preparation, a lot of study. And then be prepared. Once you prepare, then luck is around the corner. I think preparation favors luck, or luck favors the one who prepares. In preparation, you need discipline. Obviously, because you have to be disciplined. And you have to be consistent. Consistency and discipline, for sure.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to always keep learning. Never stop learning. Keep learning diverse things because that prepares yourself for changes in the future, particularly in our area of research.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
First, invest in their skills and in their knowledge. Build skills and invest in knowledge that is transferable, such as leadership and critical thinking, because now with artificial intelligence, it's more and more important to build critical thinking skills. To learn how to ask questions. Asking the correct questions is more important than anything. It starts with a great question. And very important to learn about how to be financially literate. To learn about how to manage their finances, to seek financial independence. That's very important. A lot of women don't focus on that. Also, I see that we need to be advocating for ourselves. So to learn how to advocate for themselves, be more confident about their skills and how to negotiate their salaries and so on and so forth. I mean, obviously, I'm in the health field, so in terms of health, to make sure they don't forget about the importance of resting and prevent burnout. It happens very, very often with the demands and responsibilities.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There's been a lot of challenges with funding. Good challenges in trying to attain funding for research, for scientists, particularly when you're trying to attain funding for research designed to study immigrant populations and challenges such as HIV and AIDS. Funding to ensure there is scientific work being done with populations and health issues that affect minorities is challenging. Funding for that, it's just challenging.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, integrity, loyalty, and service are most important. Service to others is very important, and humility.
Locations
Florida International University
Miami, FL