Her Story
About Tatiana
I am originally from Colombia, where research in science is not typically the first career option. I was always good at science, biology, and chemistry, and I had a teacher in high school who told me I had creativity and strategic thinking, that I had what was needed for a researcher - always curious with different ways to think about different problems. That was the first thing that got me into considering science as a possibility. I went on to study biochemistry and became very interested in research in the lab. I started working in a DNA testing lab, and it was very interesting to me how with a very simple assay, you could change someone's life - defining if someone was their father or not. I was very young when I started working there, and it was fascinating that with a simple assay, we could have such an impact on someone's life. That's how I got very passionate about research and lab life. I moved to Europe when I was young to pursue a master's degree, then completed a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology in Spain. Ten years ago, I moved to New York to work at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, first as a postdoctoral fellow, and then I got promoted and transitioned to my current role as Scientific Research Lead, which I've held for 4 years. As a scientist, I analyze a lot of patient data at this cancer center where we have many clinical trials. I design studies for how the trials will be conducted and then analyze the data that I generate. I work in a department that makes the bridge between patients and companies that have developed new drugs or assays to detect cancer earlier, so I have a lot of meetings with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Some days are filled with meetings, and other days I can focus more on data analysis, writing manuscripts, and proposals. I am now in a transition period where I am trying to go to a new place after working at this hospital for 10 years. I would love to go to maybe a pharmaceutical company or another institution where I can impact a broader patient population.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tatiana
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think mentorship is important, and not only you to have mentors, but also try to mentor people. I think we always can have something to teach others based on our experiences, but also that gives you the opportunity to connect with people in a different level. So it's important to always look at people that can support you, but also try to support in your own path others. Sometimes it's hard to find people that are willing to do that because it requires time, but it's so important that you have that mentality of providing others with your perspective. It means a lot for people that are in different stages. I do believe that, and not always like formal mentorship, but at the same time, it's so important.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think, in general, the system has not been originally designed for people like me, like Latina. It's predominantly white, male. But this is changing, I think. So it's important to have in mind that even though the groups don't look exactly like you, you have to be willing to be strategic and also it requires to build community. At the end of the day, connections and relationships with other people is what makes you able to stay where you are and make the place yours as well. I think it's clear that we still have a lot of work to do for people like me to be part of the field, but I think it's changing, and we have to be willing to help others to be comfortable and more inclusive in these different spaces.
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