What led you to your current role with NGMBio?

When I was younger, I was really interested in discovery behind the science. My STEM career was not linear and still continues to surprise me. I attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying Biology and Hispanic Linguistics. My STEM courses were extremely challenging. I actually failed my organic chemistry class which encouraged me to try something different and join a biology-based research lab. I realized I enjoyed working in the lab and felt welcome there, and I liked working with my hands. This helped lead me to pursue a career as a scientist. At first, [my experience] was difficult and I did see the differences of being a woman in STEM, and then specifically, a woman of color in STEM. As I ventured into labs that were accepting and open, I felt like my skills got even better.

My interest in environmental justice drew me to an air pollution toxicology lab where the Principal Investigator (PI) took great initiative to mentor his students. During my gap year, I worked in a diverse lab led by a hands-on PI who focused on enhancing career development of his students/staff. In the first year of the pandemic, I was able to gather so many skills after what felt like so many failures. At the beginning of the pandemic, I finished collecting most of the data looking at the cell fate decisions of bile duct cells and hepatocytes which allowed me to write my first author paper. This was a big moment that encouraged me to pursue graduate school. After completing my Master’s of Pharmacology and Toxicology at UC Davis, I began my research position at NGM Bio.

I work on studies and experiments focused on investigating therapeutic efficacy. My team generates preclinical data that we use to bring a drug to human clinical trials. I am also the DEI Community Outreach Pillar at NGMBio which allows me to organize community outreach initiatives such as CRS BASIS and encourage folks at the company to participate.