FELLOW PROFILE

Pedro Rodriquez
 PhD Candidate
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-
New Jersey Medical School

 

What is your current academic (or professional) affiliation (where do you work – go to school, etc.), and what is your current research area?

I am a 5th-year PhD Candidate at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School.  My work focuses on the signaling distinctions between 3 highly homologous Rho GTPases and how they may (or may not) affect cellular transformation leading to cancer.  

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Queens, New York City (specifically, Astoria) and lived there until the age of 11 and then moved to Ewing, New Jersey where I remained throughout middle and high school.

Where did you receive your undergraduate and graduate degrees?

My Bachelor of Arts degree was from Rutgers University (New Brunswick) and someday I will say that my PhD was from UMDNJ.

What was your favorite subject in grade school, middle school, high school?

My favorite subjects in grade school—besides gym—were computers and social studies, whereas in middle school I think it was math. (I had a really good teacher and that made all the difference).  In high school is when I found my calling in the sciences, particularly Biology and Physics. 

Who was your favorite K-12 teacher, and why?

That’s a tough question.  From the ones I can remember I would have to say Mr. Kitashima the 9th grade Biology 1 teacher.  It was he who really got me excited by the idea of biology, which prompted me to take Biology 2 and then AP Biology, where I had another great teacher Mr. Wamelsdorf.  I would have to give most credit to Mr. Kit for that initial inspiration.

What would you say is the MOST important characteristic of a great mentor?

The most important characteristic of a mentor in my opinion is the ability to be extremely observant.  I only recently learned this from an opportunity I had to mentor high school/college students over the summer.  Many people can teach, and some much better than others, but it isn’t until you closely monitor a protégé’s behavior that their subtle hardships become more evident. 

If you could choose one other career (something other than science) what would it be, and why?

Tourism Specialist.  These are PhD professionals who write books about worldwide destinations and study everything from hotels to beaches to hotspots.  I love traveling, learning about different cultures and eating all kinds of food.

If you could give ONE piece of advice to students younger than yourself who want to go into science, what would that be?

Of course it is difficult—anything that’s worth having in this world is—but stay strong.  There will be many times that people challenge your abilities as a scientist and may even try to belittle them.  In these times you have to remember that initial passion that got you here in the first place and hold on tight (and don’t show it to anyone except those CLOSEST to you).

When you graduate, what do you regard as the MOST important contribution you can make to society?

Teaching.  I love to do it and if I can inspire others to pursue their talents, skills and/or dreams (especially in the sciences) while having them want to teach and mentor other students I would regard this as the MOST important contribution.  Second to this is a novel breakthrough therapy in a devastating pathology, such as cancer.

When you turn fifty years old, what do you MOST want to be able to say about your life?

Passion was my priority.  My family, friends, career(s), hobbies, etc. were all centered on a passion for life…living it and observing it.