FELLOW PROFILE

Carmen Michaylira
Postdoctoral Fellow, Cancer Research
University of Pennsylvania, Cancer Research
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

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 postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania.  My research focuses on generating novel models of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in order to identify genetic mediators of this cancer.

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Tallahassee, Florida, but I moved to Mexico when I was 3 months old.  I lived in Mexico until I was 9 years old and then moved to Fairfax, Virginia.

Where did you receive your undergraduate and graduate degrees?I received my undergraduate degree from The Pennsylvania State University and my graduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

What was your favorite subject in grade school, middle school, high school? (Answer for all three academic levels: If it is the same, it doesn’t matter.)
My favorite subjects were Math in grade school, Math in middle school and Chemistry in high school.

Who was your favorite K-12 teacher, and why?
My favorite teacher was Ms. Tere Ortiz. She was my 3rd grade teacher and was known as the toughest teacher in the school.  She always expected the best out of every student and would not tolerate a lack of effort.   She was an excellent Math teacher and was responsible for the high interest I developed in the subject. 

What would you say is the MOST important characteristic of a great mentor?
A great mentor puts your best interests ahead of their own. 

If you could choose one other career (something other than science) what would it be, and why?
If I could choose a different career it would have been architecture.  I have always enjoyed building and designing.  Moreover, I would have been able to use my interest in Math.  I admire great architects for creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also functional. 

If you could give ONE piece of advice to students younger than yourself who want to go into science, what would that be?
My one piece of advice would be to start gaining laboratory experience as soon as possible through summer programs or in college laboratories.  Gaining laboratory experience allows you to more narrowly define your interests in science, and gives you a clearer picture of the type of training needed to perform your particular science.