The RMI Spotlight series features our current and former students involved with the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute’s Research Mentoring Internship (RMI) Program, where students gain real-world work experience as researchers in a supportive laboratory environment! This week, we are catching up with former RMI student Milagros Guadalupe Rivera as they discuss how RMI has impacted their research interests. (Photo of Milagros Guadalupe Rivera)
Interview by Krizia Chambers
Can you briefly describe your experience with RMI? And what did you gain from participating in the program?
My experience with RMI happened throughout the course of 2 years – it was a bit sad, seeing as both years were spent under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic and thus I had very little in-person exposure to my cohort. But we still met online through Zoom, which was great! RMI helped me spread my wings and be brave by reaching out to scientists I really admired and wanted to learn more from. I was able to make connections with the UC Santa Cruz Paleogenomics Lab this way and remain affiliated with them ever since. I really enjoyed all of the professional development we received as well – I didn’t realize how valuable it all was until after I graduated! But it really prepared me for my PhD as someone who had absolutely no experience with academia beforehand. Overall, I had a really rewarding experience despite the fact that this all happened over the course of lockdown, and I really appreciate the mentorship I received, especially from Dr. Zia Isola.
What was the most challenging part of the program? How do you think you overcame this challenge?
I think I faced a unique challenge being the only student (at the time) who was more interested in applying genomics towards the conservation of wildlife and ecosystem science instead of the biomedical route. I loved hearing about what my cohort was doing, and was always in awe learning about their research which often included the genomics/transcriptomics/proteomics of cancer and the development of other genetically linked diseases. However, sometimes I felt a little left out of the dynamics and a bit behind the rest of my cohort as I didn’t have the same training as they did (I was a marine biology major in ecology and evolutionary biology, while everyone else seemed to be exclusively involved in molecular, cell and developmental biology). However, by the end, I felt extremely supported by both mentors and my cohort, and they made me feel like what I was doing wasn’t a “lesser than” pursuit and was inherently worthwhile. The encouragement I received was extremely helpful in overcoming imposter syndrome and feeling like I didn’t belong!
What advice would you like to lend to the new cohort of RMI students?
You belong here! You’ve worked so hard and accomplished so much, and by virtue of being chosen to be part of the RMI program means that you’re doing amazing things and have what it takes to reach your goals. Also, please never ever be afraid to ask for help, both from your mentors and your cohort – people are always willing to help, and it also does not make you less-than. It never will! People love when others ask questions and admit they don’t know – it definitely makes progressing in life so much easier.
What are you doing now? How did what you learned in RMI help you get where you are?
I am currently a third year PhD student at UC Santa Cruz who is studying the genomics of the northern elephant seal! Literally my dream when I was an undergrad. I don’t think I could have done it without the help of RMI, honestly. There was a lot of very rewarding and valuable advice from my time at RMI that I still hold on to to this very day, such as the professional development and networking tips that we received. RMI was also instrumental in me receiving the NSF GRFP award with all the workshops and writing help that was offered. I also remember Zia’s amazing mentorship and advice to heart and think back on all the conversations we had together prior to and after starting my PhD.
What advice would you give to current RMI students?
Keep going – it’s worthwhile to pursue things you thought you could never achieve in a million years. I came to UC Santa Cruz thinking I would never go to graduate school – it just seemed too mysterious, too grand, and too scary, and I didn’t think I was smart or diligent enough for it. But now that I’m here, I realize that I love what I’m doing, and that these things are never as scary as I make them seem in my head. Whether you decide to go straight to a graduate program after you graduate, decide to wait and rest for a while before doing so, or decide to head into the industry straight away instead, do it with confidence! Everything will be ok 🙂