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When first stepped into the as a , she didn鈥檛 expect to be listed as second author on a major scientific paper just a few years later. Her journey鈥攆rom a curious high school student to a published researcher and future graduate student鈥攊s a powerful example of how opportunity, mentorship, and perseverance can shape a career.
Adamaris鈥檚 interest in science began early. She attended a STEM-focused charter school where she took every science class available鈥攆rom anatomy to environmental studies. 鈥淚 really liked the hands-on aspect,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what kind of sparked it.鈥 Encouraged by a high school teacher, she applied to the , a decision that opened the doors to hands-on research and mentorship.
Once accepted, Adamaris was placed in the McMahon Lab, where she was mentored by . 鈥淭hey made me feel really comfortable,鈥 she recalls. 鈥淓veryone was super nice. If I had a question, I could ask anybody.鈥 That sense of support and collaboration gave her the confidence to ask questions, learn quickly, and contribute meaningfully.
Adamaris鈥檚 work focused on , a protein mutated in about 8% of human cancers and nearly half of cutaneous melanoma cases. Adamaris helped identify a new interaction between BRAF and the tumor suppressor p53鈥攁n insight that could lead to new cancer treatments.
鈥淎damaris is , which is really impressive for an undergraduate student,鈥 says Kayla. 鈥淲e have been so lucky to have her in the lab. She鈥檚 been such an incredible asset鈥 we often refer to her as the 鈥榖ackbone of the lab.鈥
Like any researcher, Adamaris faced setbacks. 鈥淪ometimes the experiments wouldn鈥檛 work, and I鈥檇 have to repeat them,鈥 she says. But she learned to embrace the trial-and-error nature of science. 鈥淚n science, it鈥檚 not always going to work the first time. It鈥檚 trial and error.鈥
Although she started college on a pre-med track, a conversation with Kayla helped her discover a new passion: speech-language pathology. 鈥淚 had a little crisis,鈥 she laughs. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know what to do after undergrad.鈥 With encouragement and guidance from Kayla, Adamaris realized the field combined her love of science with her desire to help people. This fall, she will begin graduate studies in speech-language pathology at the
Adamaris credits much of her success to the mentorship she received through PathMaker and from Kayla. 鈥淪he鈥檚 always been so supportive,鈥 Adamaris says. 鈥淪he helped with everything鈥攆rom lab work to grad school applications. I don鈥檛 think I would鈥檝e had a mentor like that without the PathMaker program.鈥
As , reflects: 鈥淲hen Adamaris first joined my lab, she was quite reserved and quiet. It has been a delight to watch her mature into a scientist over the two years she has worked with us. Moreover, I am delighted that she is following her interests in speech pathology into graduate school at the 人妻中出视频 of Utah. She has an incredibly bright future in front of her, and I am delighted that Kayla and I helped set her on a path to future success."
Adamaris鈥檚 story is a testament to the impact the PathMaker program. They don鈥檛 just offer lab experience鈥攖hey offer belonging, mentorship, and a launchpad for future leaders in science.