Role Models Matter
Texas Biomed’s new Scientist-in-Residence program is already leaving a positive mark on San Antonio students.
The day a scientist from Texas Biomed first visited his high school, 15-year-old Josué Méndez came home and told his parents all about it.
Eyes shining, Méndez recounted the story Israel Guerrero-Arguero, PhD, had shared with the class about his own background. He was born in Mexico and his working-class parents taught him to value education while also encouraging his curiosity in science. After graduating from college in Monterrey, Guerrero moved to the United States and received his PhD in microbiology. Now, he is an infectious disease researcher at Texas Biomed.
“Before, I thought scientists were mostly born here in the United States and that their parents had been born here too,” says Méndez, who is interested in orthopedics and whose parents are from Mexico. “But I was so excited that day telling my parents because (Guerrero) showed me that you can be from anywhere and be a scientist.”
Such inspiration is at the heart of why Texas Biomed recently began the new Scientist-in-Residence Program as part of its Discovery and Learning Initiative, says Rosemary Riggs, PhD, Education Outreach Programs Manager. The initiative is dedicated to educating the next generation of STEM and bioscience leaders and advocates.
“These classroom visits are pivotal for students to learn about the diverse career opportunities within science research,” Dr. Riggs says. “The mission is to provide an innovative approach to connect students and teachers with scientists through in-person and virtual lessons and presentations.”
Dr. Guerrero’s time at Brooks Collegiate Academy, a PreK-12 campus in San Antonio, represents the beginning pilot of the Scientist-in-Residence Program, which will expand as funding and donations allow, Dr. Riggs says.
“We’ve designed it so our scientists can interact in an impactful manner with students and also collaborate with teachers to integrate bioscience research in the classroom,” she says.
Dr. Guerrero says that his “why” for volunteering stems from some parting words his dean had for him upon college graduation.
“He said something that really stuck with me, which was, ‘Now, you are a very privileged person. And you are in debt, so you need to pay back. So find where you can do that,’” Dr. Guerrero recalls.
The Scientist-in-Residence Program is that place, he says.
“Hearing stories like the one from Josué, it makes it all really worth it,” Dr. Guerrero says. “What I get back in return is the satisfaction of sharing what I know and communicating it to non-scientists so they can understand what’s going on. I really hope to inspire some young people to become scientists, so they can bring in their diverse perspectives and points of view to our world.”