Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Student Profiles of the Week

Name: Katherine Najera

Program: M.S.

Expected graduation year: 2016

Hometown: El Paso, Texas

Why are you interested in biomedical research?
I like to gain a better understanding of the ever-changing body.

Where do you see yourself five years after graduation?
Working toward my Ph.D. or M.D.

Favorite thing to do in El Paso:
Spend time with family.

What do you do in your downtime?
Take my dog to the park and spend time with family and friends.

Three words that best describe you:
Resolute, loyal and high-spirited.

Something about you that not many people know:
I would eventually love to open up and work with a non-profit.

Name: Gabrielle Plata

Program: M.S.

Expected graduation year: 2017

Hometown: Clovis, New Mexico            

Why are you interested in biomedical research?
I want an understanding of the research behind medicine. I believe it will help me in the future as a doctor.

Where do you see yourself five years after graduation?
I hope to be attending medical school.

Favorite thing to do in El Paso:
My favorite thing to do in El Paso is ride my bike.

What do you do in your downtime?
I enjoy reading in my spare time.

Three words that best describe you:
Dedicated, determined and fun.

Something about you that not many people know:
The “Harry Potter” series is my favorite; I have read the entire series multiple times.

Name: Gabriela Segovia

Program: M.S.

Expected graduation year: 2017

Hometown: El Paso, Texas

Why are you interested in biomedical research?
There are still many things we don’t understand scientifically. I’m interested in adding as much as I can to that pool of knowledge.

Where do you see yourself five years after graduation?
I see myself, hopefully, contributing to science somewhere.

Favorite thing to do in El Paso:
Find new places to eat!

What do you do in your downtime?
I play games or hang out with friends. Sometimes both.

Three words that best describe you:
Driven, friendly and caring.

Something about you that not many people know:
People often don’t know that I can speak Spanish. It was actually my first language.