
Marbel Torres
Laboratory Chief
ESPE
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Focus on your goals and fight for them.
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WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am a researcher in biotechnology. I teach immunology and virology, and I work in my immunology lab where we have some research projects in the areas of antibodies, parasites and nanomedicine.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?
I chose the biological sciences because I am fascinated by cellular functioning and host response to pathogens. It is a very new area, and there are very exciting technological advances.
I am also passionate about nanomedicine in references in new biomaterials to improve for example the development of pharmaceuticals.
I like very much to share with my student's experiences, I have had very nice ones which have given me the strength to continue preparing myself, I had the opportunity to study in France and it was enriching at a professional and personal level.
HOW DO/DID YOU TACKLE OBSTACLES?
In my experience, every obstacle strengthens us and encourages us to continue fighting for our ideals. At the salary level in my first jobs I was not the same as my colleagues but this only strengthened me to know what I wanted in the future and I fulfilled my goals as a woman in my research area and share my knowledge with my students.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"
I believe that every time the youth know what they want and fight for it, every time there are empowered people and make their voices heard despite the lack of opportunities, and little by little they are breaking through gaps.
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?
Education has been my first experience working with students who were only 5 years older than me and it was a challenge to teach the classes but little by little I was managing my courses.
BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?
My advice to youth is to focus on your goals and fight for them, take every opportunity that comes your way and seek the support of other women as coaching.
Know you are valuable for your skills, intelligence and strengths because by knowing yourselves you will realize that no goal is impossible.
INSPIRATION
My inspiration is every woman I have met who has made her way on her own with her children and each one of them has studied and excelled, improving their education, work and being quality people.
It is my dream to promote women and science without victimization.