Daniel Menendez
Power Words
Where were you born?
Mexico City, Mexico
What school did you attend?
Universidad Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM) for Ph.D.
What gained you interest in the NIH?
As soon as I finished my Ph.D. in Genetics and Environmental Toxicology, I learned that the strategic goals and mission of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH) was a fit to my background and the scientific work that I wanted to develop at that time. In addition, the NIEHS and the other NIH 26 institutes and centers were the ideal place for me to train and gain scientific working experience.
What kind of work do you do at the NIH?
I am a Staff Scientist. I study the role of the tumor suppressor p53 on the immune response during pathogen infections and other environmental threats.
What message would you like to send to young Hispanics who are considering going to college?
Going to college is a life experience that when possible everyone should have in their life. It’s not just what you learn academically, it’s the opportunity that you will have to learn and grow as human being. A college experience will give you useful tools that you can use for the rest of your life.