Martin Mendoza
Power Words
Where were you born?
San Antonio, Texas
What school did you attend?
University of Maryland Baltimore County (BS); Johns Hopkins University (PhD)
What gained you interest in the NIH?
The opportunity to gain experience at arguably the most famous biomedical research facility in the world.
What kind of work do you do at the NIH?
Since high school, I've been associated with the NIH as laboratory research trainee intern, later a post baccalaureate IRTA fellow, graduate student researcher, and as a Health Program Specialist . Currently I work for the FDA.
What message would you like to send to young Hispanics who are considering going to college?
Growing up in a Hispanic family, several family members and/or friends may not have attended college or have no plans to. They may have some money, a car, their own apartment and so may appear to be doing just fine. However, I urge you to not fall into that trap and to just push yourself to do more, to be more. It can be difficult to see your friends out having fun with money in their pocket while you are stuck at home studying. However, I can promise that if you keep working hard and get your undergraduate and/or graduate degree, the payoff at the end will be well worth the time you put in. Your degree(s) will open up a whole new world of learning, fulfilling careers, and opportunities that those without college degrees will unfortunately and likely never have access to. So I encourage you to set clear goals, continue to work hard, and never waver in your pursuit of those goals. If you can follow through with that, it will be a life-changing event that you will never regret.