The Pipette Gazette recently had the opportunity to interview, Dr. Jorge Medina, a doctoral student in the Integrated Multidisciplinary Graduate Program (IMGP) – Microbiology and Immunology Track, working under the mentorship of Dr. Peter H. Dube. The title of Dr. Medina’s dissertation was “The Impact of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Cards Toxin in Asthma Pathogens.”

[PG] What did you learn during your graduate student career? 

[Dr. Medina]I learned to be a better scientist and to think more critically. I learned how to be confident even when more senior scientists challenge my research.

[PG] What’s next? 

[Dr. Medina] I have a postdoctoral fellowship at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research in San Antonio, TX.

[PG] Any advice for your fellow graduate students? 

[Dr. Medina] My most important advice would be to have a strong support network. Graduate school is one of the toughest things you will ever do and it only gets harder if you don’t have good friends and family by your side to help you through those difficult times in graduate school. Everybody needs some cowbell from time to time and good friends and family are always there to cheer you on. I also found it necessary to have a life outside of the lab. You will always be busy, but making time for yourself is critical so that you do not burn out. Finally, you have so many resources available to you here at school. Use them early and often. Don’t wait till you are a few months from defending to ask for help from fellow students, mentors and advisors.