Calais Prince spoke to Texas State University undergraduate students as a part of the
Bridges to Biomedicine Health Disparities Workshop Series.

Bridges to Biomedicine is a partnership program between Texas State University,
Northwest Vista College, and San Antonio College that is funded by the NIH.

The
program helps community college students interested in a career in biomedicine
transition into four-year baccalaureate programs.

While
in the program, students conduct undergraduate research in laboratories in San
Antonio during the academic year and at Texas State University during the
summer months.

Currently, we have 13 students working in various laboratories
at the UTHSCSA.

Calais
presented her research on the effects of pre/early pregnancy obesity on
placental function, which coincides with our program’s goal to educate students
about health disparities in the community as well as globally.

The student’s
were actively engaged during Calais’s talk, which is a testament to the
benefits of communicating with students early in their STEM endeavors. She
received a variety of questions pertaining to her research ranging from the
prevalence of obesity to mitochondrial function.

In
addition to discussing her dissertation work, Calais spoke to our students
about her undergraduate experience and her journey to where she is today.

As
parts of Calais’s journey were unconventional, the student’s received these
portions of the talk warmly as many of them are still trying to identify their
paths.

Calais was also able to give advice pertaining to the graduate school
application process.

She stressed the importance of striving to develop and
showcase scientific prowess prior to applying as well as participating in
activities that will prepare them to be good scientific citizens.

We
were pleased to have Calais participate in our workshop series and encourage
others to participate.

For more information please visit the Bridges to Biomedicine website at http://www.xiphophorus.txstate.edu/education/bridges-to-biomed.html or contact bridges2biomed@txstate.edu

This article was written by Esther Lee, program coordinator of the Bridges to Biomedicine program at Texas State University.