Q&A with Guadalupe Romero-Viramontez
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
My name is Guadalupe Romero-Viramontez, and I was born and raised in Fresno, CA, in the San Joaquin Valley. I grew up in a Spanish-speaking, farm-working household and, early on, learned the value of resilience and a strong work ethic. I have always valued my education and all the opportunities that it can open up, especially as a first-generation Latina student. I attended California State University, Fresno for my undergraduate studies and majored in Biology. It was during this time that I was first exposed to oncology research and developed a profound passion for the field.
Q: What role do you play in the Moores Cancer Center community?
I am a current research intern through the Scientific Translational and Experimental Postbaccalaureate Program (STEPP-ON-UP) here at the Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego. I work under the mentorship of Dr. Anshuman Bhanja in Dr. J. Silvio Gutkind’s Lab, where I focus on the oncogenic activity of G proteins and G protein-coupled receptors and on how their signaling pathways regulate normal and abnormal cell growth and metastasis. Outside the lab, I volunteer with the Moores Cancer Center Community Outreach and Education office to expand cancer education and medical resources for San Diego communities.
Q: What does your day-to-day look like?
The STEPP-ON-UP program focuses on supporting pre-medical or pre-graduate students through professional and academic development. A major component of the program is exposure to translational oncology research. Most of my days start with bench work in the lab. Oftentimes learning new experimental protocols and techniques from my mentor. Once a week, I also shadow physicians from different oncological specialties, including neuro-oncology and breast oncology, through which I can, in some cases, learn more about active clinical trials in our department. Throughout the week, I will also volunteer with the Moores Cancer Center Community Outreach and Education office, primarily at community health events to share more about MCC resources and raise awareness of the importance of cancer screening and supportive resources for patients and families.
Q: Why do you love being part of the Moores Cancer Center community?
I love being part of an interdisciplinary community that allows me to contribute to meaningful research while learning about the different roles at Moores Cancer Center. There is something very unique about taking the research that you are conducting and collaborating with other labs at MCC to work on specific research goals ultimately aimed at improving cancer care and treatments for patients. I have enjoyed working with the Clinical Research Coordinators and the staff at the Community Outreach and Education office to provide the most well-rounded care and educational resources to our communities.
Q: What has been the highlight of your career at Moores Cancer Center?
Learning about clinical trials and meeting patients who are part of them has been an experience that continues to reinforce my decision to pursue medicine and research in this field. As an incoming medical student interested in continuing oncology research, I profoundly value this experience as it continues to reinforce the need and the importance of our research!