Mikayla Vasquez headshot
"I will never forget where I came from."

UTPB Alumni Mikayla Rodriguez is now working full time at Johnson & Johnson in Massachusetts.

Rodriguez graduated in December of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry.

Upon graduation she moved to Massachusetts to work for a small biotech startup as an associate scientist in proteomics. She was then hired as a contract associate scientist in proteomics for a year at Johnson & Johnson. She now works there full-time as a scientist in discovery immunology!  

Alumni Mikayla Vasquez Headshot

“The UTPB chemistry faculty helped prepare me for the industry positions I’ve held by focusing their labs on subjects that I would actually apply in the industry and creating opportunities for students to participate in research. They also were patient and always willing to take extra time explaining concepts that weren’t always easy to comprehend,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is from El Paso, but currently lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

“I’d like to emphasize that the chemistry faculty and also biomedical research faculty who opened their doors to eager STEM students and created research projects and opportunities largely contributed to my career path. I encourage the university to continue to invest in undergraduate research,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez says she recommends the chemistry department to students as the faculty are “truly one of a kind.” She often thinks of them as she applies their lessons in her current field of work.

Rodriguez thanks Dr. Montes, Dr. Dong, Dr. Dingra, Dr. Ayudhya, Dr. Xu, and Dr. Cui, and Dr. Young for their invaluable support.

“Their passion for science and education truly made such a difference in my life. I often reflect and can still picture myself sitting in their lectures or labs in the Science and Technology Building. I will never forget where I came from,” said Rodriguez.