Alumni Profile: Ester Álvarez-Benedicto

“I really liked the idea that you get to do research at a really well-known institution. Coming from a small campus and a really small public university, we don’t get a lot of funding.”

Host University: University of California, Berkeley
Home University: University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Amgen Scholar Year: 2017
Major: Chemistry
Expected Graduation: 2018

Journey to Science

How did you become interested in science?

I come from a big family so I grew up with a lot of people around and a lot of things happening at the same time. I look at science as a way to stop and stare – to look at things closely and find the beauty in small things that happen in everyday life.

Academic and Professional Ambitions

What’s your ultimate career goal?

I worked in the lab of Dr. Matthew Francis under the mentorship of Emily Hartman in the design of pH-sensitive MS2 virus-like particles (VLPs) for drug delivery applications. Drug delivery is really challenging right now, especially with cancer, where it is very hard for a drug to go directly to the tumor. Most of the drugs kill everything, not just the cancerous cells. If we could find a way to deliver drugs directly to where we want them to go, it will greatly improve patient healthcare. After I graduate, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in chemical biology to keep addressing drug delivery challenges. I have always enjoyed teaching others, as a result, I see myself combining research with a career in academia.

Why did you apply to the Amgen Scholars Program?

I learned about the Amgen Scholars Program through a program back at home called MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers). I really liked the idea that you get to do research at a really well-known institution. Coming from a small campus and a really small public university, we don’t get a lot of funding. My home university is undergoing major budget cuts in the next few years, so it’s going to be tough for both education and research. I was looking for opportunities to grow outside my home institution through a well-rounded experience.

What aspects of the program did you enjoy most?

I love that it’s a diverse program. I have had the pleasure of meeting my fellow Amgen Scholars from different parts of the country. I also enjoyed that we got to do research at a high-level institution for the 10 weeks, so we get to develop more independence, critical thinking, and to get an idea of research life and potential careers.