I’m Victoria and currently a third-year Biochemistry Ph.D. student at Florida International University.  I was born and raised in Minks, Belarus. I spent most of my childhood doing rhythmic gymnastics and some horseback riding. I moved to the United States in 2006, which was when I started middle school.

During my free time, I enjoying working out at the gym, running, and doing yoga. Also, I love traveling, and my goal is to visit at least one new country each year.

How did you first become interested in STEM?

I wasn’t interested in science until 8th grade. My 8th-grade teacher would bring really cool science gadgets to the class that we could play with, and this is when I became fascinated. In high school, I was in a Health Sciences Program because I thought I might want to pursue a career in medicine. As a child, the options I knew was a lawyer, police officer, nurse, doctor, and computer scientist, which led me to choose Biology with a pre-med track in college. I began attending Florida International University in 2013. One of the pre-med recommended extracurriculars is research. I fell in love with my genetics course, so I asked my professor if he does any research, which led him to invite me for an interview and to join in on lab meetings. This was the beginning of my career in STEM.

Beginning of my research experience

When I started doing research, I knew that this is precisely what I wanted to do, but it was challenging for me to admit to my parents, who are immigrants, that I don’t want to become a physician. I kept researching during my undergrad. I investigated the effects of Artemisia tridentata and Artemisia douglasiana (plants that have been used by indigenous people to treat diseases) on melanoma and breast cancer cells.  I attended many conferences and written my undergraduate research thesis, which allowed me to graduate with Honors in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. I first started to apply to graduate school in secret but told my parents shortly afterward that I’m going to graduate school. They turned out to be incredibly supportive, even though they still don’t fully understand what I am doing exactly.

My Ph.D. experience

I chose the Biochemistry program for my Ph.D. because I think it’s a flexible field. Not only that, there are a variety of exciting topics to study, but my program allowed rotations throughout the university. Hence, I was able to choose the best lab for me. I’m currently working on two projects related to neurodegenerative diseases, one of them understanding TSPOs involvement in heme metabolism while the other project is looking in the depth of JNK signaling in the brain. After graduate school, I hope to continue research as a post-doc and one day to have a research lab.

How I got involved in science communication?

During my undergrad, I was a part of the Chemical Society e-board at my university. I helped host events that showcased STEM careers to girls in middle schools and teenagers in underserved high schools. This was when I realized that not enough children and even adults like my parents don’t know that there are so many careers and possibilities in STEM. STEM is for everyone, and I want to showcase that not just through science communications on social media platforms but in person as well.

What advice would you give to anyone interested in your career?

One thing I would tell a person that wants to pursue a career in Biochemistry or STEM is that anyone can do it. It’s about being passionate and determined. You have to love science because not every day will be a good day, but your love for science will drive you to continue. Also, don’t be afraid of taking risks because they can lead to beautiful outcomes.