Why strong mentorship was essential for my career success in science
Briefly

JoAnn Trejo, a professor at the University of California, San Diego, specializes in biomedical research aimed at enhancing the resilience of endothelial cells to injury and inflammation. This research is crucial for developing new therapies targeting vascular diseases, especially cardiovascular disease, which results in nearly one million deaths annually in the U.S. Trejo's background is rooted in a modest Mexican American family of farm workers, emphasizing the importance of family and the challenges faced in pursuing education and a scientific career.
My job, basically is as a teacher, mentor, and I also conduct biomedical research. The goal of our work is to understand how to make cells that line blood vessels, called endothelial cells, resilient, so that they can resist injury and inflammation.
And cardiovascular disease is a disease that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. In the US, almost 1 million people a year lose their lives related to cardiovascular disease.
I come from a very modest background, from a family of Mexican farm workers. My family immigrated to the United States in the late 1800s.
There was a lot of pressure to continue to work to provide for the family. Coming from a Mexican American family, it's very family oriented.
Read at Nature
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