{"id":18912,"date":"2017-03-22T10:43:12","date_gmt":"2017-03-22T14:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/college.unc.edu\/?p=18912"},"modified":"2024-07-02T16:35:47","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T16:35:47","slug":"women-in-science-wednesday-noelle-romero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/collegearchive.unc.edu\/?p=18912","title":{"rendered":"Women in Science Wednesday: Noelle Romero"},"content":{"rendered":"

Noelle Romero is the program coordinator for the\u00a0Chancellor\u2019s Science Scholars<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0UNC-PROPS<\/a>. In August 2016, she successfully defended her thesis within the\u00a0Curriculum in Genetics & Molecular Biology<\/a>. Her research focuses on how to prevent problems that arise from damaged DNA, such as cancer, through studying Fancm, a protein that helps repair it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Noelle-Romero\"<\/p>\n

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When you were a child, what was your response to this question: \u201cWhat do you want to be when you grow up?\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

A taxi driver or ballerina \u2014 sometimes both at the same time.\u00a0It often switched depending on my mood.<\/p>\n

Share the pivotal moment that helped you choose research as a career path.<\/strong><\/p>\n

My ninth-grade biology professor, Mr. McGrath, helped me realize that I wanted to pursue genetics research.\u00a0I had just switched school districts and was placed in standard \u201ctrack 2\u201d courses, even though I had told them that I should be in honors.\u00a0My biology class was really easy, and I would ask for more work as a way to stay engaged.\u00a0When reviewing Mendelian genetics and how traits are inherited, Mr. McGrath developed extra lesson plans and experiments for me based on my interests.\u00a0He also pushed me to be better and do more.\u00a0I walked into homeroom one day and he told me we had to see the principal. He walked me into Sister Maureen\u2019s office and told her, \u201cShe has too much potential to waste on the classes she\u2019s taking. Fix it.\u201d\u00a0He shook my hand\u00a0and left.\u00a0I was in all honors classes by second period.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s an interesting thing that\u2019s happened during your research?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had the privilege of working with some amazing people. My favorite memories are celebrations of each other\u2019s achievements \u2014 like\u00a0 spontaneous parties when someone got their paper accepted, decorating work spaces when a grant or fellowship got funded, and celebrating\u00a0when someone got a difficult cloning to work or found the right recombinant fly.\u00a0The important things were the small things \u2014\u00a0the community we built that\u00a0made science fun and memorable.<\/p>\n

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Romero (left), along with post-baccalaureate fellow Olivia Ballew (center) and graduate student Danielle Rognstad (right), celebrate a successful cloning with an impromptu dance party.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

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In honor of Women\u2019s History Month, share an anecdote that shows why women need to continue breaking barriers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I wanted a woman on my thesis committee. When looking at faculty who would be a good fit for my research project, the list was entirely male with\u00a0one female. The only woman on my thesis committee was Dorothy Erie. She became a pillar of\u00a0support for me during my graduate work. Women need to continue breaking down barriers so that there are more mentors and role models for all women in STEM. Representation matters. Being able to have a shared identity with someone fosters success. I believe that women need to learn from one another,\u00a0work together, and advocate for each other.\u00a0During the\u00a0Diversity in STEM conference<\/a>, Christine Grant will present on \u201cSuccessful Strategies for Women in STEM.\u201d Hearing her advice on how women in STEM can be successful is a wonderful opportunity for women to come together and learn from one another.<\/p>\n

What advice would you give to up-and-coming female researchers in your field?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Never let anyone tell you that you aren\u2019t a scientist or that you\u2019re not capable.\u00a0Encourage and support each other \u2014 lift while you climb.<\/p>\n

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