José Arevalo

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José Arevalo

University of California, Berkley

José Arevalo is in his fourth year of the PhD program at the University of California, studying aging mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle cells.He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley, and his master’s at California State University, Fullerton.

APS Porter Physiology Development Fellowship is one of the Society’s flagship award programs, highlighting scientific excellence in researchers from underrepresented backgrounds. We asked our Porter Fellows to tell us about their research, the impact of the Fellowship and their advice to other underrepresented scientists. Here, José Arevalo, one of our esteemed Porter Fellows, shares more about his background and words of wisdom.

What's your background? Are others in your family involved in science and medicine or are you a trailblazer in STEM?

I was born in Guatemala and grew up in East Los Angeles. I am the first in my family to graduate from university and pursue a science PhD.

What is the biggest challenge facing researchers of color?

Most researchers of color come from under-resourced schools, so science exposure and communication are restricted, which can deter students from pursuing a research career.

What is your advice to young people from underrepresented backgrounds interested in getting into science?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There is a lot more pressure, coming from underrepresented backgrounds, so any hesitation to ask for help may lower our chances for success.