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Lindsey Ramirez

Augusta University, Medical College of Georgia

Lindsey Ramirez is a fourth year PhD candidate at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Her PhD research focuses on the sex differences in a high-fat diet–induced increase in blood pressure and fat mass. Ramirez earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a master’s degree in experimental psychology from Augusta University in Georgia.

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, Lindsey Ramirez, one of our esteemed Porter Fellows, shares more about her 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 will be the first person in my family pursuing graduate training or a career in STEM.

What is the biggest challenge facing researchers of color?

It can be a big cultural change. You feel that you do not fit in with many of your colleagues because they come from generations of science and medicine, but you also do not fit in with your friends and family anymore because your life is so different from theirs now. To have a conversation with either group could take a lot of explanation, so you may choose to avoid conversing, which can be isolating. Another big issue, especially for first generation researchers, is not knowing what to expect from each step of their journey. There is no clear way to fix either of these issues, but talking to someone that you trust and that may be going through a similar situation could help.

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

It is natural to try and change yourself to fit in. Of course, you should be polite and professional, but you do not have to change what defines you as a person. I tried to change myself to be more like people around me, but I ended up losing sight of who I am. You do not have to compromise who you are to be in science. Be genuine and your passion will shine through.