Today, we are proud to highlight one of our very own faculty members: Dr. Liela Romero from the Chemistry and Biochemistry department. To find out more about her studies with drug discovery, check out our interview with her below!
What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?
In middle school I decided I wanted to become a researcher with the hopes of one day developing a new cancer treatment. My undergraduate organic chemistry courses here at Baylor (with Drs. Klausmeyer and Jonklaas) convinced me that a doctorate in chemistry would be a wonderful path to this goal. I loved the puzzle-like challenge of organic chemistry and how organic synthesis could be used to develop new therapeutics. My undergraduate research experience here at Baylor in the Pinney lab was really fundamental in solidifying this career choice.
How would you describe your work to the public?
Research in the Romero group has several aims: (1) to develop new chemical reactions that others can use to streamline the preparation of requisite molecules for drug discovery and beyond, (2) to use these methods ourselves to make and study small molecules that have promising anticancer activity, and (3) to study and confirm exactly how these new chemical reactions are taking place.
What do you enjoy doing the most? I still love working in the lab and making incremental discoveries on a daily basis, but recently I’ve really grown to appreciate how much more I enjoy helping students find success in the lab. Outside of the lab my hobbies include rollercoasters, baking and music.
Share an accomplishment that a younger you would have thought unachievable.
I grew up always believing that anything was possible if I was willing to work hard enough for it. Even now I carry that optimism with each new challenge I face.
If you could give a piece of advice to the younger generation, what would it be?
Don’t shy away from pursuing your dreams, even if the deck seems stacked against you. I’ve met many talented students who talk themselves out of working toward their goals because they worry it either won’t work out or won’t be as fulfilling as they’d hoped. You’ve got this!
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