Zarixia Zavala-Ruiz
Field:  Biochemistry
SR-EIP:  1997 (Harvard) & 1998 (Brown)
Undergrad:  University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras (1999)
Graduate School:  MIT (2004)
Current:  Assistant Professor, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Dept. of Chemistry

• Could you talk about any memorable experiences from your summer research at Harvard and Brown?
  • 
    It was very different from what I experienced in Puerto Rico. My mentors were extremely helpful for me. They encouraged me to think through problems and to learn new research techniques. I stayed in touch with my Leadership Alliance mentors through graduate school and they encouraged me to apply for fellowships. That communication was very important. 
    
  
  
• Can you talk about how your summer experience prepared you for graduate school?
  • 
    For the first time I was able to read the research and really understand it. When I went to graduate school I was more independent. I was able to get up to speed much more quickly than I would have been without the Leadership Alliance experience. 
    
  
  
• Can you talk about your work as a mentor for the next generation?
  • 
    I try to encourage all of my students to think about problems and read the literature in the field. I encourage them to do summer programs like the Leadership Alliance, and I work with them to prepare reports in English. 
    
  
  
• Can you talk about the importance of the Leadership Alliance alumni network?
  • 
    Honestly, I haven’t used it yet. Hopefully, I will in the future. 
    
  
  
• What advice would you give to this year’s Leadership Alliance participants?
  • 
    It is important to have a good relationship with your mentor. Continuous communication is really important.