Geselle Sotelo Mendoza, a first-generation college student from Prosser, Washington, is on track to graduate from WSU with a degree in microbiology in May. Driven by a curiosity about how bacteria cause disease, she plans to pursue a PhD in microbiology or infectious diseases.
What initially drew you to your major?
I was drawn to microbiology because I was fascinated by microbes and wanted to understand the biological mechanisms in bacteria that are pathogenic to humans and how they cause disease.
Who has been the most influential mentor or professor during your time at WSU?
I have had a lot of mentors throughout my journey at WSU, including the graduate students I worked with who took me under their wings and showed me how to navigate research projects and my faculty mentors: Dr. Tanya Cheeke at WSU-Tri-Cities; Dr. Zambrano, School of Biological Sciences at WSU-Pullman; and Dr. Anders Omsland, Paul G. Allen School for Global Health at WSU-Pullman; as well as the McNair Scholars directors. With the support of this amazing team, I am currently applying to graduate school programs.
Have you had any opportunities to work in a lab or conduct research while at WSU?
I have had the opportunity to work in three different research labs. I am working under the guidance of Dr. Anders Omsland and Colleen C. Monahan. In this lab, we work with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), where we analyze the effect of specific nutrients on the transition between infectious, non-replicating versus replicating cell forms. Currently, I am analyzing the role of pyruvate kinase in the reformation of the infectious elementary body (EB) cell form of Ct.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in a field within the College of Veterinary Medicine?
Try your best, make friends in your classes (support system), and ask for help! Surround yourself with students who are passionate about their education and goals. Apply for the general scholarship, and if you’re doing research, apply for the research scholarships from the Office of Undergraduate Research.
What’s your favorite thing about WSU?
My favorite thing about WSU are the sunsets from the Biotechnology Lifesciences Building and the ice cream from Ferdinand’s.
What are your post-graduation plans?
As a first-generation student I didn’t know what grad school was until I came to WSU.
Programs such as the McNair Scholars program has helped prepare me to pursue a PhD and understand what graduate school is. I hope to attend graduate school to earn my PhD in microbiology or infectious diseases. I would like to focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which pathogenic bacteria cause disease in humans.
What hobbies or extracurricular activities have you enjoyed at WSU?
I like to take Pilates classes, attend music events, and hang out with my sister. I am also part of the WSU- Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) chapter and the McNair Scholars Student Club.
What’s a fun or surprising fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I love going to the beach and making sandcastles. I am also obsessed with penguins – I think they’re the cutest!