Meet a Roadrunner: Doctoral student Jossina Gonzalez has passion for neuroscience
(May 9, 2013) -- Meet Jossina Gonzalez. She's a young woman with a passion for neuroscience, and she graduates this month.
In 2004, Gonzalez was accepted into the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston to prepare for training as a physician. However, when the university learned she was unable to walk and generally weakened due to a debilitating neurological condition, the health science center revoked her admission, causing an uproar that landed in the laps of the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Office of Civil Rights in Washington, D.C.
The crux of the issue was whether she could complete the physical training of medical school, residency and the day-to-day of physicians. Ultimately, Gonzalez lost her fight. Disheartened, she began pursuing other avenues.
"I had Jossina in my undergraduate neuroscience classes, and almost every time we took an exam, her grades were much, much higher than the rest of the class," recalls Brian Derrick, a professor in the UTSA Department of Biology. "I suggested she ought to become a scientist. She was just so smart. She needed to put that talent to work as a researcher."
Energized by Derrick's encouragement, Gonzalez applied and was admitted to the UTSA neurobiology doctoral program in 2007, five years after receiving her bachelor's degree in biology. Since that time, she has been studying the biological basis of hippocampal mnemonic function in the hopes that her research will provide new insights about how memories are encoded and recalled. She plans to pursue post-doctoral training to become an academic research neuroscientist.
Do you know an amazing UTSA student who has beat the odds to accomplish their dreams? Email social@utsa.edu, and we will consider your submission for the next installment of Meet a Roadrunner.
Events
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.