Thread by @SandraSandrisco

Thank you @IWS_Network for this opportunity to share my story during the week in the Voice Without Frontiers program! #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

I was born in Medellin, Colombia as the oldest of three siblings. My family belonged to the low-middle class, so my parents always inculcated school and knowledge as the best opportunity to have a good and successful career and future. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

Since my earlier years I was disciplined, independent and curious and I always had a deep desire for new knowledge. That's why science, biology and philosophy were my favourite courses, and the reason why I would later become a scientist. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

When I was 8, I enrolled in a musical program that recently started in Medellin, @Redmusicamed, I learned to play violin and became part of the symphony orchestra for 9 years, until I decided to go to university for a degree in Microbiology #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a scientist. I remember a movie that I saw when I was around 10, about a huge infectious outbreak that was controlled by those people wearing white protective suits, I wanted to be one of them! 👩🏽‍🔬 #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

In 2005, I started my bachelor in microbiology in one of the most recognized universities in Colombia, @UdeA, and I joined a research group in parasitology under the mentoring of an excellent and strong scientist, Dr. Sonia del Pilar Agudelo. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

I loved my time there, but after the immunology course I knew I wanted to be an inmunologist! Understanding all the pieces and interactions involved in protecting your body was the most incredible puzzle. I was amazed by it, I still am 💕 #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

At the end of my bachelor, I had to do a one-year internship, and since my favorite topic by then was immunology of HIV infection, I joined the Grupo Innmunovirología @UdeA in 2009, which would become my research house for the next 10 years. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

I met some of my closest friends there! And during those years I had an incredible mentor, Dr. Maria Teresa Rugeles, who taught me a lot of what I know about being a scientist but also, about kindness, perseverance and being a great mentor #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

After finishing microbiology, I worked as a research assistant for 2 years before enrolling in a master degree in Basic and Biomedical Sciences at @BiomedicasUdeA. During my master, I explored mucosal mechanisms involved in HIV pathogenesis. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

I graduated from my master in 2015 and further pursued a PhD in the same field at @BiomedicasUdeA, with a national doctoral scholarship from @MincienciasCo. This time I evaluated the protective role of Vitamin D in HIV mucosal transmission. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

As part of my PhD, I had to do an academic exchange in an international lab, so in Sept 2017 I moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba for a 6-month period, that would be further extended for one and a half years. But, I went to Colombia every 6 months! #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

I came to JC Wilt infectious Diseases Centre under the mentoring of another great female scientist, Dr. Ruey-Chyi Su, who is still my mentor, and I met great lab colleagues that became my friends. I looked at science from a new perspective! #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

When I left Colombia, it was hard to leave family and friends. I also had a partner at the time and we had the most amazing dog (that I love and miss tons), but thinking that I would be back after 6 months made my initial trip more manageable #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

Still, being alone in a new city, a different language and experiencing winter for the first time and in one of the coldest cities in Canada, was a bit shocking. Also, spending Christmas away from home since it is my favorite time of the year #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

And of course, the food. I missed the Colombian food badly, I still do. Good for me that I love cooking and I learned to prepare my favorite dishes and snacks before coming here! #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

At the same time, being away was a great opportunity to reconnect with myself, to realize my strengths and to embrace all the new adventures and experiences coming my direction. I slowly fell in love with this city and its welcoming people. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

I graduated from my PhD in 2019 and started working as a postdoctoral fellow at @UofMMedMicro and @UM_Immu, exploring mucosal immunity during viral infections. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

And recently, me and my friend @silviajulianalm started the new Manitoba chapter of @IWS_Network! We couldn't be more excited about it, and we are looking forward to contribute to build a nurturing and supportive community here! #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

As you can see, during my path in science I have been blessed to have several female strong, supportive and caring mentors and I'm trying my best to be as good mentor as they have been to me. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

Regarding my personal life, I was so blessed to meet my incredible partner and his adorable family in Winnipeg and all my amazing friends. They definitely made this place my other home!! 💕 #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

Now, I can't wait for what the future holds, and I'm looking forward to my next trip to Colombia, visit my family and friends, have some delicious food and spend Christmas with them after these 2 years of pandemic. Thank you all for reading! #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network