麻豆视频

Her interest in science started in summer camp and grew into a dream of becoming a researcher. Harsh words from a supervisor temporarily derailed that dream, but Lindsey Ramos Freitas overcame her struggles, regained her confidence, and is set to receive her professional science master鈥檚 degree during spring commencement ceremonies at Texas Woman鈥檚 University.

Ramos Freitas attended college in her hometown of Pittsburg, Kansas, and became interested in cancer research when her uncle was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She took a class that studies the biology of cancer and became fascinated with cancer mechanisms and treatment options. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biology, Ramos Freitas began working in cancer research in Nebraska. Her uncle passed away a short time later.

Though she was working in the field she鈥檇 dreamed about, a supervisor鈥檚 comment led her to question her decision.

鈥淢y supervisor told me I would never be good enough for research; that I would only be able to work in an environment where everything was spelled out for me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 questioned my career as a scientist. This comment also led me to struggle more in the position from all the stress and pressure I felt, as it led to making more mistakes.鈥�

The intense pressure even led Ramos Freitas to the emergency room after suffering a panic attack one day at work.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 leave cancer research by choice,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 felt like I could never make it after that experience.鈥�

Ramos Freitas began working at a biotechnology company in Nebraska, spending four years there as a red blood cell technician.

鈥淚 was in a manufacturing lab environment, which was a completely different environment from academic research,鈥� she said.

Though she wanted to continue working in biotechnology, Ramos Freitas developed an interest in research and development and thought going back to school would be a great option to work toward that goal.

The Nebraska weather also was a factor in her desire to move.

鈥淭here was too much snow and cold weather,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 really wanted to move to Texas, and my husband liked the idea, too.鈥�

Ramos Freitas looked online for a master鈥檚 degree in biotechnology in Texas and found the new professional science master鈥檚 (PSM) program at 麻豆视频. An information session was scheduled two days later, 鈥渟o I registered for that immediately,鈥� she said.

The couple moved to Denton in June 2021.

鈥淢oving to a new state in the middle of a pandemic was interesting, to say the least,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was thrilled to have my school situation figured out, but we were nervous about my husband being able to find a new job after moving here. Fortunately, he was able to start in a job he loves the same day I started school for the first semester.鈥� 

Sadly, Ramos Freitas lost her father to COVID during her first semester at Texas Woman鈥檚. She took a week off to return to Kansas for the visitation and service and to spend time with her family.

Though there were times she considered quitting and returning for her degree later, Ramos Freitas said support from her professors and her 鈥渨ork family鈥� in the microbiology prep group helped her through the tough times.

鈥淭hey are the reasons I kept with it,鈥� she said. 鈥淗ad it not been for them, I would not have stayed in the program at that time.

鈥淭hanks to all the support and encouragement I have received during my time at 麻豆视频, I am hoping to go into research and development in the biotechnology industry,鈥� she added. Though she doesn鈥檛 know what the future holds, Ramos Freitas said, 鈥溾�業 trust the next chapter because I know the author.鈥欌��