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| "Reading about the lives of famous scientists and how they succeeded can be incredibly inspirational." |
Rene E. Sotomayor, Ph.D. |
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Career Title: Supervisory Research Biologist Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Washington, DC
Field of Expertise:
Academic Studies:
University of Tennessee
Employment History:
Research Associate, Biology
Guest Scientist
Research Assistant/Professor of Biology "If I hadn't become a scientist, I would have become . . . a photographer or abstract painter."
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Q: Was science your favorite subject in school?
A: Yes, particularly biology. Microscopes, test tubes, and science books always intrigued me as a young boy.
At the age of 7, I was able to use a professional microscope. Art is also important to me. I listen to classical
music while I'm working on experiments in the lab. The music helps my ideas flow.
Q: Have you been involved in any new scientific discoveries?
A: I discovered that the live, attenuated (ability to reduce virulence) virus vaccine for hog cholera was capable
of breaking chromosomes in vivo (while the animal is still alive). This occurrence can cause serious problems for the
animal. This finding is important because it may also extend to vaccines used for humans.
Q: What advice would you give to students who are interested in pursuing a career in science?
A: Learn the basics of science in high school and continue these studies through college. Also, reading about the
lives of famous scientists and how they succeeded can be incredibly inspirational.
Hypertext updated by dav 2001-FEB-05