Pursuing the call to change

I fell in love with research the day that I began working on my undergraduate research project. I had a mentor, designed experiments, set goals, learned to troubleshoot, developed new skills and had a new challenge every day. I enjoyed every aspect of the experience and aspired to do research forever, but after getting my master's degree I saw the end of this career path at home in Venezuela 

I had an overwhelming desire to go to graduate school to continue studying biochemistry after I graduated, but a wall separated me from my future. Like the families of many first-generation college graduates, mine didn’t have resources.

Karlett Parra

For two years, I applied to a scholarship program in Venezuela. Each year, after many examinations, I made it to a final interview that was in English. However, I did not speak English and failed this last test.

I ultimately applied to U.S. graduate schools directly and joined the Ph.D. program of the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in 1992. This was the first time I traveled outside my home country and was away from my family. The moment I woke up on my first day in Syracuse, I realized that I had finally arrived, and I was afraid. I was alone in an unfamiliar culture where everyone spoke a different language. However, I then envisioned the future — a future where I could move forward doing biochemistry research and discovery — and started the day. I felt reborn.

The ensuing three decades have been both challenging and highly rewarding. I have experienced being half of a dual-career couple, an underrepresented minority woman, an immigrant and a caregiver — all while working as a scientist. I have taken unexpected turns and directions, reinventing myself a few times.

Early in my career, I wished to be a researcher in the private sector. I had a family, however, and that constrained me geographically, so I accepted a lecturer position at a liberal arts college. I found undergraduate classroom instruction rewarding, and connecting with the students energized me.

I joined the faculty of Ball State University, a primarily undergraduate institution, with the purpose of motivating students to pursue advanced research degrees. For six years, I taught and mentored students in my research laboratory. Many of them now hold faculty positions and practice medicine, which gives me great satisfaction. However, the demands of this position narrowed the scope of my opportunities to build a research program, and I wanted a position in a more research-intense environment. I found this at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, where I moved in 2007. After five years, I was appointed chair of the department. Being a chair has expanded my academic visual field, showing me how things look from 30,000 feet. Notwithstanding, it has come at the expense of my own research program's productivity.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a time for me to reflect on my values. I wanted to do something less focused on myself, with the goal of helping people in meaningful new ways. I subsequently joined the ASBMB WIBMB Committee to help women in science navigate career challenges.
Although I was still working full-time and caring for a family, I also pursued and earned my executive MBA degree. Formal training on business management and administration was a logical direction, given that I enjoy the high-impact aspects of being department chair.

The past two years have been demanding, but worthwhile. I have refocused with a new purpose and the means to have a broader impact helping people to thrive. Looking ahead, I’ll continue to embrace new directions as I did that first cold morning in Syracuse, envisioning the future and enjoying the ride.