Our team recently spoke with Sarai Hernández, a 2023 Aspire Leaders Program alumna. She shared her inspiring journey and achievements in her current role at Instituto de Genética Barbara McClintock (IGBM) in Peru. Driven by a passion for science, and storytelling it was fascinating to learn about the children’s science story that she published.
Can you share a bit about your background and life growing up? What did you study?
I was born and raised in El Salvador. Ever since I was in school, I knew I was interested in science. At first, I wanted to become a doctor, and although the program accepted me, we couldn’t afford the university I wanted to attend. I felt like it wasn’t my place, and dissatisfied with the situation, I decided to apply for a national scholarship. After a year of waiting, the committee granted me the scholarship, but the money didn’t cover enough to study medicine at that university, so I sought alternatives. That’s how I discovered Agricultural Biotechnology Engineering, the only program related to biotechnology in the country.
I was so excited that I took the leap and launched a bio-entrepreneurship project on my own in an incubation program, despite knowing the difficulties around it.
It wasn’t what I had expected, but as I got to know the program, I fell in love with it. I graduated in July of this year with honors, which is a major source of pride for me.
Driven by my desire to stay productive and keep learning, I continued seeking academic opportunities in the fields of bioinformatics and synthetic biology. That’s how I ended up participating in Synbio BootCamp 4.0, where my team won a silver medal for a project focused on food safety. I was so excited that I took the leap and launched a bio-entrepreneurship project on my own in an incubation program, despite knowing the difficulties around it.
I also became part of the team at the Instituto de Genética Barbara McClintock (IGBM) in Peru, where I learned about bioinformatics and engaged in science communication. Here, I ventured into new projects like ‘Synbio for LATAM’ from the iGEM Community to promote synthetic biology. I even became a mentor in a program called ‘Genetically Innovative’ from Chile, aiming to ignite a passion for science in young people who are about to choose their career paths. My heart continues to guide me not only to seek opportunities but also to create them to achieve my goals and dreams.
How did you find out about the Aspire Leaders Program and how was the journey?
The program taught me not only the importance of learning new topics but also how to work in teams, how to integrate myself, how to unlock my full potential, and how to motivate others in the right way.
I found out about the Aspire Leaders program last year, through a Telegram chat [channel] about scholarships. I applied to the program driven by the thought that if I truly wanted to make a difference and motivate others to create change in their careers or chosen paths, I needed to develop my leadership skills. Despite the daunting competition, I embraced the challenge and applied—a decision that paid off when I was accepted. This opportunity turned out to be one of the most transformative experiences of my life.
Even though my English isn’t perfect and I can be quite shy at times, I was able to learn a lot from each of the masterclasses. I met people from many different places, all with incredible potential and brilliant ideas. The program taught me not only the importance of learning new topics but also how to work in teams, how to integrate myself, how to unlock my full potential, and how to motivate others in the right way. It was a long process, filled with big challenges, but I completed it, and I consider it one of my greatest achievements.
Tell us about your role at IGBM. How did you land this opportunity?
I applied for a remote internship at IGBM as a science communicator, and I was selected from 640 applicants in Latin America. My role involved creating materials like memes, as well as long and short posts to promote science in different contexts. The idea was to leverage social media, where most young people are active. I wrote articles for the IGBM journal on biotechnology topics, leveraging my expertise as an agrobiotechnology engineer.
My dedication, perseverance, and passion for science caught the attention of the IGBM Director, Michelle Chirinos-Arias. She then gave me the opportunity to publish my own story as part of a collaborative project.
I didn’t initially imagine this path to publication, especially with a children’s story, but it turned out to be a beautiful experience. Sometimes, the unexpected turns out to be the best.
In my role as a science communicator and permanent researcher, I am constantly thinking of new ways to help others learn and ignite their passion for science. IGBM also supports people with disabilities, like the blind. I’m committed to crafting creative ways for them to learn science more easily.
Tell us a bit about the story you wrote for children on gene editing.
The story’s name is ‘The Three Wizards of Genolandia’ and it represents a marriage of scientific exploration and imaginative storytelling. In collaboration with IGBM, I have crafted a tale that not only entertains but also educates. It harnesses the power of narration to demystify complex scientific concepts and inspire curiosity.
As the young protagonists journey through the mystical forests of Genolandia, they are guided by the wisdom and magic of the ‘Three Wizards’. Their mastery of gene editing techniques such as CRISPR, TALEN, and ZFN holds the key to restoring balance to their drought-stricken world. Along the way, they encounter challenges that test their resolve, but through ingenuity, collaboration, and the transformative power of science, they discover that together, they can overcome any obstacle.
‘The Three Wizards of Genolandia’ transport children to a world where science and magic coexist harmoniously, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, and where the possibilities are limited only by the bounds of imagination.
What’s next for you?
In addition to working in this field, I want to pursue a master’s degree in bioinformatics or synthetic biology. I know I will end up studying both, even if they lead to different academic degrees. I plan to keep learning and seeking opportunities to maximize my potential.
