Science grad earns PhD at Rice

Naxhiely Martínez Ramón just completed her PhD through Rice University’s Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, one of the top programs in the country. Now a Rice post doctoral research associate, Dr. Ramón gives OLLU credit for her success in graduate school.

“A lot of the things I encountered in graduate school did not come as a surprise to me because of the preparation I had at OLLU,” said Dr. Ramón, who graduated from OLLU in 2004 with a B.S. in chemistry and B.A. in biology. “The small size of the science programs (at OLLU) makes a big difference in a student's success. Professors have more quality time with students to really get to know them. The professors genuinely care and want to help. My entire experience would have been completely different if I had gone to a big school.”

Dr. Ramón also credits Dr. James Hall, OLLU biology professor.

“Dr. Hall is awesome,” she said. “He is one of those professors who loves what he is doing and is happy to help a student anytime. It would be difficult for professors like Dr. Hall to make as big of an impact at a large school where each professor had to oversee hundreds of students.”

Dr. Ramón now wants to give back to her field of study. After she finishes up at Rice, she wants to join the faculty of a primarily undergraduate university.

“I feel it is my duty as a Hispanic female to give back to the community as a mentor and teacher because I have been blessed with so many mentors throughout my life,” she said.