West Paraiso
#N/A
I’m gay and I’m a pharmaceutical nanotechnologist / cancer biologist. //
As an industry scientist, I work on R&D of pharmaceutical products. In our company, we develop polymer-based nanoparticle formulations and analyze their effects on in vivo tumor models using imaging techniques like IVIS. I pursued my PhD in pharmaceutical science in Japan. My training involved analyzing the effect and uptake of nanoparticles in cells and animals. Growing up in the Philippines, I did not have a role model in science. Gay men were ridiculed and perceived by society to be either entertainers or beauticians. I often wondered if there were any gay doctors, engineers, or even scientists. Manila has become more liberal over time, but discrimination against LGBTQ people is still widespread. Because of this, I vowed to be more visible as I advanced in my career. It will probably not do me any favors, but I feel that it is important for young gay kids to have role models in any career that they choose. I want them to know that yes, they too can be gay and a scientist.