Devotion. Empowerment. Strength. These three words fuel my perseverance, despite near-defeating hardships. Regardless of obstacles that attempt to overcome my well-being, I remain determined to bring pride to my Mexican family. I do not permit my maladies nor continuous difficulties to disturb my goals: completing a master’s degree, searching for future relevant jobs, and growing my professional journey. My experiences not only fuel my passion to pursue a career but also empower my yearning to inspire other disabled individuals and to advocate for inclusivity in work environments.
Struck with a rare neuromuscular disease at the age of four, I lost the ability to move my legs and my left arm. Although I had once been a vibrant, energetic child, I experienced muscle weakness that overcame the majority of my body, and I had a tracheostomy installed so that I could utilize a respiratory ventilator. I did not know what was happening at the time, nor why specifically this was happening to me. Why did it have to be me? Despite challenges that made me feel melancholic at a very young age, I saw other children undergo similar circumstances, and I thought to myself, “We all want to live. And I will show others that there’s still hope.” This thinking drove my motivation to participate in physical and occupational therapy, to voice my limitations, and to seek accommodations in every environment I was part of.
I excelled throughout all my elementary, middle, and high school years as a gifted student and participant in magnet programs. My commitment and resolve through my courses allowed me to attend the prestigious California Lutheran University. Here, I pursued and completed a BA in biochemistry and molecular biology, and my spirited dedication also allowed me to complete a minor in environmental studies. With the guidance and support from brilliant professors, such as Dr. Robert K. Richards and Dr. Kwasi Connor, I narrowed down concentrations in my scientific field that would be right for me. Indeed, throughout my biology courses, one stood out that would change the course of my aspirations.
The totality of this class, a genomics course, amazed me, teaching me about a dedicated computational world that exists in the scientific community. I learned to process many large research datasets on platforms such as R, Python, and Microsoft Access, and this new skill fueled a void within me. I was searching endlessly for a specialization where I could flourish, where my limitations would not inhibit nor delay me from my aspirations. After working on several oncology projects, using data from test subjects, I composed reports and became accomplished at data structuring, mining, and presentation, and these tasks gave me a new purpose. I was determined to learn as much as I could and even sought a Certificate of Achievement in Data Science from Moorpark College. My mind and heart became resolute in pursuing my next steps in higher education: obtaining the necessary foundational skills in data science and obtaining a master’s degree.
During my senior year, I successfully acquired a work opportunity as an administrative assistant at Libyl Inc. My dedication and duty to the organization allowed me to complete diverse tasks, ranging from human resources to project management, and even gave me the chance to contribute to manuscript writing. The scientific director and founder, Dr. John Umejiego, was a wonderful mentor, teaching me about biotechnology and about the literature review industry and permitting me to learn and grow from his experiences. He had worked as Medical Director at AstraZeneca and as a Medical Affairs Lead for thoracic oncology at Amgen, and his own passion and knowledge allowed me to delve deeper into the business world. This mentorship permitted my own ambitions to persevere and my skills to grow beyond what I had previously projected.
I was promoted to Project Coordinator for the Executive Team, where I now create my own successful project plans and assist with the organization’s management, as well as with social media creation and other higher-level assignments. Despite having functionality in only one arm, I prospered in my work environment and went beyond what was requested of me. I was determined to grow professionally and to gain knowledge from esteemed professionals by partaking in mentorship programs, such as the Biocom California Life Sciences Career Fellowship and the Disability Voices United Emerging Leaders Program.
Now, I dedicate myself to applying to master’s programs and to completing higher education. I dream of working in bioinformatics, data science, or genomics fields, where I can persevere as a professional and bring my newfound expertise into any of these environments, which will allow me to grow beyond my disability. I am determined to be an active member of the scientific community and to inspire other disabled individuals who currently lack the confidence and motivation to pursue their own dreams.
Valeria Camorlinga is a Project Coordinator for the Executive Team at Libyl Inc., where she works in diverse administrative and management tasks to help maintain the organization. She recently obtained her BA in biochemistry and molecular biology, along with a minor in environmental studies, at California Lutheran University. Her independent bioinformatics project evaluated the severity of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) cases and mutations in impoverished countries with low water quality, comparing them to cases in countries with higher incomes. She was accepted recently at USC Keck School of Medicine for a MS in Translational Biomedical Informatics. Camorlinga has displayed her dedication consistently throughout her academic and professional endeavors, and she is determined to inspire the disabled community and to show that her neuromuscular disability does not limit her success.
This article was originally published in AWIS Magazine. Join AWIS to access the full issue of AWIS Magazine and more member benefits.