At BMS, honoring our individuality is a virtue that we live by every day. This is why we were excited to sit down with two Latina scientists at BMS: Karen Betancourt-Moreira, PhD, a principal scientist in San Diego, CA and Ailem Schrand, MSc, a principal scientist in Cambridge, MA. Find out what our two Latina colleagues, meaning women of Latin American descent, have to say about STEM career opportunities at BMS, their work with our Organization for Latino Achievement (OLA), and pursuing your dreams.
Guided by a Love for Science and a Commitment to Medicine
Working in STEM was a natural career path for both Karen and Ailem. Originally a business major, Karen recognized two years into college that her love for science should guide her forward. “I’ve always enjoyed learning how things function and am inspired by nature,” said Karen. “So, I decided to follow that inspiration, and started working as a researcher in a cardiology lab. There, I was able to see that the options in research and development were endless. I could ask any question and follow it.”
For Ailem, the initial spark of inspiration to pursue a career in STEM evolved over time. “My family inspired me. My mom was a very accomplished scientist, and my grandmother was a science professor,” said Ailem. “They instilled in me a profound curiosity about how things work, especially in biology.” Today, that spark is brighter than ever. “I lost my mom to breast cancer and my father-in-law to pancreatic cancer. They have become the people I work for,” said Ailem. “They have strengthened my commitment to improving treatment options for people with cancer, so they can live longer and have more time with their families.”
Overcoming the Odds to Thrive as STEM Professionals
While Karen and Ailem are on opposite coasts of the U.S., they share the ability to overcome obstacles and make their career aspirations a reality. “Latinos are usually encouraged to get into the workforce quickly,” said Karen. “I didn’t know that pursuing a PhD in science was even an option for me. It’s hard to dream big when there are many obstacles in the way. Language is one of them; having to work to get yourself through college is another.” Karen also credits a mentor she had early in college for opening her eyes to the possibilities of a career in STEM. “One of my first mentors helped me gain confidence,” remarked Karen. “He gave me the opportunity to present research data at conferences, which was a big step in helping me share in a professional setting what I had learned in the laboratory.”
For Ailem, overcoming challenges like language barriers and imposter syndrome mark her career journey. “One of my biggest challenges professionally was coming to the U.S., finding myself looking for a job and doubting my skills,” said Ailem. She credits her commitment to “never stop learning, to take every educational opportunity” as a means to overcoming professional challenges. And it’s paid off. Today, Ailem is proud to share some of her biggest professional accomplishments at BMS. “Introducing new technology has opened new spaces for research within the translational science space, allowing our group to provide data that supports patient stratification in clinical trials, combination treatment, or biomarkers of response,” said Ailem. “I feel very accomplished in that aspect of my job.”
From California to the East Coast: Extending Our Support to the Latino Community
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is one of the critical reasons why Karen chose to bring her research skills to BMS. “My decision to join BMS was solidified once I learned about different groups and opportunities for diversity and inclusion,” said Karen. “I became involved almost as soon as I joined BMS.” Among the accomplishments she is most proud of at BMS is establishing the OLA chapter in San Diego. “We have over 73 members now, which helps to create a culture and a celebration of diversity for the Latino community.”
Karen noted that the OLA chapter in San Diego has been well-received by the local community. “Our OLA events are high energy networking events,” remarked Karen. “We go to the local universities, participate in career fairs, even go to the elementary schools to try to get more Latinos interested in STEM careers. It’s very energizing to go out into the community and speak to Latinos in their native language. It completely changes their perspective. They are more open and receptive.” Karen noted that such inspiration is prominent among young women. “They’re highly inspired. They ask about our journeys. They ask about what we do every day, and they feel more comfortable asking us these questions when they see themselves represented.”
Ailem shared a similar story about OLA momentum on the East coast. She was instrumental in launching the OLA chapter in Cambridge, and is already making inroads when it comes to inspiring students to pursue their education in STEM and connecting with the local Latino community. “We want to highlight the contributions of Latino scientists — not only at BMS, but also in general,” said Ailem. “We are currently organizing an event to highlight the Latino patient journey, which OLA and BMS have been leading for the last few years. Another goal of ours is to support Latino talent development within our community, and provide leadership opportunities across the site.”
A Seat at the Table for Latina Scientists at BMS
When asked why Latina scientists should consider a career at BMS, Karen remarked that inclusivity is a major driving force. “Latina scientists should explore careers at BMS, because — like everyone here — we are given the opportunity to be ourselves and have our voices heard,” said Karen. “Every meeting and town hall that you attend, your voice is always valuable. You have the opportunity to explore your leadership skills in many different ways, as well as develop your career.”
Ailem adds that in addition to the support for her community, BMS provides an opportunity to explore various therapeutic areas, making now an exciting time to join the company. “This is an exciting time to join BMS. There is tremendous opportunity in immuno-oncology and neuroscience,” said Ailem. “There is always something new and different to do and learn.” For Karen, BMS spells limitless potential for candidates who are innovators, who bring new ideas to the table. “The sky is the limit,” said Karen. “If you want to reach a goal and become a professional, there’s always somebody in the community and here at BMS who wants to help you get there.”
