Dr. Silvia Ramos interviewed Juanita Limas after she received the Boka W. Hadzija Award for Distinguished University Service by a Graduate or Professional Student. BOKA W. HADZIJA AWARD recognizes the graduate or professional student who has been judged most outstanding in character, scholarship and leadership.
What can you share about your origin? Where were you born and raised?
I am Mexican-American. I was born and raised in Des Moines, IA.
What brought you to UNC, particularly to study Biochemistry in Jean Cook’s lab?
I actually am a Pharmacology PhD student, not Biochemistry. I came to UNC because of all the schools I was accepted, UNC’s IMSD program made me feel the most welcome and at home at UNC. I enjoy studying the cell cycle, hence, how I ended up studying in Dr. Cook’s lab.
What do you like and appreciate at UNC and what do you think still needs to be improved?
I appreciate the opportunities that I have had at UNC and in particular my department, Pharmacology. I really have a strong connection in Pharmacology and have been very active in that department, particularly with admin. I have great relationships with the department chair, DGS, etc., They’ve been incredibly supportive of my leadership efforts in wanting to start real dialogue and changes surrounding mental health and creating awareness surrounding racism in graduate school. Pharmacology has always been very supportive of my efforts but also about my own personal well-being.
As far as UNC, there’s always room for improvement. I believe the biggest room for improvement (and one that won’t happen overnight) is the decentralized nature of UNC. This “siloed” effect of departments means that graduate students (particularly ones in BBSP) do not have the same experience. If you have a department that listens to their graduate students and acts on their concerns, your PhD experience is much different than departments where these dialogues don’t take place. That’s makes all of our PhD experiences different, but it can also lead to very negative experiences as well.
How did you maintain wellness during this past year?
I’m not sure anyone can, to be honest. The global pandemic, coupled with the heightened awareness surrounding racism that people of color already knew about and experienced means that everyone’s “wellness” is different. Some of us, as people of color, are waiting for others to catch up to our experiences. Others are trying to learn. Overall, I try to just take one day at a time.
Who are your role models (past and present)?
My mom was my role model.
My mom encouraged us to re-invent ourselves as children and become independent. As a child when I had my first encounter with discrimination she helped me understand that the world was always going to treat me different because of what I looked like, my name, and my language. However, she always encouraged me to work hard and to never forget where I came from.
How do you feel being the recipient this Boka H award in such a turbulent year like the past one?
I’m very honored to have received this award. But, to be honest, this award is NOT about me but rather about two groups of people: those who have believed in me and encouraged me to get to this place in my life, and those who I am committed to helping in the future. My service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua and in Panama taught me that my legacy is not about WHAT I’ve done, but about WHO and HOW MANY people I have helped.
Where do you see your future scientific career going?
Having a PhD will allow me to pursue other careers, but more importantly it will allow others who either look like me or have similar backgrounds as I do to see me and to know that they can attain a PhD as well.
Do you think where you were born and raised had an influence on your career goals?
I don’t think so. My career goals have fluctuated as I have gone through life. My own personal path is that of a non-traditional student: I didn’t go straight to a PhD from college and I took detours in college as well. My mom died (she had cancer) while I was in college so that forced me to be the rock that held my family together as I helped my dad and others pick up the pieces while still finishing college. My service as a Peace Corps Volunteer for nearly three years were profound and really shaped me as a person. I returned to the US, obtained a master’s degree, and taught for several years at the community college before returning to school for my PhD. I’ve never been afraid to do things differently than the norm, and I think that is okay. I think having more life experiences makes me unique and furthermore, able to help others more impactfully. There is a sense of “ganas” or “grit” that one has when life has not been easy or people have chosen a “different, non-traditional” path and I feel those are all things that can make people more well-rounded.
Pharmacology news post Congratulations to Juanita Limas, recipient of Boka W. Hadzija Award!
Chancellor’s Awards at Carolina, a video message and website of this years’ recipients.
2021 THE BOKA W. HADZIJA AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED UNIVERSITY SERVICE
Recipient: Juanita Limas
Professor Boka Hadzija exemplified excellence in scholarship, leadership and service to Carolina, earning the 2005 C. Knox Massey Distinguished Award and no fewer than 39 awards for teaching excellence from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and the University. Dr. Hadzija, who passed away unexpectedly in 2013, is remembered for her strong mentorship, her generous support of students and her outstanding leadership. In her memory, this award recognizes the graduate or professional student who has been judged most outstanding in character, scholarship and leadership.