Diego Hernando, PhD shared his career journey with medical students during the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Office of Multicultural Affairs monthly dinner series in September.
Dr. Hernando enjoyed sharing his story and connecting with the students. “I was excited to meet people from different cultures, people that have different perspectives about what it means to be in Madison and at the university. I also benefit from the conversation and questions; and hearing other people’s thoughts and experiences and sharing my own.”
For students interested in pursuing a PhD degree, Dr. Hernando emphasizes the importance of mentorship. “Who your mentors are has such a massive impact on your life and career; and not just in terms of ‘are they a famous doctor’ or ‘are they a great researcher’. Are they someone with whom you can have a real mentorship relationship, and who is going to be supportive for many years?”
He encourages students to keep their options open as they advance in their careers, and make sure they think about what they want in life.
“I love working hard on research and collaborating with really smart people to solve difficult problems. But I also think about when I’m in my 70s, sitting on my porch, am I going to regret not publishing more papers or getting more grants, or will I wish that I had spent more time with my family? Make sure that what you’re doing is aligned with your priorities and your long-term goals.”