Searching for a cure to cancer prepares El Pasoan Carina Sanchez for dental school

Carina Sanchez completed one major chapter in her life in May when she graduated from the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

There won’t be much time to relax – for her next chapter, she’ll be laser-focused on pursuing her lifelong dream to become a dentist. She hopes to be an ideal candidate for her first choice: the Hunt School of Dental Medicine.

“Thousands are vying for a place in the dental program,” she said. “The biomedical research program will also give me plenty of experience when I continue lab research in dental school.”

Sanchez said her ultimate goal is to become a doctor in dental surgery and someday care for patients from our Borderplex community.

But the road through higher education hasn’t been easy. In her undergrad years, Sanchez felt like she faded into a sea of students in a lecture hall. Her passion for learning diminished over the years. It was Francis GSBS Dean Rajkumar Lakshmanaswamy, Ph.D., popularly known as “Dr. Raj,” and other faculty members who sparked a newfound calling for Sanchez.

“This master’s program helped light a fire under me I hadn’t felt in years,” Sanchez said. “I was given the opportunity to learn from doctors who are extremely knowledgeable in their field of study. Their passion was evident even in a small classroom setting.”

On the financial side, Sanchez also received support thanks to Francis GSBS donors who believe in growing our own Borderplex researchers, physicians, dentists and nurses at Texas Tech Health El Paso. Sanchez received a Francis GSBS Scholarship, which covers her full tuition.

At school, Sanchez said the faculty researchers, mentors, and lab techs helped smooth the transition from theoretical classroom knowledge to hands-on lab work.

“I work alongside many scientists who’ve become great mentors. They’ve taught me invaluable skills in research and life,” she said. “I want to do the same for the next generation of young scientists and doctors.”

Sanchez’s final year at the Francis GSBS included work that will leave a mark on the future of our Borderplex, building on important cancer research conducted by prior graduates.

“They led the way for my work with liver cancer cells,” she said. “It makes me proud to be a part of cancer research that could someday lead to improved treatments or cures, because the disease has affected my family members.”

During her final year at the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Carina Sanchez conducted research on liver cancer cells, which may lead to breakthroughs in treatment.