Heather Barreda

Biography

Previous Degrees
BS Genetics, Texas A&M University

What is your favorite word? What do you like about it?
It is difficult to narrow down a single favorite word, but I would say one of my top favorites is the word tocayo. It is the Spanish word for namesake and is commonly used for people who share the same name. I particularly like the way it sounds.

What is on your bookshelf?
I currently have A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived (A. Rutherford), Wizard’s First Rule (T. Goodkind), Mythology (E. Hamilton), and The Hobbit (JRR Tolkein) on my bookshelf, among other titles. I also have a small collection of board games and some knickknacks left by my grandmother.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Most people are surprised to learn that I have been boxing for over 10 years now, although I do not compete.

What degrees do you hold and from what institutions?
B.S. in genetics from Texas A&M University.

What excites you about joining Texas A&M School of Medicine for your PhD studies?
Having completed my undergrad at A&M, I have seen the university grow and advance over the years as an institution with better facilities and a wider scope of research, so I am excited to improve my skills as a researcher at TAMU.

If you could meet any scientist throughout history, who would you want to meet and why?
I would want to meet Nikola Tesla because he seemed like an eccentric and very forward-thinking person.

Tell us something you are passionate about apart from research.
I am quite passionate about photography. Both of my parents are experienced photographers and some of my earliest memories are of traveling to various photo shoots. If I was unable to pursue research as a career, I would pursue a career as a professional nature photographer.