Liliana Bolanos Arbaca: Making the technical look easy

This July, recent Durham Tech graduate Liliana “Lili” Bolanos Arbaca participated in the University of North Carolina EDGE Genomic symposium. EDGE, or Educational Pathways to Increase Diversity in Genomics, is a two-year summer program providing training in research skills, career opportunities and mentoring to undergraduate students, specifically first-year students and sophomore from underrepresented and disadvantaged, who are interested in genomics careers.

“The program is designed to bring more people to the field of genetics and genomics,” said Bolanos. “I learned what profession I might want to go into through my studies with the program. I am leaning towards genetic counseling. I would be involved with cancer patients, prenatal work, and those with other genetic conditions. I like the idea of helping people and guiding them through knowledge and correct information. It is powerful.”

Summer one of the two-year program provides an overview of genetics and genomics including application of genomics in patients as well as ethical, legal, and social issues surrounding the science. Year two puts students in research labs at UNC where each works on an independent research project, attend weekly lab meetings, and present their research at the completion of the program. While students are compensated and housing and meals provided when students are on in-person on UNC’s campus, there is no tuition or course credit offered to EDGE students.

Bolanos, who is currently at North Carolina State University as a C3 student and Microbiology major ended her time with EDGE by presenting a poster describing her research completed during her internship with UNC’s EDGE genomics program.

“My research involved measuring minimal residual disease (MRD) in pediatric leukemia,” shared Bolanos. “I looked at the before and after on leukemia drug treatment to see if the treatment was successful. If MRD is high the course of treatment may need to be changed. It is very technical and a lot like baking, you must measure carefully and be patient.”

Bolanos finished third out of 98 submitted posters.

“The ceremony was packed with summer participants from all different programs at UNC,” said Bolanos. “They called my name, and I was totally surprised and excited. What a nice feeling to have your work recognized.”

Bolanos says she became interested in research while at Durham Tech.

“Durham Tech gave me the chance to do major, real-life things. The school and instructors got me excited,” said Bolanos. “It was through Durham Tech that I found out about the internship. They were very good about sharing research opportunities with students. Durham Tech wants its students to go on and do great things. They help students get to those great things with much knowledge.”

Along with her accomplishments at Durham Tech and her success in the UNC EDGE internship, Bolanos holds down a full-time job as a medical interpreter.  

“I like my job, but I want more. After Sea-Phages ((Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) I knew research was for me. I enjoyed it and knew. I think it was Bio 12, I think, that made me know. I loved that class. But it was Sea-Phages that shaped me.”

Bolanos, a self-proclaimed lifelong learner, encourages Durham Tech students to grab every opportunity shared by the college and its instructors. She believes being well rounded makes one that much more marketable and “hire-able.”