Get to know Biomedical Sciences alumna, Jocelyne Mendez-Guzman!

We're connecting with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) alumni to see what they're up to today. This series of blogs will help you understand what life after graduating university can look like and might even give you inspiration for your future! Read their stories to see what could be waiting for you.

Jocelyne Mendez-Guzman works at BioRender (external link, opens in new window)  and graduated from TMU’s Biomedical Sciences program in 2021. She also received a certificate for Mental Health and Addictions (opens in new window)  and is currently enrolled in the Molecular Science graduate program at TMU. 

Our vibrant campus in the heart of Toronto and her programs' intimate class sizes were key factors for why Jocelyne chose TMU. As a STEM student, she appreciated the meaningful interactions with her faculty members and peers and she felt drawn towards this sense of community.

The courses that Jocelyne took helped her develop valuable skills such as designing experiments and thinking analytically. She also said that taking part in speaking competitions along with other extracurricular activities boosted her confidence. She now uses this skill in the workplace when pitching projects and presenting ideas. 

According to Jocelyne, having a passion for learning and practicing patience are a few of the few attributes needed to thrive in STEM. She said, “This field often involves navigating failures and setbacks, so maintaining an open mindset focused on problem-solving and collaboration is crucial.” In addition, she said you need to have compassion for others and yourself. Studying science comes with its stressors and challenges, so it's important for her to implement the practice of patience in her life. 

A major challenge for Jocelyne was balancing work, school and extracurricular activities. She learned to manage her time and stay organized while juggling part-time work and academic commitments. 

Jocelyne added on, “Facing imposter syndrome was another significant challenge — given the limited representation of Latinas in my field. However, these experiences have reinforced my belief in my capabilities and the importance of diverse representation in STEM.”

In her graduate program, Jocelyne gives her best effort by showing up in the lab regularly, understanding when things go wrong and taking a step back when she’s feeling discouraged. Jocelyne said, “If I find myself getting frustrated, I know it’s more productive to pause and return later with a fresh perspective.” With that said, she loves roller skating and painting when she needs to unwind.

Jocelyne said that the highlight of her career so far is being a teaching assistant for undergraduate students. She always felt a strong desire to mentor and guide others, and aims to help students avoid the struggles she experienced as an undergrad student. Jocelyne’s favourite thing is igniting passion for research with her students and seeing them reach their full potential in the lab. 

She also touched upon her character development and how she has been taught resilience through her studies. She said, “Facing more failures in the last two years than in the first 18 years of my life has been pivotal in shaping me into someone who holds herself accountable and takes responsibility for her success and well-being. I’m really proud of who I’m becoming — all thanks to my wonderful experiences at TMU.”

I loved the way Jocelyne touched upon her “imposter syndrome” when it came to being a Latina studying in the field of science and research — it’s a genuine statement that likely resonates with others in the same place as her. I admire her strength in overcoming these challenges and pursuing what truly matters to her!

You can learn more about Jocelyne over on the Alumni and Friends blog. Also, for more information about applying and getting your post-secondary journey started, check out the how to apply page!

Talk to you later,

Hadiqah