Doctoral Student Julio Molina Pineda Joins 2022 Cohort of GSA Early Career Leadership Program

Photo Submitted

Julio Molina Pineda, cell and molecular biology doctoral candidate

The Genetics Society of America, a leading international organization of nearly 6,000 genetics researchers and educators, has announced the latest cohort to join its Early Career Leadership Program.

Among this year's inductees is Julio Molina Pineda, a doctoral candidate in cell and molecular biology who will serve as co-chair of the Policy and Advocacy Subcommittee and was also awarded the Presidential Membership Initiative due to his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

This competitive program provides an opportunity for graduate students and postdocs to propose, develop and implement initiatives that address unmet needs for the early career scientist community and the genetics field. 

Molina Pineda earned his bachelor's degrees at University of the Ozarks in Clarksville and received a Doctoral Academy Fellowship to attend the U of A. His graduate research focuses on using yeast to understand why certain individuals are particularly susceptible to toxic effects of the Parkinson's disease-related protein alpha-synuclein. His doctoral adviser is Jeffrey A. Lewis, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. 

Molina Pineda believes the genetics field is advancing at such a fast pace that governments are having a hard time enacting ethical laws around genetic manipulation. During his two-year tenure in the Early Career Leadership Program, he said he wishes to start a proposal for an official, peer-approved ethical framework for genetic manipulation. He also said he hopes that his experience and work will highlight the importance of immigrants in our scientific endeavors and expects to be an advocate for the needs of all under-represented groups in the genetics community.

Lewis, Molina Pineda's adviser, said he is incredibly proud of all Molina Pineda has achieved. 

"The Genetics Society of America is my favorite professional organization, putting together not just great journals and conferences, but also for being world leaders on scientific advocacy, training and mentoring," Lewis said. "So of course I'm thrilled and proud that Julio was selected not only to join this year's cohort, but to also co-chair the Policy and Advocacy Subcommittee."

"In addition to being a talented and hardworking bench scientist, Julio has been growing into leadership roles on campus such as being elected as an officer for the Biology Graduate Student Association," Lewis added. "This was very well deserved, and I look forward to seeing how Julio and the ECLP will make a positive difference."