Dr. Monica Gonzalez Ramirez

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FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Monica Gonzalez Ramirez is the newest Assistant Director at the Undergraduate Research Center – Sciences and plays a vital role in running many of our department’s programs, including PEERS, TREP, and more. We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Gonzalez Ramirez to ask about her experiences with undergraduate research at UCLA and how she supports students through their various career trajectories in science, among many other topics. Read Dr. Gonzalez Ramirez’s full interview below.

1. How would you describe your experiences with undergraduate research at UCLA?

Being a part of the Undergraduate Research Center – Sciences has provided me with the opportunity to interact with and mentor several students during my time at UCLA. Each experience is unique, as the students come from diverse backgrounds, possess varying levels of exposure to research, and have distinct career aspirations. My aim is to understand their overarching life goals so that I can effectively support them in overcoming both academic and personal challenges. Having a research background myself enhances these conversations, allowing me to share insights about the research experience and how to navigate the obstacles that often accompany it. These interactions are incredibly rewarding, as I witness the growth of undergraduate students in their academic capabilities, the confidence they gain in pursuing research opportunities, and their success in reaching their objectives.

2. What are your most effective approaches to promote undergraduate research success?

I believe that the most effective strategies for promoting undergraduate research success are transparency, networking, and support. It is essential for students to understand what it takes to become a researcher. This includes selecting a laboratory with a supportive research mentor, fostering a healthy work culture, being aware of the competitive nature of the field, and recognizing the significant amount of troubleshooting involved in obtaining data. Collaborating on laboratory projects or other initiatives with peers is an excellent way to advance both science and society. One of the rewarding aspects of engaging in research is the multitude of opportunities to connect with other researchers within your field and beyond. Just like in any profession, there will be days when things don’t go as planned, and it is during these times that researchers need a robust support system. The encouragement of mentors, peers, friends, and family can help make challenges, setbacks, and failures more manageable. This support reminds you of your strengths, acknowledges the limitations beyond your control, and offers fresh perspectives to navigate these obstacles.

3. What should undergraduates consider before they begin their research journey?

As undergraduates begin to envision their research journey, it is essential to consider their capacity to confront adversity. While pursuing a research career can be incredibly fulfilling, it is not without its challenges. In addition to possessing the academic intelligence to grasp complex topics, researchers must demonstrate exceptional problem-solving skills and creativity to develop innovative tools. Equally important is the resilience needed to navigate rejections and failures. Not every email sent in the hopes of joining a research lab will receive a response, and those that do may not yield a positive outcome. Once in the laboratory, it is important to recognize that not every experiment will succeed or provide conclusive evidence to support a hypothesis. Similarly, journals may not accept your manuscript on the first attempt, and securing grant funding can be a challenging process. In these instances, researchers must persevere, remain focused, and acknowledge that the research process is inherently time-consuming. Throughout this journey, we cultivate resilience and adaptability, which ultimately equip us for success despite the myriad challenges we may encounter.

4. How do you support students as they navigate different career trajectories in science?

I encourage students to pursue their happiness, trust their intuition, and recognize that as human beings, we are in a constant state of change and evolution. While change can be intimidating, it is ultimately beneficial and essential for our growth. Higher education provides us with the knowledge and tools necessary to make well-informed decisions that align with our skills, talents, and values. Transitioning between career paths within the field of science is not only acceptable but also encouraged. What is essential is having a plan, along with a contingency plan, to navigate any challenges that may arise. I want students to chase their dream careers without the fear of disappointing their mentors, professors, or family. By choosing a path that fosters fulfillment and joy, they will become better resources and role models for those around them. Teaching students that they have the autonomy to shape their life and career choices empowers them to trust themselves and emerge as leaders.

5. What is one of your most memorable or rewarding moments in mentoring undergraduate students?

There isn’t a single moment that stands out above the rest in my experience mentoring students. Each student brings a unique story, set of needs, and challenges, resulting in numerous rewarding experiences for me as their mentor. I take great joy in guiding them through complex situations, witnessing their confidence and resilience grow, watching their frowns transform into smiles, and celebrating their journey toward self-fulfillment and happiness in their life choices. The ultimate reward, however, lies in the trust my students place in me, knowing that I am always here to support them.

 

Research Opportunity: 2025 JIFRESSE Summer Internship Program (JSIP)

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Apply now for a research position under mentors at JPL and UCLA. Applications due April 11, 2025. Read below for details.

Program Duration: June to September, 2025

Program Objective: Provide UCLA undergraduate students an opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research under the guidance of experienced mentors at JPL and UCLA and strengthen the collaborations between JPL and UCLA.

Eligibility:

Be a continuing undergraduate student and eligible for 2025 fall quarter registration at UCLA. Exceptional graduate students may be considered.
Complete three quarters at UCLA
Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5/4.0
Not under any academic or disciplinary sanction
No past JSIP interns
Not able to sponsor foreign students from designated countries (the restrictions apply to countries in any of the four columns in the list)

Application Procedure:

The application materials include:

A cover letter clearly stating the project of interest
A resume
A statement of research interest related to the project identified
An unofficial transcript
Two letters of recommendation (directly to gu@atmos.ucla.edu)
Please submit applications to Dr. Yu Gu, gu@atmos.ucla.edu, no later than April 11, 2025. Please indicate your top 3 projects of interest. We will work with the mentors for confidential evaluations.

Program Duration:

10-week, from June to September. Selected intern will receive a stipend of $7,100 for the ten-week period ($8,100 for a master student and $9,100 for a doctoral student).

Work Location:

At UCLA or JPL or remotely following UCLA and JPL guidelines for the summer of 2025.

Research Opportunity: Screening for Normal Volunteers for Schizophrenia Study

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Apply now for a research position in the Aftercare Research Program with Dr. Kenneth Subotnik. Read below for details.

Job Description:

The UCLA Aftercare Research Program has been on the UCLA campus for over two decades, and provides free psychiatric treatment for patients with a recent onset of schizophrenia who participate in the research study. Our longitudinal research program examines whether we can accentuate our efforts to get first break patients back to work to prevent the onset of chronic disability. Duties include data entry, scheduling of research subjects, updating of clinician referral database, and administering research measures to research participants.

The student will assist the Aftercare Research Program staff with general research/project tasks including: data file management, data entry and data collection, tracking and triggering research measures, and updating the data entry site. Other tasks can include off-site data storage inventory, and assisting the patient coordinator with file maintenance and errands.

Qualifications:

Students with an interest in schizophrenia and psychopathology research are encouraged to apply. This position is particularly appropriate for undergraduates with a minimum overall GPA of 3.5. Second year students are especially encouraged to apply, but all years will be considered. Must be extremely reliable and dependable (excessive tardiness and absences are NOT acceptable). Must be able to balance competing demands and must be competent in multitasking and adapting to fluctuating priorities. Candidate must be detail-oriented, organized, accurate, and efficient with minimal supervision. Candidate must have excellent oral and written English communications skills. Ability to understand issues of patient confidentiality and safety is required. Proficiency in the use of standard PC office equipment and standard PC software (i.e. MS Office, Word, Excel, Internet searching) is also required. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal boundaries with patients and staff and be able to work in a shared workspace with a diverse team of mental health professionals.

Documents to submit: Resume, Cover Letter, Unofficial Transcript, Writing Sample

Applications Accepted Until: Jul 01 2027

Send materials to: ksubotnik@mednet.ucla.edu

Company/Department Website: http://www.semel.ucla.edu/aftercare

Document Submission notes: Please name each file with the following format (in the following example, the applicant’s name is “Jane Doe”, The content is “Resume”, and date (e.g., Jane Doe Resume 3-1-2025). Other documents should use a similar file naming format. Writing sample can be a term paper for college level class, preferably one with a literature review included.

Approximate hours per week: 4-8

Approved for: SRP-99 credit

Location: On-campus

Division/Department: Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences

Desired start date: Apr 01, 2025