Blazing a Trail: Guadalupe Amigon’s Journey from Uncertainty to Advocacy in Microbiology
FEATURED STORY
For many, the path to a career in science is straightforward. But for Guadalupe Amigon, a first-generation college student and recipient of the Márquez-Magaña Trailblazer Scholarship, the road to microbiology has been anything but conventional—and all the more powerful because of it.
Starting at a four-year university without a clear direction, Guadalupe quickly found the environment isolating. A lack of mentorship and representation led to a pivotal decision: to start anew at a community college. Initially set on nursing, the stark healthcare disparities revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic pushed her to reflect more deeply on the root causes of inequity in her own community.
It was there, in a microbiology course and through the mentorship of passionate professors, that her true calling emerged. “That class opened my eyes to the possibilities within microbiology,” Guadalupe reflects. “It was a pivotal experience that changed the course of my academic life.”
Transferring to San Francisco State University, Guadalupe found more than an academic home—she found belonging. Surrounded by Latinx faculty in leadership roles and professors who became mentors, she felt empowered and seen. “That support solidified my passion for microbiology,” she says, “and reaffirmed my commitment to a career that bridges scientific research with health equity.”
In Dr. Cathy Samayoa’s Health Equity Research Lab, this mission came to life. Working on community-grounded biomedical research, Guadalupe saw the impact science could have when guided by cultural competency and lived experience. One study, focused on Latina breast cancer survivors, deeply resonated with her. “It was the first time I saw how biology and community could truly intersect,” she says. “That’s the kind of research I want to do—scientifically rigorous and socially impactful.”
Her advocacy extends beyond the lab. Despite already completing the course, Guadalupe launched a successful petition to reinstate the Hematology class at SF State. Why? “Because educational equity isn’t just about personal success,” she insists. “It’s about ensuring others—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—have the tools they need to succeed and serve their communities.”
Looking ahead, Guadalupe plans to enter a Clinical Laboratory Science program and ultimately pursue advanced studies, perhaps through a master’s degree or an MD/PhD track. Her sights are set on transforming biomedical research from the inside out—pushing for inclusive practices, shaping public health policy, and mentoring the next generation of diverse scientists.
Receiving the Márquez-Magaña Trailblazer Scholarship is not just an honor for Guadalupe—it’s a responsibility. “This award affirms the value of lived experience in science,” she says. “It inspires me to keep pushing boundaries, question norms, and use science as a tool for justice and healing.”
With purpose and passion, Guadalupe Amigon is blazing a trail not just for herself, but for the future of inclusive, community-centered science.