Laurel Boatright entered college expecting to continue a legacy of care through pursuing an MD. Her father is a chemical engineer, and her mother and several aunts are nurses. Growing up, medicine and science were always part of her world.

Research eventually offered another possibility. Her microbiology professor at Texas A&M University, Jessica Galloway-Peña, PhD '13, an alumna of the Graduate School’s Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Program, introduced Boatright to the possibility of pursuing a PhD there.

Now a student in the program, Boatright studies differences between bacteria in the healthy cervical environment and those present in cervical cancer, with the goal of informing treatment and improving outcomes for women.

Science across disciplines

Boatright describes her research as highly collaborative. Her work draws on expertise across UT MD Anderson as well as UTHealth Houston, with additional collaborations across the Texas Medical Center.

“Every research lab has their area of expertise. Bringing those perspectives together helps researchers answer scientific questions more completely.”

That collaborative approach extends to her mentorship. After candidacy, Boatright transitioned to a co-mentorship, giving her two mentors with complementary expertise — Christopher Johnston, PhD, and Lauren Colbert, MD, MSCR — to guide her dissertation research and support her through upcoming milestones in her training.

Boatright is also quick to recognize the women who make that research possible. She describes the patients who participate in the studies as “incredibly brave,” particularly those contributing to research while undergoing treatment or receiving care.

“None of my research would be possible without the women that have been enrolled on our studies. It’s incredibly selfless of them to want to help future generations of women with cervical and gynecological cancers.”

Investing in growth and well-being

Boatright feels fortunate she received the Steve Lasher and Janiece Longoria Graduate Student Research Award in Cancer Biology, support she says has given her more freedom to focus on her dissertation research and coursework, while maintaining an active personal life, which she feels is very important.

“That extra bit of financial support is invaluable for allowing me focus on completing my research.”

Boatright describes mentorship and support throughout the Graduate School as “unmatched” and central to her experience, with faculty she can approach for scientific or personal guidance, who genuinely want to see her succeed during graduate training and beyond.

Outside the lab, Boatright spends time with Graduate School friends exploring Houston’s restaurants and shopping and thrifting for records and books. At home, there’s her cat, who is “kind of mean, but I love her and she definitely keeps me sane while I'm navigating graduate school.”

Finding what comes next

Boatright plans to remain involved in research in the near term, drawing on “a variety of technical skills, expertise, and knowledge in different areas of science,” gained through the Graduate School’s interdisciplinary environment as her career develops.