Convocation ‘24: Gala Araujo, MSc Human Nutrition and Metabolism, Agricultural Food & Nutritional Science

Gala Araujo, MSc Human Nutrition and Metabolism, Agricultural Food & Nutritional Science

“I learned how to step back, give myself some grace when things didn’t go perfectly.”

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With an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, Gala Araujo chose to stay at the University of Alberta for her master’s degree in human nutrition, she says, because she felt supported by the academic community and was inspired by the university’s commitment to research. Also, she felt at home. 

Gala’s family emigrated from Colombia when she was four, settling first in Windsor for three years before moving to Calgary. 

Living away from home can be difficult, but Gala persisted, and built a community of friends and peers around her by living in residence, and by seeking out leadership roles throughout her program, particularly in residents’ groups and associations. It was her way of advocating for the things that directly affected her and the people she cared about.

She applied the same sort of critical thinking to her coursework in cardiovascular research, and when the load got too heavy, she made the decision to go from five courses (plus labs) to four, to make her program more sustainable.

“I learned how to step back, give myself some grace when things didn’t go perfectly, and ask for help from professors and friends, which made a huge difference,” she says. 

Now enrolled in a PhD program in pharmaceutical sciences at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Gala’s advice for future students is to “relax a little bit.” 

“I spent so much of my time in university worried about grades and deadlines, but in the end, everything worked out.”

Congratulations Gala!

What led you to choose your current area of study, and why the U of A for your studies?

I became interested in science, specifically related to human health, due to my family history of heart disease. When I was 13 years old, my uncle El Vega died of a heart attack. He was one of my father’s eleven siblings, and he, like all the men on my father’s side of the family, died of heart disease due to a genetically passed down cardiac arrhythmia. While heart disease is a global issue, racialized groups, most notably Latinos (and Black and Indigenous people), like my family and myself, are significantly more likely to experience a life-threatening cardiovascular event. So, the decision to undergo a degree in biochemistry and later in human nutrition provided me with the opportunity to build an understanding of diseases at a cellular level while also learning relevant laboratory techniques.

I started my BSc in biochemistry at the University of Alberta in 2017 and chose to stay there to complete my Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Metabolism because of the positive and enriching experience I had during my undergrad. Throughout my time at the U of A, I felt incredibly supported by the academic community and inspired by the university’s commitment to research. Beyond academics, I also met some of my closest friends at the university residences, which made the transition to living away from home feel less overwhelming.

What is one of your favourite memories from your time at the U of A?

I have so many favourite memories from my time at the U of A that it’s hard to pick just one, so I’ll pick two :)

My first was during the finals of my first year when I stayed up until 4 a.m. with my best friend Taiye stressing over exams, making indomie noodles in the communal kitchen, and watching Say Yes To the Dress.

And my second would be the first time I met my partner (of now four years) in CHEM 261 (Organic Chemistry). I remember he sat beside me, and we bonded over our shared confusion about what was happening in class that day.

Tell us about your favourite professor and/or class.

My favourite class was BIOCH 401A (Biochemistry Laboratory), taught by Adrienne Wright. I loved this class because it was my first experience with laboratory techniques, allowing me to apply the concepts I’d learned in lectures to real experiments. Her enthusiasm and patience also made complex topics more approachable, and her guidance helped me build confidence in my practical skills. This class not only deepened my understanding of biochemistry but also sparked my interest in pursuing further research.

Did you take on any leadership roles while you were a student? If so, please share your experiences.

During my almost seven years at the U of A, I worked as a resident assistant of Nîpisîy House, vice president of finance of the HUB Community Association, and president of the Newton Place Residents’ Association. Living in residence for four years made it easy to get involved since a lot of the things I was advocating for I was passionate about, as they directly affected me and the people I cared about. I would recommend getting involved in student leadership to anyone interested.  

Did you face any significant obstacles or challenges during your program, and if so, how did you respond?

One of the biggest challenges I faced during my program was dealing with the heavy workload and the pressure I put on myself to perform well in every course. There were so many times I felt overwhelmed and like I was on my own. But eventually, I realized that five courses (plus two labs a week) just wasn’t sustainable for me, and I decided to drop to four classes a semester. I also learned how to step back, give myself some grace when things didn’t go perfectly, and ask for help from professors and friends, which made a huge difference.

What advice do you have for current and future students?

My advice for future students is to relax a little bit. I spent so much of my time in university stressed and constantly worried about grades and deadlines, but in the end, everything worked out. Looking back, I wish I had trusted the process more and allowed myself to enjoy the experience, especially since COVID-19 took away so much of the time I could have spent with my friends/hobbies. So, take a deep breath, do your best, and remember that it’ll all be okay in the end.

How do you plan on celebrating convocation?

I plan on spending time with friends and family. Since I never got to attend my BSc graduation due to the pandemic, I’m excited for the opportunity to get done up in the academic regalia, walk the stage, and celebrate with the people closest to me.

What's next after graduation?

In April of this year, I started my PhD in pharmaceutical sciences at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Building off the techniques and cardiac-specific knowledge I gained during my master's degree at the U of A, my current thesis project in the Rodrigues lab at UBC, examines how the heart uses energy, and how this changes under pathological conditions.