Life presents many opportunities; we choose whether we say 'yes’ or 'no’ to those opportunities. Carmen Hinojosa–Laborde, Ph.D. has said 'yes’ to countless opportunities over the years, and with great passion. As an Associate Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, she conducts biomedical research on high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
“I study how female hormones, such as estrogen, protect young women against hypertension. I also study the effects of hormone replacement therapy on blood pressure,” Hinojosa–Laborde says.
ucating her students on the proper procedures for designing valid scientific studies. It is clear she shares her students’ enthusiasm for learning and conducting research.
On days away from the lab and her students, Hinojosa–Laborde says 'yes’ and volunteers with the American Heart Association at the national and local levels. She also is a very active volunteer at Providence Catholic School where her daughter, Veronica, attends. Her giving attitude has propelled a decision made by Hinojosa–Laborde, her three sisters and mother, to create a scholarship in honor of her father that will provide an opportunity for girls today. The scholarship, Armando Hinojosa Scholarship for Excellence in Math and Science, supports one Providence junior or senior student meeting the math / science requirements set forth by the scholarship.
Importance of Foundations
So how does one young girl from San Antonio get to this point in her life? The answer is “by saying yes.” Hinojosa–Laborde believes it is all because of the fateful day she asked her dad to send her to an–all girl’s private school.
“My cousin was attending at the time and I wanted to be there. I personally was not having success with public school so I pleaded with my dad to let me try Providence,” Hinojosa–Laborde says.
Using Providence as her starting point, her path was set.
“Countless opportunities were available to me,” Hinojosa–Laborde says, “I never felt disadvantaged, unequal or suppressed.”
She attributes her motivation and confidence to her strong high school foundation and her family support. All she had to do was say 'yes’ to these opportunities.
Upon receiving her high school diploma, she continued her education by obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Mary’s University and a PhD in Pharmacology from the Graduate School of Biomedical Science at the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSCSA). While at St. Mary’s, her counselor encouraged her to seek out a graduate program.
“When I was in high school, my sister and I volunteered as candy stripers at the hospital. I liked the medical field but I knew treating patients was not the path for me,” Hinojosa–Laborde says.
She loved biology and science and wanted to find the appropriate avenue for her talents and to contribute to the medical field.
When given the opportunity, Hinojosa–Laborde jumped at the chance to observe Dr. Miguel Medina’s laboratory research while participating in a work–study program.
“I was merely washing dishes in the laboratory but [at the same time] absorbing all the activity and research and I loved it,” she says.
While at St. Mary’s, she met her husband Alfred Laborde, M.D. Although introduced by her sister in college, she had known him previously from her days at Providence. Alfred attended Central Catholic High School, located next to Providence. They were married in 1985, and recently celebrated 24 years together with their children Veronica, 17, and AJ, 16.
The Next 'Yes’
As a graduate student at UTHSCSA from 1980 and 1985, Laborde worked with JR Haywood, Ph.D.
“He was my thesis advisor. Dr. Haywood took me under his wing and encouraged me, especially when I was ready to quit,” Hinojosa–Laborde says.
With her mentor by her side, she continued her lab research and earned her Ph.D.
Transitioning in their education and careers as a married couple, the Laborde’s moved to Chicago so Alfred could begin his surgical residency. Hinojosa–Laborde, in search of a post–doctoral fellowship, was contacted by world–renowned physiologist, Allen Cowley Jr., a Ph.D. at the Medical College of Wisconsin and was invited to pursue her training in his laboratory.
“The opportunity presented itself and I could not say no. Besides, it was only an hour away from Chicago,” Hinojosa–Laborde says.
After spending five years in Milwaukee and not ready to settle, the Labordes were on the move but this time to Iowa where Alfred was accepted into the vascular surgery fellowship program. Again, opportunity came knocking on Hinojosa–Laborde’s door this time in the form of an invitation to join the research team led by Gerald DiBona, M.D. from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Dr. DiBona, an internationally acclaimed clinician scientist, had perfected techniques, which were vital for Hinojosa–Laborde’s research. She took this next opportunity and made the most of of it.
“I would agree that Carmen is an opportunist at a very high level. She independently sought out a special arrangement at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) whereby special set aside funds for minority young investigators pursuing post–doctoral fellowship training could be added to the individual research grant of their mentor,” DiBona says. “I believe she was one of the first to be awarded such an arrangement. Her performance was so successful and promising under that fellowship award that it led to further and similar sorts of research support both within other minority programs at NIH and/or at San Antonio.”
For the next two years, Laborde created new opportunities, learned new techniques and broadened her knowledge in her area of research.
Approaching the end of their time in Iowa, the Labordes decided to move back to San Antonio and utilize all their knowledge locally. Alfred joined Peripheral Vascular Associates in 1992 and Hinojosa–Laborde became an Assistant, and then Associate, Professor at UTHSCSA.
Lasting Impressions
After all of her educational and work experience, one mentor stands out for Hinojosa–Laborde.
“As a scientist, I have many mentors. This is crucial for career development. The person who has contributed most to my success as a scientist is JR Haywood, Ph.D. He was my supervising professor when I was a graduate student and he is one of my best friends,” Hinojosa–Laborde says.
She also views her parents, Armando and Gloria Hinojosa and Alfred’s parents, Alfredo and Ana Laborde, as important mentors to both her and Alfred.
“Between these two couples, they raised 13 very happy and successful children,” Hinojosa–Laborde says.
Carmen Hinojosa–Laborde’s secret to success? Saying 'yes’ when opportunity comes knocking.
