In this first-person narrative, University of Nevada, Reno alumna Dominique Daniel looks back at her experiences as part of the Wolf Pack and how her education shaped her future opportunities.

As a little girl, I would flip through my father's biology, microbiology and anatomy textbooks, captivated by the intricate systems that make life possible.

I was fascinated that something as small as a microbe could influence a human body and amazed by the complexity hidden beneath our skin.

Decades later, after earning degrees in biology and biochemistry, completing a Ph.D. in virology, and training as an immunology postdoctoral researcher, I found myself in an unexpected place: helping shape strategy and decision-making in the biotechnology industry. While the path wasn't one I could have imagined then, it was guided by the same curiosity that first drew me to science.

From biology to biochemistry: Never be afraid to pivot

That curiosity led me to the University of Nevada, Reno, where I enrolled as a biology major and began exploring different paths in healthcare and science.

During my sophomore year, I worked as a pharmacy technician, gaining experience in hospital, retail and compounding pharmacy. While it gave me valuable insight into patient care, it also helped me discover what I was most drawn to.

The turning point came during my junior year when I took a pharmacology course with Professor Iain Buxton. His class opened my eyes to how molecules can shape remarkably specific outcomes in the human body, and it sparked a fascination with the science behind those processes. Inspired by that experience, I pursued a second undergraduate degree in biochemistry through the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources. I wanted to contribute to scientific discovery itself, helping advance the knowledge that ultimately leads to new treatments and therapies.

Growing as a scientist and a mother

That pivot to biochemistry led me to the late Professor Greg Pari's lab, where I pursued a Ph.D. in the same department, studying the host and viral factors involved in human cytomegalovirus replication. What drew me to virology was the opportunity to answer fundamental scientific questions while contributing to a body of knowledge that could ultimately lead to new treatments or vaccines that improve lives.

Graduate school challenged me in ways I never expected. I published three papers, completed my doctorate in three and a half years, and welcomed my daughter just a few months before defending my dissertation.

"At the University, I learned that it was possible to pursue ambitious professional goals while building a family, a lesson that has stayed with me throughout my career."

Looking back, those years taught me far more than the science of viral replication. They taught me resilience, discipline and how to prioritize what matters most. At the University, I learned that it was possible to pursue ambitious professional goals while building a family, a lesson that has stayed with me throughout my career.

From scientific researcher to business leader

After completing my Ph.D., I continued my scientific training as an immunology postdoctoral fellow at the University of Utah. During that time, I began thinking more broadly about how scientific discoveries move beyond the laboratory and ultimately improve people's lives. While I loved research, I realized I wanted to play a role in the bigger picture of innovation and human health.

That realization led me into the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, where I discovered an unexpected passion for strategy and leadership. Along the way, I earned an MBA and built a career that allows me to bridge science and business, helping organizations make informed decisions about research, development and the future of human health.

What I value most about my work today is the opportunity to combine the scientific foundation I built as a researcher with the strategic thinking I developed in industry. While my career has taken me in directions I never anticipated as an undergraduate, the foundation I built at the University made every step possible.

Looking back, what stands out most is that my path was anything but linear. At different points, I thought I might become a pharmacist, a lifelong academic researcher or something else entirely. Each experience taught me something valuable and opened doors to opportunities I hadn't imagined.

What once felt like detours turned out to be stepping stones made possible by the University.

The power of mentorship

It was at the University that I developed as a scientist, learned how to think critically and found mentors who challenged me to reach beyond what I thought was possible. Professor Buxton sparked my passion for pharmacology and biochemistry, and the late Professor Pari helped me grow as a researcher and scholar. Their mentorship, along with the opportunities I found at the University, changed the trajectory of my life.

My father attended the University and played a huge role in sparking my love of science, but the realities of raising a growing family while working full time prevented him from completing his degree. Because of that, I was the first college graduate in my family.

As a first-generation college graduate, I didn't have a road map for how to navigate higher education or build a career in science, but I learned that you don't need to have every step planned from the start. Be curious, stay open to new opportunities and trust that your path will evolve. Mine led from a childhood fascination with science to a career helping advance innovation in human health, and it all began at the University of Nevada, Reno.

About the author

Dominique Daniel, Ph.D., MBA, earned a bachelor's degree in biology before completing a second bachelor's degree in biochemistry and a doctorate through the University’s Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology. Today, she serves as a global portfolio leader at Genentech, where she oversees portfolio strategy, development strategy, strategic insights and analytics.