Marissa Salinas is a molecular biologist passionate about advancing interdisciplinary research to improve human health. A first-generation Mexican American college graduate, Salinas earned her B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), where she was a MARC Fellow, Doug Drexler Memorial Scholar, and a four-time member of the Dean’s Honors List.
Her research journey began with a fascination for the mechanisms that maintain DNA replication and genomic stability. She explored this passion in Dr. Michael Stone’s lab by studying the role of pol-α-primase in telomere protection. Later, through the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at NYU, she examined the role of CD69 in tissue-resident memory T cells under Dr. Susan Schwab. Salinas returned to UCSC to investigate the effects of computationally derived mutations on precursor mRNA splicing—an experience that further deepened her commitment to interdisciplinary science.
Beyond the lab, Salinas has served as a leader in the UCSC Chemistry Club, interned at the UCSC Chemical Screening Center, and participated in national programs through Yale and Harvard designed to support future biomedical scientists. Her early life experiences translating medical conversations for her grandparents helped spark her interest in the human body and laid the foundation for her scientific aspirations.
Salinas was drawn to St. Jude for its unmatched sense of community, mission-driven science, and supportive environment. From her very first visit, she knew it was a place where she could thrive both personally and professionally. She is honored to join the St. Jude Graduate School, where she looks forward to building a career rooted in purpose, discovery, and impact.
Hometown: Aromas, CA
Education:
2025 - BS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – University of California, Santa Cruz
Awards/Honors/Scholarships:
2025 - Program to Advance Training in Health and Sciences Certification – Yale University
2024 - Doug Drexler Memorial Scholarship – University of California, Santa Cruz
2023 - Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Fellowship
2022 - Collegiate Scholars Program – University of California, Santa Cruz
2021-25 - Dean’s Honors List – University of California, Santa Cruz