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UST Graduate John Avila Jr to Pursue Doctorate Degree at UTSMC
6/10/2008
 John Manuel Avila Jr. admits he was not the best student early in his college career. It took some time and maturation with the guidance of a faculty mentor Assistant Professor Dr. Debra Bramblett, to help him find his true potential.
Avila will pursue a doctorate degree in the biomedical sciences at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSMC), which claims production of more active Nobel Prize winners than any other medical school, and is ranked by US News World Report as 22nd and 26th nationally for research and primary care respectively. Avila said the day he found out about his acceptance into the prestigious institution, was the happiest day of his life.
He attributes his success to the scope of the education he received at the University of St. Thomas and the environment which professors like Dr. Bramblett create on a daily basis to encourage development in the department’s students.
“Over the years Dr. Bramblett and other professors played a key role in helping me,” said Avila. “UST provided me with an extensive knowledge on different subjects. I think the personalized education gives me the advantage over students that come from larger institutions because the environment instilled a thirst for knowledge and education in all fields and not just my own,” Avila said.
Avila, the youngest of three children born to John Avila, a security guard, and Elvia, a housekeeping manager, said his choice to pursue a higher education at UST came easily. “Size was a very important factor for me. I come from a very small high school and so I knew I wouldn’t feel comfortable at a large institution. That was one of the central components that made me choose UST,” Avila said.
Avila credits three people for his success; his mother, father and Bramblett. “My parents have always encouraged me to follow my heart and assisted where they could. Dr. Bramblett was there whenever I had difficulties, whether they were school related or not. She was the one who guided me into research by taking me under her wing and teaching me a great deal about biology. She was just a superior mentor,” Avila said.
He looks forward to working at UTSMC where he can continue to nurture his passion for research and someday teach the next generation of scientists.
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