Frota originally moved to the US from Brazil when she was seven years old. Learning English had its challenges, but she saw the language shift as an opportunity to learn something new and grow. Frota had always been “fascinated by the idea of creating something of impact, of leaving the world better than I found it.” She believes that a career in STEM, particularly Photonics Engineering, allowed her to do just that. It also seemed very sci-fi and incredibly empowering. Frota knew that the course-load would be challenging, however, she didn’t realize that studying STEM would also allow her to venture deeper into newly cultivated passions and interests.
Summer 2019, Frota’s research included the application of microfabrication and nanotechnology to cell and tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Frota’s work focused specifically understanding Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that can cause sudden death. The goal was to better understand this condition so that when creating a cardiac path, per the CELL-MET initiative, it will be healthy and improbable to develop this condition.
She found out that Boston is a city that cultivates innovation and always has something new going on. It is historic, but also very new and fresh. After a summer in the city, her advice to future participants is this: “Embrace it. Fully. The experience, the learning, the city. Make the most out of every moment.”
Since participating in the REU, Rafaela Frota graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Photonic Science and Engineering. She currently works at IBM.
