The AdaMarie Mirrors reflect back to us the many roads (often winding, never smooth) to success! Real stories of real women to see yourself reflected in. At first, you’ll see Adriana in this mirror, but eventually, we hope you’ll see yourself.

Welcome, Adriana Torres!

Getting to Know You:

Field of Work: Molecular Biology
Expertise In: Bench work, experimental design, grant writing
Current Company: FujiFilm Irvine Scientific
Job Title: Associate Scientist
One-liner About What You’re Working On: Cloning recombinant proteins
Currently geeking out over: E. coli
STEM Hero: Jennifer Doudna

Tell us about your professional journey – how did you get where you are now?

I really got into Biology in college. I went to a teaching school so most of the students were planning to go to med school. I was one of the only ones interested in research. I got an internship in a plant lab cloning chloroplast DNA. This is where I realized I really wanted a PHD and to be a PI. When I graduated I had an internship in immunology lab. I got a job as a QC microbiologist to save up money for grad school. But I didn’t really feel like I was using my brain enough. Then, I got into a PHD program in 2020. Academia is no joke. I didn’t feel supported in the lab I was in and so I left with my MS in 2024 and shortly after got a job at Fujifilm Irvine Scientific which allows me to apply my research skills in an industry atmosphere.

We’re also curious to know your personal story and upbringing. What has made you “you”?

I’ve always been really creative. My entire life -until I got my Bio degree- I was pursuing creative pathways. I wanted to be an author, fashion designer, actress, etc. but being in Science doesn’t mean I can’t be creative. In fact I actually tend to think more out of the box, and problem solve in ways that other scientists wouldn’t think of.

“Being in Science doesn’t mean I can’t be creative. In fact I actually tend to think more out of the box…”

We know that real life isn’t a smooth and linear journey. What was your initiating moment that led you to your calling - can you tell us about that moment, what helped you move forward, what you learned/discovered?

When I was deciding to leave my PHD program I really struggled. It was the heartache of giving up this dream that I had had for myself for almost 10 yrs. But being in a really toxic atmosphere was killing me mentally and physically. At the end of the day I had accomplished so much in that program- I gave a poster presentation, I got through quals, I won a fellowship grant, learned how to manage a project- that I realized I didn’t need to keep hurting my body to do amazing things. When I interviewed at FISI the employees were happy. That was a complete 180 from academia. They were laughing and so welcoming that I just knew this was the place for me to heal and grow.

You’re a working woman in a performance-driven industry. Where do you find balance?

My job is actually very strict at work life balance. Most people only work 8 hours and if they need to work extra it isn’t a regular thing. No working on the weekends. And they have so many programs that help you regulate your mental health, physical health, sleep schedule etc. They’re very big on happy employees.

If you were a scientific process or phenomenon, what would you be?

In regards to processes, I actually named my dog after my favorite enzyme Topoisomerase. Topo runs along the double helix in spots near replication bubbles. When the helix gets too tight/stressed in spots around the double helix, it nicks nucleotides to relieve the stress. And dogs are known stress relievers for humans. Little play on words. I would also be a Topoisomerase enzyme.