Graduating Senior Spotlight: Mariana Fauteux
By: TAMU Biology
Meet Mariana, her fascination with life’s complexities and the human impact of science led her to study at Texas A&M University. Her favorite experience was taking computational genomics and digital biology with Dr. Aramayo, which sparked her interest in leveraging technology to uncover biological secrets and solve evolutionary puzzles.
What inspired you to study Biology at Texas A&M?
I’ve always been fascinated by life’s complexities and how everything connects back to our DNA. I believe science isn’t just technical; it’s about human impact. That human connection is what drew me to biology and keeps me excited about where it can lead. Majoring in Genetics and minoring in Bioinformatics has allowed me to explore the science and the story behind our biology.
What has been your favorite biology class or lab experience, and why?
One of my favorite experiences was taking computational genomics and digital biology with Dr. Aramayo. These classes taught me how to use command-line and computational tools to uncover biological secrets hidden in large datasets. It was exciting to apply these tools to explore evolutionary patterns and solve biological puzzles. This experience really sparked my interest in how we can leverage technology to deepen our understanding of biology and its complexities.
Tell us about a research project, internship, or student org that made a big impact on your time here.
My research in Dr. Aramayo’s lab has been a huge part of my college experience. I had the chance to present my work at poster symposiums and author a thesis, which really helped me grow as a scientist and communicator. Outside of the lab, I’ve also been really involved in club tennis. It gave me a great community on campus and a way to stay active, travel for tournaments, and balance the intensity of academics with something I genuinely love.
What’s the most surprising or coolest thing you learned as a science major?
One of the coolest things I’ve learned in my research work is that some proteins are ultra-conserved across millions of years and across all 26 primates we studied. It made me realize just how much of our biology is ancient and shared. There’s still so much we don’t know about why those sequences never change, and that mystery is what keeps me curious.
Who has been your biggest mentor or source of support at TAMU?
Dr. Aramayo has been an incredibly supportive mentor throughout my time at Texas A&M. His guidance has been essential in shaping my growth as a researcher. He encouraged me to take ownership of my projects, navigate challenges independently, and approach my work with confidence. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunities he provided for me to develop both scientifically and professionally.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m planning to work as a Genetic Counseling Assistant while I apply to graduate programs in genetic counseling. Long term, I want to work in clinical genomics, where I can combine my love for genetics, patient advocacy, and data analysis to help families navigate some of the most important decisions in their lives.
What advice would you give to new students?
It’s totally okay not to have everything figured out right away. Stay open to discovering new interests because sometimes the unexpected paths end up being the most meaningful. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Professors, advisors, and classmates are all part of your support system, and leaning on your community makes a big difference.
What Aggie tradition or memory will you treasure most?
Definitely Aggie Ring Day. It was such a proud and emotional moment not just because of the ring itself, but because it symbolized all the hard work I’ve put in to get here. Celebrating that milestone with my family and friends is a memory I’ll always treasure.
