Sylvia Quintero, a UTRGV Unsung Hero

Meet Sylvia Quintero, a UTRGV Unsung Hero

Text by Steven Masso, student staff writer
Photos by Monika Martinez, student staff photographer: 
https://utrgv-umc.photoshelter.com/galleries/C00005VpyHfz6R6c/G00002k_26oLLV8w/20180801-Unsung-Hero-Syliva-Quintero

The climb up and down the stairs in the UTRGV Life and Health Sciences Biology Wing on the Brownsville Campus can be a challenge. “There are times when I go up and down these steps five times in a span of 15 minutes,” says Sylvia Quintero, lab coordinator for the building.

Quintero is responsible for making sure every class has what it needs in the lab.

She also has multiple sclerosis.

Diagnosed five years ago, Quintero said she for a time had numbness in one leg, but when she started eating properly and taking care of herself better, it went away. You would never know Quintero has health challenges, to watch her scaling those steps repeatedly and walking briskly up and down the long hallway to make sure things go smoothly.

Another part of her domain, the inventory room in the biology wing, is filled floor to ceiling with chemicals and supplies. To the average visitor, the sheer amount of inventory and all the necessary labels with medical terminology may seem intimidating. For Quintero, it’s just part of a job she loves.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT UTRGV?

I am the laboratory coordinator supervisor for the Biology Department on the Brownsville Campus.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED HERE?

This is my 10th year with the university. I started as a part-time lab assistant in Dr. Oliva’s microbiology lab in 2008 when I was a junior. Over the years, I moved up to a full-time lab assistant, and then to laboratory coordinator.

DESCRIBE YOUR AVERAGE DAY

I usually start my day at 6:15 a.m., when my 1-year-old daughter wakes up. She is usually up before my alarms. My husband and I get ready and drop our 5-year-old off at school and our daughter at her grandmas. When I get to work, I walk down the long hallway, making sure to turn on any lights along the way. Since our building is one hallway with very few windows, the mornings tend to get pretty dark. I think it’s best to brighten it up as much as possible.

Once I get to my office, I turn on my computer and step back out to do my “rounds,” which means walking by all of the labs that are in session and checking that everything is running smoothly. My staff and I stop by every lab as they are ending, too, to check up on the cleanliness of the lab. That way, it’s ready for the next group of students who come in just 10 minutes later.

Some days, I work on scheduling for the labs, or ordering supplies. Other days, I’m running up and down stairs between labs, troubleshooting laptops or experiments that are not working that day.

I usually leave by 5:30 p.m., but the job continues. There are times when I will assist evening lab instructors via phone or text. Sometimes, they call me on the phone and I try to walk them through locating things in the prep room. It’s floor-to-ceiling in there with stuff, so it can be challenging.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?

My favorite part has to be the relationships that have been built between faculty and staff. We are like a big family. Over the years, we have seen a number of our student lab assistants move on to medical, dental and pharmacy school, and into the workforce as science teachers. The atmosphere that we have created is one that encourages growth and teamwork.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY, OR STORY, ABOUT YOUR TIME HERE?

There are many, but one that stands out is the abundance of fresh organic produce and healthy treats that are brought to me. It may sound a bit weird, but after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about five years ago, the students and faculty took notice to my lifestyle change of eating cleaner and healthier. It helps me keep my symptoms at bay. They will bring me food from their own gardens or kitchens. I have become like a sister or daughter to some, and I am appreciative of their care.

TELL US SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU

I was a very shy kid up until college. I was very reserved and not very outgoing. But with my job, there’s no room to be shy, when you are in contact with students and faculty every day.

DO YOU FEEL A SPECIAL BOND WITH THE UTRGV COMMUNITY?

I most definitely do. I am fortunate to still be here and that I have developed all the relationships I have. Not all workspaces are like this, and for that, I am fortunate. The students are amazing. I get to talk to them often, especially on the first day of class, when they are lost. I try to help them as much as I can. And all of our lab staff is made up of students.

I Am UTRGV