Serving Through Science

Serving

SOMETIMES, PLANS CHANGE. SOMETIMES, YOU THROUGH Science ENTER COLLEGE KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP—AND THEN YOU LEAVE ON A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TRACK. “I’ve learned so much about how to help people,” she says. “I have At least that’s what happened to Jerlisa Arizala ‘04. no regrets about the track I took. I know there are groups that need help,

The Saipan native had always had her eyes on becoming a and I can help them through science.” pediatrician. Arizala is a cell biologist at Kite Pharma, a subsidiary company of

Her first step was to get into a good university. But Saipan is fairly Gilead Sciences, Inc., and couldn’t be happier. The research coming out isolated, and her parents didn’t want her to travel too far. of Gilead represents everything she stands for—she loves how they

Chaminade offered the perfect balance—a high-quality education want to give to the community and make sure everyone has access to that was relatively close to home, and an island lifestyle similar to the one drugs they need. Gilead Sciences is known for its antiviral drugs used to she was used to. When she visited, she fell in love with the atmosphere. treat HIV. They have also made the news for their promising COVID-19 She felt the academic presence, but knew it would be a place where the treatment that is currently undergoing clinical trials, Remdesivir. community would support her and offer help if she needed it. She also Arizala’s expertise lies in reengineering T cells, a type of lymphocyte, really liked the diversity she saw on campus. or white blood cell, to attack and kill cancer cells. It’s a developing

And her experience did not disappoint. treatment for certain types of lymphomas and leukemias, and her

“My college experience was one of the best experiences of my company was responsible for the first T cell lymphoma treatment product life,” says Arizala. “I think Chaminade was the perfect place to feel to be approved and released on the market. comfortable being yourself because it was such a big melting pot. Her work is something she holds very dear to her heart. It’s a source Everyone was so different and had an interesting background. It felt of pride, and she finds it very rewarding. “Working for Kite Pharma is a like everyone was accepted.” great way to make a direct impact on a cancer patient’s life,” she says. “I

One of the things that struck her right away was the diversity. help them have a better quality of life by allowing them to live longer and For the first time, she realized just how many ways there were to be an eradicate their cancer.” American. Arizala credits both Iwamoto and Chaminade for the impact she’s

“It stood out so much to me that there were a lot of students from had on others. If it weren’t for Iwamoto’s guidance, her educational path other U.S. Territories who were also American,” she remembers. “It was would have been very different. really nice to see all of the different definitions of American in one place. In fact, their relationship came full circle right around 2012 or 2013. It wasn’t what a typical mainland experience would have been like.“ She was finishing up her Ph.D. at City of Hope, a world-class cancer

She started Chaminade as a biology major on the pre-med track. hospital in Los Angeles. He was there as a lymphoma patient, receiving a That’s how she met biology professor Ron Iwamoto. Not only was he her transplant. advisor, but he also taught a few of her classes. He noticed right away “We had dinner together and he met my husband,” she recalls. “It was that she had a talent for writing. the last time I saw him in person.”

“As my professor, he was able to look at my strengths and Though they are in different states now, she still keeps in touch with communicate what those were to me,” recalls Arizala. “He told me I was her professor—he sends her updates of his grandchildren, and she sends a good writer, and I should pursue some sort of writing career. And he him updates about her children. He’s also served as a reference, and told me I could do that within academia.” helped her get into graduate school and get her first job.

It was through his guidance that she was inspired to pursue research Her time at Chaminade not only fostered her passion for science, but instead of medical school. She also decided to add on an English minor. it also taught her to recognize her strengths and embrace who she is. It provided a nice balance to the heavy biology classes, and it helped her “Going to a school that was very warm and friendly taught me to be develop her writing skills. that way with others,” says Arizala. “It taught me to be genuine and to

When she graduated in 2004, she went on to earn an M.S. in keep my morals.” Biological Science from California State University Los Angeles, and a As a female and as a minority in the sciences, that has come in Ph.D. in molecular biology and virology from City of Hope. handy. She recognizes the responsibility she has in paving the way for

Sometimes she still thinks about becoming a pediatrician, but she others and has been able to stay true to herself and always represent never follows through because she really likes where her path has led her. where she is from. She’s found that her ultimate goal was always to help people, and she “Chaminade prepared me to be a role model,” says Arizala. “Not only can do that through research. in building my passion in science, but also by building my character.”