Alumnus Spotlight: Gabe Ruggiero

I graduated from the MLS program at UC in the summer of 2024. Growing up I always loved chemistry and physics, but my interest in laboratory sciences was piqued by my uncle who worked in the field. After finishing school in Curaçao, I knew I wanted to study this field in the U.S. I ultimately chose to study at UC because of how well the program was regarded. It was the best choice I could have made for my education.

I entered the program in 2020. During school, I worked as a laboratory assistant in the HLA Lab at Hoxworth. Although it was not easy to work while being a full-time student, the support I received from the program and my professors allowed me to balance my work and studies. I was able to graduate summa cum laude, all while gaining the practical experience needed to pursue a career after school. I have nothing but good things to say about the MLS program — it prepared me better than anything else could have. I am very grateful to say that I graduated from this program. Without it, I would not be working at a lab at one of the most esteemed hospitals in the country.

Currently, I am a Medical Laboratory Scientist in the HLA Laboratory at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. In the lab, we complete testing for organ transplants to ensure compatibility between donors and patients. It is highly important to prevent rejection of organs. My job is highly rewarding, and I love that I get to participate in life-saving procedures, even if it’s behind the scenes. I can attribute my interest in this branch of laboratory sciences to my time in school and my work experience. The MLS program at UC prepared me for the complexities of lab work and high-performance requirements of a hospital like Mayo Clinic.

Traveling so far from home as an international student was hard. My family was far away, and I was starting over. When things were tough, I would tell myself, “You came all this way to study. You can't quit now.” There was a lot at stake coming to the U.S. for school. I wanted to be the best I could be and prove myself in the program. I took myself and my education seriously from the beginning, and I think that mindset was important. The MLS program was challenging but rewarding. There were days when the studies were intense, but the finish line was just around the corner. I would not have been able to do it without support from my family, professors, and the MLS program itself.

My favorite memory of the program was graduation day. Walking across the stage after all my hard work and sacrifices, and celebrating with my classmates and faculty, was a great feeling. The best part was meeting up with my wife, mom, dad, and brother at the end of the ceremony and seeing how proud of me they were. It meant the world to me to have so much support and to be able to celebrate being a first-generation college graduate.