Student Experience
Life Beyond the Redwoods: Danny Cruz at University of Michigan Medicine
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Danny Cruz (Porter ’24, biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics) is a Cellular and Molecular Biology Ph.D. Student at University of Michigan Medicine.
Danny Cruz (Porter ’24, biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics)
For Danny Cruz (Porter ’24, biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics), science is more than a career path—it’s a way to uplift his community and honor the values instilled by his family. Just one year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, he’s now pursuing a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology at University of Michigan Medicine, where he continues to build on the foundation of research, resilience, and purpose he developed as an undergraduate.
As a Ph.D. student, Cruz spends his days attending classes, conducting lab work, participating in talks and events, and exploring a wide range of scientific topics. His favorite part of the experience is being immersed in a diverse scientific community, surrounded by people from around the world who share a passion for discovery.
Looking back on his undergraduate education, Cruz credits UC Santa Cruz with helping to shape his path.
“UC Santa Cruz helped me gain exposure to science through a variety of research experiences while introducing me to a community that continues to support me to this day,” Cruz said.
At UC Santa Cruz, Danny Cruz found both community and opportunity through programs like the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, and STEM Diversity programs like the MARC fellowship. As part of the 2023 international Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team, he collaborated with fellow students on a project addressing algal blooms in Watsonville, which they presented at the Paris Grand Jamboree—earning a gold medal. Along the way, Cruz developed valuable skills in research, communication, and networking, and credits his first scientific mentor, Valerie Cortez, and the support of STEM Diversity with encouraging him to apply to graduate school
Cruz draws inspiration from his parents, who instilled in him a deep appreciation for the value of education.
“My parents are farmworkers and have always pushed the value of a traditional education,” Cruz said. “My education is simultaneously a love letter to my parents and a tool for revolutionary change. With higher education, I can help with yet-to-be-understood knowledge about biology to meet the critical needs of communities like mine. My role is one that is just as much about serving my community as it is serving the scientific world.”
Looking forward in his career, Cruz wants to be a research & development scientist for a biomedical organization and wants to make a direct impact on the tools available for his community.
Explore where the Class of 2024 is now. Discover the top employers hiring our alumni, the leading graduate schools admitting them, and first-hand accounts of their journeys.