Beyond Cancer Spotlight: Kimberly Castellanos

Kimberly Castellanos (She/Her/Ella) is the Program Coordinator, Training & Education at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Read on to learn more about her story. 

1. What are your career/research interests?

As the Program Coordinator for Cancer Research Training & Education Coordination (CRTEC) initiatives at the CFCCC, I am passionate about designing experiential learning opportunities that foster self-awareness and support personal and professional growth. My wish is for everyone to live out their purpose intentionally and through a lens of growth and service. Currently, I’m doing my part in fostering this within the realm of cancer research and oncology focused clinical training.

2. How did your early life experiences shape your education and career choices?

I was always a curious and imaginative kid - excelling at school, asking lots of questions, and absorbing as many books as I could. I’m grateful to have had supportive parents and exceptional teachers in the Inland Empire who encouraged me to leverage different opportunities for my academic development. I am the product of intentional programming/activities throughout my childhood (e.g. GATE, AVID, science fair competitions, etc.) which led me to my undergraduate degree and constantly seeking experiential learning in my adulthood (e.g., TESOL certification, Allyship training, continuing education courses, etc.). I know first-hand what kind of impact programs can have on someone's life and this has inspired me to lead my own programs. As a forever learner, I crave environments where people ask critical questions and take action on ideas that can drive meaningful change. This energy is contagious, motivates me, and is one of the reasons I genuinely enjoy working with faculty, staff, and trainees at the CFCCC.

3. What brought you to UCI?

My undergraduate career did! I came to UCI at 18. Staying in contact with my network has brought me back to work at UCI in between my stints abroad.

4. How did you connect with others to build your own sense of community and belonging at work?

I’m a chatty person and an includer by nature. It’s important to me that all feel seen and valued. To do that, I rely heavily on kindness, light-heartedness, and lessons from my cultural upbringing (e.g., connecting over food and laughs) to connect with others and explore our commonalities and differences. Sometimes this looks like me taking a few minutes out of a Zoom meeting to really learn about someone’s day or interests (even if it’s cutting into the agenda), bringing snacks/coffee/tea to show my colleagues I care, treating someone out to lunch, or sharing a funny GIF on Microsoft Teams. With these small acts, I’m able to create bubbles of my own little communities wherever I go. It brings me a lot of joy.

5. What motivates you to serve your community and contribute to the CFCCC mission?

I’m intrinsically motivated by service and creating spaces for all to thrive and succeed. In my current role, I use my skills and expertise to listen to the training and education needs of our cancer center, improve what currently exists, expand access, and develop new programs to bridge the gaps. Through facilitating technical and experiential learning, I do my own programmatic version of discover, teach, and heal.

6. What challenges have you experienced in your professional journey?

Belonging has been a major challenge throughout my education and professional journey. Having grown up in Fontana up until I was thirteen, I grew up surrounded by people who faced similar socioeconomic challenges and looked and sounded like me and my neighbors. It wasn’t until I entered a predominantly white high school and was surrounded by peers of higher socioeconomic statuses that my belongingness was questioned by myself and others. Without proper tools or teachers to help me navigate my evolving environments, the imposter syndrome only got louder throughout college and every professional setting I advanced to thereafter. Luckily, through my own Equity, Diversity & Inclusion training, I was provided with the jargon, context, and tools to explore what contributes to inclusion and belonginess (and the lack thereof), what I can do to take charge of my own psychological safety, and how I can contribute to a more inclusive environment for all. Throughout my personal and professional journey, I’ve nurtured the skills and courage to take interpersonal and professional risks, create a safe space for myself and others, and lead with compassion and empathy. It’s been challenging and I’m constantly learning, but I’m enjoying the journey.

7. What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of an energy I bring to my personal and professional life, not a specific milestone. I’m extremely proud of my intrinsic motivation to learn, grow, and serve others. If these elements are missing in my life, you can guarantee that I will seek new opportunities to fulfill these needs…aka…I’m always seeking discomfort zones. Leading life with this energy has led to some beautiful life experiences and exponential growth. 

8. What are your interests/hobbies outside of work? 

Physical activities: yoga, Muay Thai, and long walks/hikes in nature

Creative activities: writing, journaling, passion planning, and reading

Eating: everything

Traveling: everywhere

Misc: All at once (jk). Family, friends, my dog, and finding new ways to nurture presence during my short stint on Earth in this body

9. What is a fun or random fact about you? 

I’ve traveled to 20 countries (and counting…) and lived in 4 countries (US, France, UK, and Thailand...and counting…). My longest living abroad experience has been in Thailand for a combined 2.5+ years, which has influenced some of my Buddhist ideals, allowed me to learn conversational Thai, introduced me to Muay Thai and yoga, and transformed my once nonexistent spice tolerance into an impressively high one (ped mak mak #iykyk).

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