We sat down with The Lundquist Institute’s PhD program graduates, Abdullah Alqarihi, PhD and Prudencio Merino, PhD, to reflect on their journeys through the Institute’s pioneering Graduate Program. From the challenges of research and self-doubt to moments of discovery and mentorship, they share insights that shaped their paths—and their futures beyond the lab.
In a nutshell, what made you pursue the PhD Program at The Lundquist Institute?
Abdullah: I came as a master’s student from California State University, Dominguez Hills, where Dr. Ashraf Ibrahim was my mentor. After fulfilling my theses, Dr. Ibrahim offered me a position as a technician in his lab. Around 2016-2017, discussions about starting a PhD program at TLI began, and Dr. Ibrahim encouraged me to apply.
I’ve always wanted to be a doctor and practice medicine, an MD, but life led me to pursue a PhD instead. I also earned my undergraduate degree in microbiology and my master’s in molecular biology, so a PhD in infectious disease research felt like the natural next step.
The opportunity, the timing, and the high level of research happening at TLI made it an easy decision — the work was top-notch, and I wanted to keep contributing to that.
Abdullah Alqarihi, PhD
Prudencio: I’ve always been drawn to infectious diseases. Since I was a kid, I’ve been curious about what makes people sick and how to stay safe — that curiosity never left me. TLI’s focus perfectly aligns with what I wanted to pursue. I thought I’d go into drug discovery and development, but I ended up focusing on clinical research. This fits within my broader goal of not only obtaining a PhD, but also advancing science and education to improve health.
How did you learn about The Lundquist Institute back then?
Abdullah: I learned about it through my academic counselor at Dominguez Hills. At the time, I had just come from Saudi Arabia with my undergraduate degree, so I was still learning how things worked here. My counselor connected me with one of the principal investigators, Dr. Ashraf S. Ibrahim, and that’s how it started. Dr. Ibrahim explained the work his lab does and the impact it’s making in the field. I fell in love with it and started working in his lab the following week. When I began attending conferences, I realized just how well-known our infectious disease investigators are. People would recognize names like Dr. Ibrahim, Dr. Scott, Dr. Edwards, and Dr. Miller right away — that’s when it really hit me how lucky I was to be part of this place.
Prudencio: I also came from Dominguez Hills, where I majored in biochemistry. I’d always aimed to enter a PhD program. One of my lab mates at Cal Poly Pomona told me about The Lundquist Institute’s (formerly LA BioMed) new program. I called to ask about the program and funny enough, Dr. Ibrahim himself answered the phone, so it’s likely I called his office — he thought I was calling for a job! After I explained my interest, he encouraged me to apply to the PhD program. The more I learned about the program and its infectious disease research, the more I knew it aligned with my goals. It was the right fit at the right time.
In a nutshell, tell us who you are and what is it that you do outside of the PhD program.
Abdullah: I’m originally from Saudi Arabia and came to the U.S. on a scholarship to earn my master’s degree. At first, I was completely focused on school and didn’t think much beyond that. Once I joined the PhD program, I started thinking more about long-term opportunities. In 2023, I met my wife, which made me realize this is where I want to build my future. Now, I work in TLI’s Business Development and Technology Transfer office. It’s fulfilling to use my scientific background to help translate research into real-world applications.
Outside of work, I’m passionate about cycling – I got into it big time. I’ve completed 100-mile rides known in the cycling community as a “century ride,” while proudly wearing The Lundquist Institute jersey and representing the Institute.
Prudencio: When I first met Abdullah, I felt familiarity and connection as we both come from immigrant backgrounds. I’m originally from Mexico, but I completed all my grade school years here in the U.S. When I started pursuing higher education, I was told that opportunities were limited for me. That motivated me to get involved in higher education advocacy and politics — something I’ve been doing for over 10 years now.
I’m also a big outdoors person and an avid runner. I’ve completed marathons in San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, and my goal is to run in all the major cities. In recent years, my priorities shifted a bit after my father had a stroke. That experience made me focus more on caregiving and family, and it reminded me how valuable balance and purpose are — both in research and in life.
Can you describe a moment during the program when everything “clicked,” an A-HA moment, or when you had a big breakthrough?
Prudencio: For me, it was when I fully understood my project and learning the necessary skills to complete it — this was the A-HA moment for me. Beyond that, becoming more involved in the program — connecting with Abdullah and the other students, participating in conferences, and representing our PhD — made me realize I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Abdullah: I remember attending conferences in 2018 and 2019. I felt it was my job to let people know who we were as not many recognized us. That really motivated me to spread the word about TLI wherever I went — cycling events, STEM nights, high school outreach, and poster competitions. Being a PhD student isn’t just doing research, it’s also about representing your institution and showing the world the impact we make.
Was there ever a moment you wanted to completely change your research direction?
Abdullah: Absolutely — there were plenty of moments of self-doubt. I’d think, “Is this really for me? Can I actually do this? Am I even in the right place?” I remember hitting a point in my research when I told myself, “that’s it, I’m done. I’ll just go work at Starbucks.” I was serious about it too! But Dr. Ibrahim looked at me and said, “You’ve been published. You’ve contributed to more than 20 papers. Why are you even saying this? I don’t want to hear it.” That snapped me out of it — his words really kept me going.
I also remembered why I started in the first place. Back in my master’s program, our lab worked on an experimental drug that eventually received FDA approval. Seeing that happen and knowing our preclinical work helped make it possible brought all the motivation back.
Prudencio: I agree, self-doubt is normal, and we wonder what we’re capable of doing. The workload can be overwhelming, and progress often feels slow. But sometimes, it just takes a moment to realize, “hey, I actually kind of like the work I’m doing.” For me, the pandemic was a turning point. During COVID, labs were partially closed, and I wondered whether I should pivot fields. Ultimately, I stayed the course.
Even though I shifted from drug discovery and development to clinical research, I gained the skills and perspective I needed. It’s all part of the process, and I ultimately got the opportunity to learn from some of the best researchers at TLI.
Prudencio Merino, PhD
What’s one thing you know now that you wish you would have known before starting the program?
Abdullah: That it’s hard — really hard. The commitment is huge. Your PhD becomes part of a larger research effort, and sometimes that means late nights and weekends in the lab. Your project can involve never-ending issues and hurdles. You can’t easily plan weekends or vacations well in advance because you never know what could happen. Your project comes first. It really is about balancing taking care of yourself and your research project. I also started to really appreciate my weekends.
Prudencio: Every project is different, but I already knew what I’ve signed up for. During my master’s, some experiments didn’t go as planned and timelines kept getting prolonged. I realized you really can’t fully control your experiments – they can go in different directions. What I also didn’t realize was how important it is to build professional connections. Networking within and outside the Institute is crucial — not just for opportunities, but for learning and growth. If I could go back, I’d be more intentional about that.
What role did mentorship or peer support play in your experience?
Abdullah: Big time. Dr. Ibrahim opened so many doors for me — fellowships, conferences, and leadership opportunities. Because of his mentorship, I received the American Society for Microbiology’s Future Leaders Mentorship Fellowship (FLMF) and The Binkley Scholarship, which were big achievements for me.
One of my most meaningful moments was when our lab’s research directly helped a patient. Harbor-UCLA Medical Center contacted Dr. Ibrahim about a patient they suspected had mucormycosis. Based on our previous work in the field, he offered to test the patient’s sample using a well-established diagnostic method from our lab to identify the strain causing the infection. He then suggested a treatment approach that ended up saving the patient’s life. Harbor-UCLA later invited our lab to be part of a case study to share how our findings made a difference. That’s when it really clicked for me — what “translational research” truly means: science that reaches and impacts patients.
Prudencio: Dr. Loren Miller was incredibly supportive. He encouraged me to present my work — to submit abstracts, attend conferences, and represent our lab – sometimes with the group, and sometimes by myself. Those experiences boosted my confidence and helped me see myself as a professional scientist. Mentorship truly makes the difference.
How do you see the work you’ve done during the PhD shaping your career and passions?
Abdullah: It’s changed the way I think. Now I analyze everything, from problems, ideas, and even everyday conversations, through a scientific lens. I find myself breaking things down logically and systematically. The PhD trained me to think critically in every aspect of life.
Prudencio: Same here. It changes how you process information and solve problems. You become more creative and analytical.
Abdullah: And it even affects how you write or communicate. When I text or write, I naturally start with context, background, and logic — like I’m writing a paper.
If you could give future PhD students one piece of advice, what would it be?
Abdullah: Believe in yourself, your mentor, and the process. No one in research wants to see you fail — everyone wants to succeed together. There will be tough moments, but trust your mentor’s vision and stay the course. If you commit to learning, there’s nothing you can’t do. Everything is teachable. I’ve learned that trust and perseverance are key.
Prudencio: Don’t hold yourself back. If someone else can do it, so can you. And be proactive about building connections — both inside and outside your program. You’re closer than you think to being a professional in your field, so start putting yourself out there. Take the opportunities, share your work, and advocate for yourself.
Now that you’ve completed the program, what’s next? What are you most excited about?
Abdullah: I’m currently working at TLI’s Business Development and Technology Transfer office, using my scientific training to support innovation and partnerships. The Institute has given me so much, and now I want to give back.
Prudencio: I currently teach biology at the community college where I started my higher education, which feels full circle. Teaching allows me to share the knowledge I have acquired throughout the years, just as my mentors shared theirs and inspired me. Long term, I’d love to continue working with communities, sharing scientific knowledge, and supporting educational access.