Dr. Carolina Ramôa (Col class of ’06, Grad class of ’11, class of ’13)
Supervisory Pharmacologist
Office of Science
Center for Tobacco Products
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Carolina Ramôa, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist with experience in national and international regulatory health science and in clinical and pre-clinical pharmacology. Dr. Ramôa completed her B.S. in biology and cognitive sciences, and her M.S. and Ph.D. in neuroscience at the University of Virginia. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical pharmacology and regulatory science at Virginia Commonwealth University, during which she also worked at the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Tobacco Free Initiative.
She currently works at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Center for Tobacco Products as a Supervisory Pharmacologist. In this role, she leads a team of Ph.D.-level health scientists and pharmacologists who scientifically evaluate tobacco products and contribute to U.S. marketing decisions, conduct research on tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and waterpipe/hookah, and support tobacco product standards and public health policy.
Dr. Ramôa also volunteers as board chair for a science education non-profit called Science Delivered, which aims to make science fun and promote love for science by providing hands-on, in class science labs for elementary school students.
What inspired you to pursue a Ph.D., and how did your background or personal experiences influence your journey?
My family, especially my father, played a central role in my decision to pursue a Ph.D. Growing up, I deeply admired him. He overcame significant social and economic barriers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and earned an M.D. from Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro and ultimate made it to UC Berkeley and completed a Ph.D. Watching his journey taught me that curiosity, determination, and education could fundamentally change someone’s trajectory. Simultaneously, my mother provided structure and daily support and a strong belief that education is the great societal equalizer.
On a personal level, I have always loved learning. I’m endlessly curious and, admittedly, a bit of a masochist when it comes to intellectual challenges. I enjoy pushing myself to my limits. I knew early on that the kind of work I wanted to do in science required a terminal degree, but beyond the credential, I wanted to prove to myself that I could pursue knowledge as far as possible. The Ph.D. represented both opportunity and a personal test, and I felt compelled to take it on.
Can you share a pivotal moment or lesson that significantly shaped your professional or academic success?
A defining moment came during the most difficult stretch of my Ph.D. in the final two years. I reached a point where I either had to commit myself completely or risk failure. That challenge forced me to adopt a level of focus, discipline, and resilience I had never tapped into before. I became wholly immersed in my work – every experiment, every dataset, every paper draft. It wasn’t always healthy or balanced, but it taught me an important lesson: deep, sustained commitment can transform what feels impossible into something achievable. That lesson has shaped how I approach every major challenge in my career.
What does being part of the Latino/e community mean to you, and how has it influenced your academic or professional career?
I bring my community with me to work every day: its values, its resilience, and its perspective. In public health, especially at the national policy level, diverse viewpoints are not just beneficial, they are essential. My background gives me a lived understanding of how scientific decisions affect real people and communities, particularly vulnerable populations. At the FDA, this perspective helps me approach scientific evaluations with a broader awareness of real-world applications.
Who or what has been a major source of inspiration or mentorship for you, and why?
In my early life, my father was my greatest mentor. He guided me intellectually, instilled confidence, and modeled what it meant to work hard and stay true to your curiosity. After his passing in 2005, he became more than a mentor, he became an enduring source of inspiration. His story, his sacrifices, and his and my mother’s belief in the power of education continue to motivate me in every stage of my academic and professional life.
What are some key challenges you’ve faced as a doctorate student, and how did you navigate them?
Completing a Ph.D. was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. At UVA, the expectations were extremely high; the program pushes you to excellence in ways that are both intellectually demanding and personally transformative. I had to learn to extend myself far beyond what I thought was possible – mastering complex study design and laboratory techniques, developing sharper critical thinking skills, and writing with both speed and scientific sophistication. This period also strengthened my ability to create high-quality slide decks and deliver polished, professional presentations. This is also the period I believed I had learned how to write, a belief that was quickly vanquished when I began my post-doctoral fellowship, and again when I began my work at the FDA. Each educational and career step pushed me to recognize how much more I had to learn, and help me further refine those skill sets.
To navigate these challenges, I had to cultivate perseverance and adaptability. I learned to embrace failure as part of the scientific process, to rely on peers and mentors when I needed support, and to trust that incremental progress would eventually lead to breakthroughs.
How have you built and maintained meaningful connections within your academic, professional, or community networks?
I’ve built my network through intentional, genuine engagement across several spaces. Academic conferences have been one of the best avenues for meeting collaborators, finding future opportunities, and staying connected with developments in my field. I’ve also formed lasting friendships with colleagues and mentors throughout my training and career. These relationships have greatly supported me both personally and professionally.
Social media platforms like LinkedIn have helped me maintain these connections and create new ones, especially across institutions and disciplines. I make an effort to stay involved, share updates, and cheer on the successes of others. These relationships have been invaluable.
What role does community engagement or giving back play in your life today?
Community engagement is something I truly value, especially when it comes to science education. I volunteer with a science education nonprofit because I believe that cultivating curiosity early in life can change a child’s future. I was fortunate to grow up in a family where curiosity was encouraged. I received my first microscope at five, and the moment I looked through it and saw an entirely new world, I was hooked. I want other children, especially those from underrepresented communities, to have access to that same spark. Giving back through education is my way of paying forward the opportunities I had.
What advice would you offer to current UVA students or young professionals who aspire to study a Ph.D.?
My biggest piece of advice is to gain as much research experience as possible before starting a Ph.D. Learn by doing. Volunteer in a laboratory, talk to professors, and apply to summer or post-baccalaureate research programs. The more exposure you have early on, the better prepared you’ll be for the intensity, independence, and perseverance that doctoral training requires. Understanding the day-to-day work of research will also help you choose the right program, the right mentor, and ultimately the right path for your goals.
Whatever stage you’re in – high school, undergraduate, or early career – seek out hands-on opportunities. When I was in high school, I cold-emailed laboratories asking for summer work. I washed flasks, sliced rat brains, and mixed solutions. Those experiences taught me not only basic lab skills, but also what research really looks like behind the scenes. They confirmed that science was the right path for me.
Just as important as experience is mentorship. Find someone who can guide you, help you navigate academic systems, and champion your success. This person does not have to be your Ph.D. advisor; they can be a faculty member from your undergraduate years, a supervisor from a summer program, or anyone who genuinely invests in your growth. Having a strong advocate on your committee or in your network can make a profound difference during your doctoral journey.