When Conrad Cruz ’19 walks through Rochester’s skyways, he sees more than glass, steel and a view of downtown. For him, the bridges connect two seasons of his life: his days as a University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) undergraduate student and his current role as a senior research technologist at Mayo Clinic.
“The skyways serve as a reminder of why I’m here and what I’m doing,” Cruz says. “Now I’m one of those professionals; I’m doing the research and unique computational work.”
Cruz’s journey to this point has been shaped by persistence, curiosity and a willingness to embrace a range of educational and employment opportunities. A graduate of Blaine High School, he began his studies at a community college before transferring to UMR. The transfer process was smooth, thanks in part to support from his student success coach, Jennifer Hooke. Cruz earned his bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences in 2019 and, as with many students, it took time and experimentation to find the field of study that was right for him.
Initially, Cruz thought he would pursue pathology. Then, he shadowed a pathology assistant and discovered he didn’t enjoy the work. “I passed out from the formaldehyde in the lab because I didn’t like all the tissue,” he says with a smile. That experience, though challenging at the time, taught him to stay open and to keep searching.
Reflecting on what he’d say to incoming students to UMR, Cruz advises, “It’s okay not to know what you specifically want to do. Imagine your path having a lot of branches. Having an open mindset as opposed to feeling that you need to figure it out does definitely alleviate a lot of pressure.”
UMR provided the foundation that helped Cruz take full advantage of the opportunities that have come his way since graduating. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program gave him the educational background he needed to understand molecular biology, genetics and anatomy. Just as importantly, it cultivated the habits of mind necessary for research. “UMR taught me critical thinking and analysis skills required to navigate the field of research,” he explains. “And it taught me resilience when things don’t go as expected: an experiment fails, the outcome isn’t what you thought it would be or you’re stuck navigating the unknown. UMR taught me to be okay with that.”
Cruz also points to UMR’s smaller class sizes, close connections with faculty and supportive coaches as factors that made a lasting difference. His Capstone experience even opened the door to his first job after graduation. Looking back, he’s grateful for the way UMR prepared him not only academically, but also personally.
Today, Cruz works full time in Dr. Peter Harris’ lab at Mayo Clinic focusing on autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The research feels especially meaningful because of its direct connection to patients. His team studies the disease genetically, sometimes identifying disease-causing variants that prompt family members to pursue clinical diagnosis and care. “I think the translational research we do is probably the most rewarding thing I deal with as a senior research technologist in Dr. Harris’ lab,” Cruz explains. It’s work, he says, that can have an immediate impact on patients and families.
At the same time, Cruz is deepening his expertise through graduate studies. In the spring of 2025, he began UMR’s Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BICB) master’s program, balancing coursework with his fulltime role at Mayo Clinic. For him, the combination is energizing. “Personally I’ve always liked to continue to learn through natural curiosity and always liking to stay informed on topics that interest me,” he says. “With bioinformatics specifically, I do enjoy the fact I can combine both my fascination with biology and computers together, and I find that knowing how to do both well has led to interesting projects and new ways to tackle research questions.”
Balancing graduate studies with full-time research keeps Cruz busy. A lifelong learner, he thrives on the blend of curiosity, biology and computational problem-solving that bioinformatics offers. As he looks ahead, he does so with openness and persistence, the same qualities that carried him through UMR and into his current role. Walking through the skyways of downtown Rochester, Cruz is reminded daily of the bridges he has already crossed and the possibilities still ahead.
Written by Emily Carson
Read more stories from the Fall 2025 Alumni Magazine: The Kettle.