Camila Bodden Shares Student Experience
Camila Bodden is a senior on the 2022 women's soccer team who plans to return for a final season in 2023 as a graduate student.
Camila is studying biology with a minor in Hispanic Studies and is pursuing an integrated master's degree in biomedical engineering.
Camila, a San Francisco, California native, was recently asked to share thoughts on her collegiate soccer experience and life as a CMU student-athlete.
What would you like to share about how your Tartan women's soccer career has helped shape your college academic experience?
Being on the soccer team has surrounded me with people who expect the best from each other. It's been a privilege to play for a team that is constantly pushing to be better. I've also found that being a student-athlete at CMU has proven that I can dedicate my time to more than just one thing. I've put so much into academics, athletics, and research without feeling like I was wasting time or missing out on opportunities.
What has been a memorable women's soccer experience? What do you think you'll miss once you graduate?
Even though every NCAA tournament has been an incredible experience, my freshman year tournament was by far the most memorable. Advancing to the Final Four in 2019 was unforgettable. When I graduate, I'm going to miss the team chemistry more than anything. I thought our team this past fall connected really well and it was so much fun to be a part of. Now that we have more time during the spring season, I've spent nearly every day getting coffee or lunch or studying with a teammate and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I really love this team so I'm just looking forward to getting to play with them for another season. As always, our goal is a National Championship!
What student-athlete exposure have you taken advantage of during your college experience?
I've been able to participate in a variety of developmental programs as a student-athlete. Most recently, I've attended some of the leadership seminars, including the TLT Leadership Symposium with Buddy Hobart. I also took advantage of the Tartan2Professional program my freshman year.
What classes do you believe have contributed to your academic development the most - in major and outside of your major?
My two favorite classes that I've taken at CMU have been Cell Biology and Biochemistry Lab. Cell Biology introduced me to the most important cellular mechanisms, which turned out to be my favorite subject in biology. In Biochemistry Lab, I was able to use molecular techniques to do experiments that turned out to be very relevant to work that I ended up doing over the summer.
What have you learned about yourself going through a season-ending injury and returning the following year?
In the beginning of my junior season, I tore my ACL and meniscus in my left knee. Going through any injury can be heartbreaking, but I was also relieved. Though there was a very real possibility that I could end my career at that moment, the realization that I wanted to push through recovery and get back on the field solidified my love for my sport and my team. I gained an appreciation that I may not have had otherwise. Still sucked though.
How did the sports performance team of Sal Vallejo and Alan DeGennaro help you through your journey?
Having the support of Sal and Alan was crucial to my recovery. I spent a lot of time in the weight room with Alan to strengthen my quad before surgery. Sal guided me through the entire process from the day I tore my ACL (and honestly he still is). He was constantly talking me through timelines and milestones, but he also made sure that I was pushing myself to keep my recovery on the right track. I really would not have felt comfortable getting back on the field without his guidance.
Did you have an internship that helped shape your future?
Last summer, I was fortunate enough to earn a summer research position at Harvard through the Leadership Alliance. I was placed in the Molecules, Cells, and Organisms Department in Dr. Andrew Murray's yeast genetics lab working under PhD candidate Alexa Pérez-Torres. I had taken several lab courses before, but I wanted to get a feel for whether I would enjoy independent research. I was grateful that I had the opportunity to discover that I truly enjoy benchwork and am looking forward to pursuing graduate school with that experience under my belt.