Aguayo-Otero ’11
Vasti Aguayo-Otero, Ph.D., (Biology ’11) can say with the Apostle Paul: “My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). She had invested ten years of education and training in microbiology, and then assisted a hospital during the 2020 pandemic. But since experiencing increasing trouble with her eyesight, Vasti has stepped away from the workforce for a time. Regardless of physical limitations, she is ready for however God will use her next.
Rooted for Growth
Vasti’s passion for biology stemmed from her father’s infectious love for scientific knowledge. He also studied biology and worked for many years as an agricultural specialist. “Anything he learns details on, he wants to pass on,” Vasti explained. “Because of his reasoning out loud [about] things he learned and where to find flaws, I started having ‘aha’ moments, being curious, and asking questions.”
After she graduated from high school, Vasti knew she wanted to attend a college that provided structure and where God was front and center, keeping her from distractions. She chose Pensacola Christian College, and that fall, Vasti began as a double major in commercial art and biology. However, upon realizing that she wanted to graduate in four years, she dropped studying art. “Art still has a very close grip on my heart, but science made more sense to me, and I understood it better than many other subjects,” Vasti said. “God made the universe so intricately. Studying the realm of life as He created it matched my interests and seemed like it would mold me into a useful member of society.”
“You will always have challenges. Being rooted in Christ is imperative in this and any field.”
Vasti is thankful for her teachers at PCC investing in, challenging, and not giving up on her including Dr. Carlos Alvarez, Dr. Aresia Watson, and Dr. Sean Vinaja. Dr. Pierre Willems was one who built her confidence and reminded her that “all careers have their challenges, but anyone in science needs to be affirmed in Christ and always search to be as excellent as possible without doubting the potential and talent God has given you,” she had recalled him saying. “You will always have challenges. Being rooted in Christ is imperative in this and any field.”
Getting support and encouragement from people she admired was a blessing to Vasti. “The program at PCC instilled in me to always aim to be as excellent as I could at my tasks and to have the perspective that learning is continual,” she said. Looking back, one of the most valuable parts of her training at PCC includes using time wisely. “In work, I had multiple and sometimes coinciding deadlines. Time management was an enormous part of the skill set I needed to develop and perfect [in order] to work to the best of my ability in the hospital setting.”
Equipped to Assist
Since earning her bachelor’s degree and then a doctorate from the School of Medicine in Puerto Rico, Dr. Vasti Aguayo-Otero sought a laboratory director position in Indiana, where her husband David Shipp (Management; Marketing ’12), grew up. Then Vasti followed the Lord’s leading to approach human resources at Deaconess Health System (Evansville, IN). “I pulled all my introvert bravery together and did it,” she admitted. They responded and met with her; but for her level of expertise, no positions existed at the time. Until the 2020 pandemic.
All at once, the hospital needed someone to help the manager validate tests and run the molecular lab in the Tri-state area. And, equipped with her degrees, Vasti was able to assist. “My title was first penned as Research and Development Associate and was later changed to Technical Specialist in the microbiology laboratory,” Vasti explained.
“This was the hardest yet [most] rewarding thing I have ever done in my life.”
Since the position created was based on the hospital’s immediate needs, tasks changed often. “On a typical day, I had to validate assays/tests we were implementing, ensure quality control was followed, write standard operating procedures, train people on each instrument and test, solve any technical issues that arose, maintain a steady supply of reagents, run the high complexity tests, and fill in any area where needed,” Vasti added. “It was difficult, but God’s grace was with me.”
While she fulfilled this role, Vasti became an expert on all the equipment, tests, and solutions for best use and troubleshooting. “I got to do something very few people ever get to do,” she added. Vasti also had the opportunity to help set up a robotic system that processed many molecular tests at once. “This was the hardest yet [most] rewarding thing I have ever done in my life,” she said. “I got to work with a giant robot that only two people could operate from top to bottom and was part of a team that made testing in a huge area possible.”
Waiting and Trusting
Over the recent years, Vasti noticed changes in her eyesight without immediate answers. She devoted time to prayer, waiting, and medical consultations, but realized her career path was changing. “I am not able to drive, enjoy the sunshine or indoor lighting without having disabling symptoms; thus, I am unable to work normally or at all at times,” Vasti said. “So, after ten years of schooling and a few years of laboratory experience, I find myself unable to use it or live normally.”
“Having a strong foundation in Christ is imperative for your career, but more importantly, for your life.”
Through many challenges, Vasti chooses to trust God daily. “I have come to understand true surrender, trust, and unwavering belief in a good God that doesn’t make or allow mistakes,” she said. “He will make a way for my knowledge in science to not go to waste and will enable me to serve in other ways while I wait for changes in my health.” In the meantime, Vasti feels led to study apologetics, share Bible study tools through a podcast, and become a resource at her local church. “I aim to become fluent in two new languages in the next few years and improve my [creativity]. I would also like to go through every day, pleasant or not, anchoring my reality on a God who can do the impossible.”
Dr. Vasti Aguayo-Otero senses God’s presence in her journey in subtle and obvious ways: through the support of godly friends, neighbors, her husband, and even waived medication expenses. “I have seen Christ bless me with overcast days so I could travel to necessary appointments without pain or terrible symptoms,” she shared. Vasti is reminded of the Apostle Paul, who didn’t rely on himself but rather “knew from experience that he could do anything he needed to with Christ because he had [trusted] before and God showed up. In my words, Paul lived assured. This situation has made me have a thirst for God like never before and has solidified my dire need for my Savior daily.”
To anyone who may facing debilitating challenges, Vasti declares: “Having a strong foundation in Christ is imperative for your career, but more importantly, for your life. I pray all those reading this will be encouraged in times of trial to remain firm and trust that Christ walks with you. Pray for one another. Pray for me. I want to do this well. He is not done working my path and He is not done with you!”
Read more about how God is directing and working through PCC faculty and alumni.