By Dan Lathey

To say that former Texas A&M International University volleyball standout Dr. Sarah Jenkins is a high achiever would be an understatement. The Laredo native's determination and unrelenting work ethic has carried her from the halls of John B. Alexander High School to her current assignment as a Microbiologist serving with the United States Navy stationed currently at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 

Jenkins was the definition of student-athlete during her Dustdevil volleyball playing career from 2003-06. She was a three-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI honoree and graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA earning a bachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in Mathematics. 

On the court, Jenkins was an outstanding contributor who helped lead the team to three of the best seasons in school history. She left her name in the TAMIU record book, where she ranks fourth on the career list for services aces (107) and sixth on the career list for digs (841).

After graduating from TAMIU in 2007, Jenkins earned a master's in science in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from the University of Texas Health Science Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in 2009. She then continued her passion for infectious diseases research, completing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at UT-HSC-GSBS in 2013.

At one time considering a career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jenkins switched gears and was commissioned as a U.S. Navy officer in 2014. Her first permanent assignment was Naval Hospital Portsmouth in Portsmouth, Va. from 2014-2016, where she served as head of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory providing health care laboratory services to active duty military members, dependents, and veterans.

Jenkins was transferred to Lima, Peru in 2016 to work at the Naval Research Laboratory (NAMRU-6) where she served as Head of the Vector Borne & Zoonotic Disease Unit and Deputy Head of the Virology and Emerging Infections Department. She worked extensively in the acute febrile illness surveillance network at NAMRU-6, as well as five other Latin American countries. During her assignment in Peru, Jenkins was awarded the U.S. Department of State Group Eagle Award and U.S. Department of State Group Meritorious Honor Award for her team's effort and mobile response during the Zika Virus outbreak in Latin America.

Since 2018, Jenkins has been assigned to the Navy Environmental & Preventive Medicine Unit Six at Pearl Harbor. She currently serves as the Department Head for the Unit Laboratory providing Navy fleet health support services, managing microbiology laboratory capabilities for forward deployable preventive medical units, and maintaining surge capacity for Department of Defense disease outbreak response and testing of unknown biological samples. She is also leading and coordinating Global Health Engagement activities throughout the Pacific Islands.

Jenkins has earned two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, one Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and two Overseas service ribbons. She is scheduled to be promoted to Lieutenant Commander in September.

Former TAMIU volleyball coach Binny Canales says it was a privilege to coach Jenkins during the first two years of her Dustdevil career, and her success is not a surprise to him or anyone else that knows Jenkins.

"Sarah is a very special young lady that excelled on the court and in the classroom," said Canales. "Her value to both TAMIU and the volleyball team was off the charts and fueled by her commitment and values.  There are so many memories with Sarah and her team, from debates among players on van trips to the competition on the court.  She arrived on campus quiet but confident and quickly became highly respected by both teammates and coaches.  Sarah is the definition of an ideal student-athlete, I am honored to have coached her and so proud of all of her accomplishments!"

Jenkins, who recently gave birth to her first child, took some time from her very busy schedule to share her thoughts on her Navy service, the need for global collaboration in the fight against COVID-19 and the special bond she shares with her former TAMIU teammates.

Question: You seem quite passionate about serving in the U.S. Navy and your assignment, what is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Answer: Yes, I love my field of work and being part of the Navy and its traditions. The most rewarding aspect of my job is simply providing preventive medicine and public health support to the forces and protecting the sailors of the U.S. Navy on a daily basis. 

Question: What is the best life lesson you have learned from your Navy service?

Answer: Being ready to adapt in the face of change whether it's good or bad.                 

Question: In your role as a microbiologist what are your thoughts on the scientific community's ability to meet the challenge of combating the coronavirus pandemic and future such instances?

Answer: I think there has been a global scientific collaboration unlike what we've seen before, and this is critically important for sharing data on the virus and COVID-19 patients, so that tests can be developed appropriately and urgently to slow down the transmission rate and to provide the most effective treatments. With today's technology and the pace of information sharing, it makes it very promising to combat this disease and future outbreaks. Additionally, we will need national and global compliance for preventive measures and this is something that the scientific community will continue to push. 

Question: What is the best thing about being stationed in Hawaii?

Answer: The perfect weather all year long, the beaches, and the amazing hiking trails. 

Question: What is your best memory from your TAMIU volleyball career?

Answer: I miss our daily practices, although exhausting at times; they were always filled with laughter and jokes from teammates and Coach. It was never a dull moment. 

Question: You ran our first marathon back in 2010. How are you planning to stay active with a new baby and impending marriage?

Answer: We plan to go on walks/hikes and workout as a family. We try to incorporate this on a weekly basis with our tough work schedules. Hopefully when the nation can go back to opening up running events, we hope to complete our first race as a family. 

Question: Any shout-outs to former teammates, coaches, teachers or professors that made a profound impact on your time in Laredo?

Answer: Definitely Coach Canales, who put together an amazing team of girls. To this day we are like sisters. We have reunions at least once a year, and we are growing up together meeting the new challenges of life. Shout-out to my volleyball teammates: Jo Cayme-Mosley, Amanda Cruz Myhrberg, Desiree Lara, Amanda Montoya, Eliza Cezario Rice, Michelle Castaneda, Veronica Mendiola, Victoria Ramirez, Jessica Garcia, Sivonney Molina. 

Some excellent professors I had and shaped my career to where I am today are Dr. Krishnamurthy and Dr. Vaughan!