By Katherine Flores

In a world that often separates science from art, UC Santa Barbara student Maritza Ramos Leon is proving that passion doesn’t have to pick sides.

In her second year as a Biology student, from the small town of Porterville, California, Ramos is not only navigating the rigorous world of STEM but also testing the waters as a queer filmmaker.

UCSB Biology student, Maritza Ramos Leon balances the demands of being a STEM major with her passion for filmmaking. Her recent short film, The Perspective of a Thought that Won’t Go Away, seeks to shed light on queer relationships.

Her recent short film, The Perspective of a Thought that Won’t Go Away is a heartfelt portrayal of a queer relationship. In the film, which follows two girls as they confess their love to each other, we see flashbacks of moments that deepened their bond, such as witnessing a parent's infidelity and supporting each other through anxiety and panic attacks. Through these intimate scenes, Ramos sought to express emotional vulnerability and provide a voice for those who are underrepresented.

Just as Ramos’ film explores themes of exploration and resilience, her own story is one of following all your passions, even when they pull you in different directions. She recently spoke in an interview about her dedication to film and the arts, even while choosing  a STEM field in her academic life.

Can you tell me a bit about your journey as a Biology student? You are also drawn to art and filmmaking. What sparked your interest in science in the first place?

I ended up learning through the internet that you could study marine biology and, on a whim, decided that’s what I was going to pursue. Now that I’m at UCSB and have all the exposure I could ever ask for, I’ve learned about biomedical research, biotech, and research. I’m still learning what career I’ll choose, but I have a much better idea now that I am here. I realize that I’ve always been interested in science, but had no way of learning what kind of jobs were out there in my hometown. It’s also really interesting since I grew up as an art kid but decided to shift to STEM.

What is the film about, and why was it important to you to focus on a Queer storyline?

The film is about two women who are trying to navigate how their relationship would be together. It explores different ways that they’ve been tested. I am queer, it’s the experience I’m most familiar with, and it’s important to get not only queer representation but healthy queer representation.

UCSB student Maritza Ramos is a Biology major by day, and director by night. By directing her short film, The Perspective of a Thought that Won’t Go Away, the student shows that it is possible to lead an interdisciplinary life in college.

What inspired you to write and direct this film? Was there a particular moment or story that pushed you to tell it?

I saw a girl I found attractive and formed the story around what I would hope she is like. I daydream too much for my own good, but I also feel like there’s not enough representation about a healthy relationship, so I decided I could contribute to that.

How do you balance the demands of a STEM degree with your creative projects? Has working in both areas shaped your identity in unexpected ways?

To be honest, I sacrifice time that I should spend on studying and doing work, which is something you totally shouldn’t do, on doing “side quests” like this. Although it is not the smartest thing to do academically, I will still say it’s been worth it for me. I have met so many cool people and have had so many cool experiences that, despite sacrificing my GPA, I’m still just really happy. Also, grades are important, but your experience is even more so, and I’m still getting experience with research, in STEM, so I know I’ll be okay.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the writing and directing process, especially as someone who comes from a STEM background?

Writing is a skill that I haven’t used since high school, since it’s not a skill you need in STEM. It was difficult to write a cohesive story that can still be nuanced, but I just tried to write with as much vulnerability as I could.

What advice would you give to other STEM students who might be afraid to explore or express their creative side?

It’s so worth it. I’ve never been happier.

Looking ahead, do you hope to keep making films? How do you imagine blending your creative and scientific passions in the future?

I hope to continue to have creative endeavors and be able to graduate and live my life after college with many memories related to both art and science. They are more intertwined than people are led to believe.

Katherine Flores is a second year Film and Media Studies major. She wrote this article for her Digital Journalism class.