Brittany (Klenczar) Castro graduated from Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS) in 2015 and has since built an impressive academic and professional career. After high school, Brittany attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she played for the women’s soccer team in 2016. However, her involvement in a research lab eventually led her to focus solely on her studies. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2019 and a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) in 2022.
Currently, Brittany is an administrative faculty member at UNLV, working as a Program Manager for a research team in the School of Public Health. Her team focuses on social and behavioral factors impacting Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and the experiences of caregivers for people living with ADRD. “Working in research and focusing on such impactful areas has been incredibly fulfilling,” Brittany shares.
Reflecting on her high school years, Brittany fondly remembers playing soccer. “Playing soccer was the highlight of my time at PVHS. Winning the state championship and playing with a group of talented and driven girls was an unforgettable experience,” she recalls. She was a four-year letter earner, won state championships in 2012 and 2013, and was team captain her senior year. Academically, she graduated with a 4.4 GPA, ranking in the top 10 of her class, which earned her scholarships to attend UNLV at little to no cost.
Brittany’s career journey is marked by her transition from an undecided major to a dedicated researcher. “I was immediately interested in psychology and began looking into what a career in this field would look like,” she explains. Her involvement in a research lab at UNLV and participation in the Research and Mentorship Program (RAMP) sparked her passion for research. She worked as a research assistant, eventually becoming a lab manager, which allowed her to train others and gain extensive experience in the research process.
Her professional achievements include first-authoring a peer-reviewed article and working on various research projects. “Publishing my work is a huge piece of my career, and I was thrilled to first-author a peer-reviewed article this year,” she says.
Brittany attributes much of her career development to her mentors. “The faculty member whose research lab I worked in during my undergraduate career had a significant impact on my career. She allowed me to be part of the team and gain exposure to various aspects of research,” Brittany notes. She emphasizes the importance of doing what you say you will do, which has helped her navigate her career field.
Challenges have also been part of Brittany’s journey. “I remember being devastated when I didn’t get accepted into over 25 PhD programs,” she shares. However, she pivoted to pursue a Master’s in Social and Behavioral Public Health, a field better suited to her interests.
Brittany stays connected with her high school friends and community through her family and mutual friends in Pahrump. “My family lives in Pahrump, and my husband, Abraham, is also from Pahrump. We have several mutual friends that we stay in contact with,” she says.
In her personal life, Brittany is married to Abraham Castro, her middle school sweetheart. They live in Las Vegas, where Abraham is an accountant, working on his master’s degree to become a CPA. They are expecting their first child, Marcelo, in October. Brittany enjoys traveling, endurance running, and spending time with her two dogs and two cats.
Balancing her professional life with personal interests, Brittany feels fortunate to work remotely, which helps maintain a balance. “I know I am about to face the ultimate challenge of balancing professional and personal life once the baby is born,” she acknowledges.
Looking ahead, Brittany is focused on becoming a good mother and handling the transition of life well. She also has a goal to run a 50-mile ultramarathon within the next year. “I am content in my career field, but my personal goal is to be a good mother and handle this transition well,” she concludes.
Brittany’s journey from PVHS to a fulfilling career in public health research serves as an inspiration to many. Her dedication to her work, commitment to her family, and passion for helping others highlight the remarkable path she has taken since her high school days.
