"In diversity there is beauty and there is strength."
Maya Angelou
I believe the most important step when doing science is to communicate it. That is why I am very active in engaging the public. I love sharing the details of my projects, with the goal of inspiring future scientists. Although I engage widely in the community through several programs, I give special emphasis to teaching and sharing science with women and minorities. I know how underrepresented these groups are in the scientific community, and how vital it is for all students to feel included; therefore, I try to serve as a role model to young females and young Hispanics aspiring to be scientists. Last year the NSF reported that Hispanics comprised only 6% of professionals working in science and engineering occupations. Hispanic females, however, comprise an even lower percentage. Only 2% of science and engineering occupations are engaged by Hispanic females . Hispanic girls need to see role models they can identify with in any career they may choose. That is why as a Latino scientist, I wholeheartedly believe it is imperative to increase participation in science of women and minorities, and I actively work to achieve this goal.
As a scientist, I know how valuable and imperative different views are in research. It is for this reason that I work to promote diversity of ideas and cultures in the lab I am part of, and in science in general. My ultimate goal is to inspire youth from underrepresented groups to become scientists and to break existing barriers. I will do so by expanding STEM education, outreach, and policy, and by advocating for more diverse and inclusive STEM field.
As a scientist, I know how valuable and imperative different views are in research. It is for this reason that I work to promote diversity of ideas and cultures in the lab I am part of, and in science in general. My ultimate goal is to inspire youth from underrepresented groups to become scientists and to break existing barriers. I will do so by expanding STEM education, outreach, and policy, and by advocating for more diverse and inclusive STEM field.
KAWSE |
I am a volunteer and mentor for the K-State Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering (KAWSE). KAWSE’s mission is to increase participation, retention, and advancement of females in STEM fields. As a mentor of the Girls Researching Our World (GROW) program, I educate and develop fun scientific activities, so middle school girls can learn science while enjoying themselves. In addition, I am a member of KAWSE's SUCCEED Internal Advisory Board and help with event planning and recruitment of female mentors.
Verde Clovers
I am a science mentor for the Verde Clovers 4H Club (Riley County). The Verde Clovers is a club that focuses on the development and learning of youth from Latino families. As their science mentor, I develop interactive science activities, showcasing how fun research can be, while teaching them the importance of science. More importantly, though, I serve as an image they can identify with, and I show and tell them they can be scientists as well.
I am a science communication fellow for the Sunset Zoo. Through this program we develop hands-on activities that explain our research and present it in various informal settings allowing science communicators to share their research to a broader audience.
Girls in STEM
I mentor a group of middle school girls through "Girls in STEM camp." This programs seeks to increase participation of females in STEM fields by pairing them with female scientist mentors that can serve as inspiration and advisers to the girls. I take a hands-on approach and teach them microbiology by doing the science. In the end, they leave the lab knowing about the wonders of the unseen and aware of how fun it is to STEM like a girl!
KSCI
I am part of the Kansas Science Communication Initiative (KSCI). This initiative seeks to engage the public in understanding, promoting, and actively participating in science and research. Specifically, it aims to connect researchers with K-12 teachers to promote an increase in science participation and early engagement of youth through informal teaching.
Mentoring Latina Scientists
I've been fortunate enough to mentor Hispanic females that have conducted independent research projects in the lab I am part of. Pictured are Veronica Mateo and Emireth Monarrez, two undergraduates KS-LSAMP (Kansas Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation) scholars I helped mentor last Summer.
Willie's Fun Zone
I was one of the scientists to present their research with a hands-on activity in Willie's Fun Zone (WFZ). WFZ is a STEM-centered activity where we get to showcase the research that is being done in KSU before the biggest football game of the season; the Sunflower Showdown.
Centennial Challenges
NASA’s program manager for the Centennial Challenges invited me to form part of a select group that attended the StarHab Ideation Workshop. In this workshop we designed scientific programs that will become federal “challenges” that students and members of the community will work to solve and ultimately win a grant and the chance to perform research in the International Space Station.
Science Policy
I was competitively selected to be one of two students to represent KSU on the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) workshop in Washington DC. Through this program I got to talk to lawmakers about the importance of STEM education and funding, advocated for science and served as a bridge between researchers and policy makers.
Informal Education @ KSU
I participate in fun, informal educational events that promote STEM fields. Pictured here is me talking to the community about my research at Science on Tap; and me as the face of Kansas State University promoting STEM research and its importance.