mentoring
In the lab
I have trained and supervised five high school and undergraduate students in the lab, most of whom went on to work on their own projects stemming from my research. As a mentor, I strive to show that science and research are not intimidating. I enjoy learning alongside my mentees and discovering the next step, whether it is a follow-up assay or a new question. |
Science.Art.Wonder is an event that pairs scientists with artists, who then create an art piece representing the scientist's work. Heidi, a former mentee, took on the role of both when she created a piece inspired by her project--a pair of hands holding a plate of heat-shocked worms!
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Organizations
Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
During the 2021 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference, I served as a mentor in the 1-on-1 Mentoring with a SACNAS Leader Workshop, where I discussed professional development and career paths with two undergraduate women. I was also a judge for microbiology poster presentations and met many amazing graduate student presenters across the country.
At the same conference, I had the opportunity to collaborate with several other early career researchers and organize a workshop entitled “The Who What Why of Mentoring Networks”. Our goal was to promote graduate student success through the formation and fostering of mentorship networks.
Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
During the 2021 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference, I served as a mentor in the 1-on-1 Mentoring with a SACNAS Leader Workshop, where I discussed professional development and career paths with two undergraduate women. I was also a judge for microbiology poster presentations and met many amazing graduate student presenters across the country.
At the same conference, I had the opportunity to collaborate with several other early career researchers and organize a workshop entitled “The Who What Why of Mentoring Networks”. Our goal was to promote graduate student success through the formation and fostering of mentorship networks.
Global Village Project
From 2016 to 2021 I was a mentor at the Global Village Project (GVP), a school for refugee girls. I supported my mentee on academic matters such as tutoring, resources and transportation, and high school and university preparation. From 2015 to 2018 I was also a volunteer in GVP's science class where, in addition to assisting with classroom activities, I taught the students how to use microscopes, perform DNA extractions on strawberries, and discussed what it was like to be an immigrant and scientist at GVP's Career Day.
From 2016 to 2021 I was a mentor at the Global Village Project (GVP), a school for refugee girls. I supported my mentee on academic matters such as tutoring, resources and transportation, and high school and university preparation. From 2015 to 2018 I was also a volunteer in GVP's science class where, in addition to assisting with classroom activities, I taught the students how to use microscopes, perform DNA extractions on strawberries, and discussed what it was like to be an immigrant and scientist at GVP's Career Day.
community involvement
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair
I served as a judge for middle and high school exhibits at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair from 2016 to 2018, and recently in 2022. It was a fun experience interacting with so many creative and excited students showcasing their discoveries!
I served as a judge for middle and high school exhibits at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair from 2016 to 2018, and recently in 2022. It was a fun experience interacting with so many creative and excited students showcasing their discoveries!
Atlanta Science Festival
In 2015 and 2016 I helped organize and volunteered at several booths at the Atlanta Science Festival Exploration Expo, an event attended by over 20,000 people each year. These booths included “Mycrobes: Making the Unseen Seen”, where participants cultured microbes and watched them grow through Mycrobes.org; and “Solving Evolutionary Mysteries with Worms”, where participants looked at worms through microscopes and learned why males exist.
In 2015 and 2016 I helped organize and volunteered at several booths at the Atlanta Science Festival Exploration Expo, an event attended by over 20,000 people each year. These booths included “Mycrobes: Making the Unseen Seen”, where participants cultured microbes and watched them grow through Mycrobes.org; and “Solving Evolutionary Mysteries with Worms”, where participants looked at worms through microscopes and learned why males exist.
Bringing microbes and worms to the classroom
Throughout graduate school I introduced microbes and worms to grade-school students (and sometimes their parents) in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. One advantage of working with tiny organisms is their portability, making it relatively easy to bring our research into the classroom and show the students the wonders of our study organisms and what they can teach us. Helping students find worms under the scope
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