Welcome — Bienvenidos to the 2026 Quebrando Barreras: Breaking Barriers in STEM Conference!

Hosted at UCLA, this free, two-day conference aims to convene students with professors from all areas of chemistry and biochemistry to establish, strengthen, and promote research collaborations between scientists from partner institutions who are committed to broadening participation in STEM disciplines. In collaboration with Latina Futures 2050 Lab, the conference will provide two tracks with a thematic focus on Women of Color in STEM.

To date, we have 26 universities from across the United States and internationally committed to presenting at Quebrando Barreras. 

Led by UCLA Professor Osvaldo Gutierrez, inaugural Fraser and Norma Stoddard Chair in Contemporary Chemistry and CSRC's inaugural Senior STEM Faculty Director, the 2026 Quebrando Barreras: Breaking Barriers in STEM Conference is supported by the UCLA Division of Physical Sciences, UCLA Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center (CSRC), and the Latina Futures 2050 Lab. 

The Latina Futures 2050 Lab will convene scholars from across California as well as from national and international institutions to participate in academic research talks, panels, networking activities, and discussion on strategies to broaden participation in STEM while promoting mentorship, community, belonging, and academic excellence.