Outreach & Leadership

University of Michigan SACNAS

Our UM SACNAS Executive Board celebrating winning the 2023 SACNAS Chapter Award for Community Outreach.

Explaining the rock cycle to elementary students during the UM SACNAS Feria de Ciencia (Spanish Science Fair).

As a first gen Latina student, I am passionate about fostering and supporting underrepresented groups in STEM through my involvement in the University of Michigan's (UM) Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Chapter. I served as Outreach Chair from 2022-2023 and later served as the Chapter President from 2023-2025. During my time on the board, I led a Spanish Science Fair (Feria de Ciencia) for elementary school students in addition to professional development and community events.

Earth Camp

Earth Camp is a summer program for high school students hosted by the University of Michigan's EES Department, offering students the opportunity to directly engage in earth sciences. I was a group leader for the Wyoming 2023 cohort, where I helped lead hikes and activities in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park.

As a Chicago native, I find these programs invaluable for offering students an early connection to greater environmental systems.

Science Communication Fellow

Showing students purple filamentous cyanobacteria from Middle Island Sinkhole microbial mats.

Explaining how lake sediment cores are collected to a family.

I participated in a semester-long science communication workshop led by the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History. The program culminated in a public Scientist Spotlight showcase, where I designed and led an interactive exhibit based on my research at Middle Island Sinkhole. Using a custom-built clay model of the sinkhole, I guided visitors through coring their own “sediment core” and engaged with the public answering questions about my research.