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Outreach & Connections
Mission Statement:
Credit: APS
APS @ UCF
At the University of Central Florida, I became a member of our APS (American Physical Society) chapter, a space where physics students come together to support each other academically, professionally, and socially.
As a Hispanic physicist, I recognize the importance of creating and sustaining these kinds of spaces, especially in disciplines where we’re still underrepresented. Whether it’s organizing discussions, sharing resources, or showing up for one another, this chapter has reinforced my belief that success in science is built through community.
Credit: SACNAS @ CU
SACNAS+ @ Columbia
As a mentee, I found guidance that helped me navigate the challenges of being a first-generation student in STEM. Whether it was helping with coursework, sharing application tips, or simply offering reassurance, I saw firsthand how powerful it is to have someone in your corner.
243rd AAS Conference
At the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), I had the opportunity to present a poster on my research involving FRB 20200816B. This conference marked a major step forward, not just in terms of presenting my findings to a broader scientific audience, but also in immersing myself within the professional astronomy community.
From graduate students to senior scientists, I was able to exchange ideas, get feedback, and most importantly, see where my work fits into the larger astronomical landscape.
Credit: SACNAS
NDiSTEM Conference 2023
​At the SACNAS Diversity Conference, I connected with an incredible community of Hispanic scientists. I left with a deeper understanding of just how widespread feelings of isolation are among Latinos in STEM.
One of the most common threads in the conversations I had was the lack of role models. Even among those who had successfully made it to graduate programs or professional careers, many expressed that they still felt like they didn’t belong. It’s a reminder that representation matters, and that sometimes just showing up and being visible is a form of leadership.
Columbia STEM Symposium
I had the opportunity to present my summer research project. This work focused on the observational study of a repeating fast radio burst (FRB), a class of transient radio signals of unknown origin.
Presenting this research to faculty, peers, and fellow student researchers was not only an academic milestone but a meaningful moment of growth. It was the first time I shared my work in a formal setting, helping bridge my early curiosity in astrophysics with the rigor of scientific communication and discovery.
Great Hispanic scientists
The title of this project isn’t meant to question the existence of great Hispanic scientists, rather, it challenges why their names are so often left out of the spotlight. This question emerged from my own experiences as a Hispanic student in STEM.
We uncover statistical trends and lived realities that deter Hispanic and Latino students from entering and remaining in STEM fields. These include a deep-rooted religious distrust of science, language barriers , and a glaring lack of visible Hispanic role models in STEM.
Credit: Latino Summit
Latino Summit NWS
I had the opportunity to serve as a panelist at the Latino Summit NWS, an event aimed at promoting higher education within the Latino community. I’d like to share a story, where out of six student panelists, I was the only one representing STEM; a moment that immediately stood out to me and emphasized the importance of visibility in these fields.
At the end of the discussion, the moderator asked the audience of eighty students to raise their hands if they planned to go to college and graduate. Only seven hands went up. That moment has stayed with me. It was a powerful reminder of the gaps that still exist and the importance of showing up, sharing our stories, and creating space for others to follow.
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