Currently a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Sustainable and Built Environment Engineering at Arizona State University,Andrea Nataly Arias Sanchez began her STEM journey with a Chemical Engineering degree from Ecuador’s Escuela Politécnica Nacional. She earned her M.S. in Environmental Engineering at the University of Valencia and completed a Ph.D. in Chemical & Environmental Engineering at the University of Castilla La Mancha with a Spanish State Research Agency fellowship.Her work spans electrochemical removal of VOCs, nano bubble technologies,hydrogen production via water splitting, PFAS electro‐degradation, and CO₂ electro‐reduction. She’s authored multiple peer‐reviewed articles, mentored undergrads and doctoral students, and coordinated international projects—drawing strength from her Hispanic heritage and a philosophy of case‐based, experiential learning.

I am an evolutionary ecologist specializing in insect–microbe symbioses. My research identifies how microbial partnerships emerge, function, and persist in ants and fireflies through next‐gen sequencing, bioinformatics, and lab/field experiments. As a UTA RISE 100Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Alison Ravenscraft’s lab at UT Arlington, I study firefly–microbe symbioses. Originally from France, I hold a B.Sc. from the University of Tours and an M.Sc. from Rennes, where I studied ant diversity in French Guiana. My Ph.D. at Drexel University examined bacterial gut symbionts in turtle ants. Supported by UTA grants and NSF projects, I also mentor students in ecology, physiology, genomics, and molecular biology.

Dr. Liliana Bravo is a postdoctoral fellow on the ELLAS team in Educational Administration at Texas A&M, coordinating an NSF‐funded, multi‐HSI project on Latina resilience in STEM. With a PhD in Educational Leadership (TAMU‐CC), she explores cultural wealth and perseverance among Latina STEM majors. She holds a B.S. in Biology and an M.Ed. in Secondary Education (UTRGV). Formerly a middle‐school science teacher and higher‐ed instructor at three HSIs, she now designs pathways to empower Latinas through research‐informed mentorship and program development.

Jennifer A. Cárcamo is a Salvadoran filmmaker, scholar, and University of California President’s & Andrew Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Chicano/Latino Studies at UC Irvine. Her book manuscript, Historias Prohibidas del Istmo, examines Central American communists (1920–40). She holds a PhD in History (UCLA) and an MA in Documentary Film & History (Syracuse). Her films Children of the Diaspora (2013) and Eternos Indocumentados (2018) explore refugee experiences. Her scholarship appears in Latin American Law Review, Feminist Formations, and Journal of Race & Class.

Dr. Ahram Cho is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago, where she leads research on urban greening strategies and nature‐based solutions to address the impacts of climate change. Her academic background is rooted in horticulture with a strong focus on plant–environment interactions. During her PhD in South Korea, Dr. Cho developed a CO₂ recirculation system for greenhouse production and published on sustainable horticultural practices under elevated CO₂ and heat stress. Since relocating to Chicago, she’s expanded into urban ecology—using hyperspectral imaging, stable isotope analysis, and AI‐based ecosystem models to study how vegetation helps cities withstand extreme weather and reduces energy loads. She collaborates with public health experts and urban planners to design climate‐resilient green infrastructure and loves fieldwork, greenhouse studies, and urban farms.

Gwen Chodur, PhD MSPH RDN, is a postdoctoral scholar in Psychology & the Center for Economic Justice & Action at UC Santa Cruz (mentored by Drs. Heather Bullock and Suzanna Martinez). She leads the FRESH Study, examining food insecurity’s impact on cardiometabolic health in emerging adults. A first‐generation college student, she earned her PhD in Nutritional Biology at UC Davis—where she co‐founded the graduate food pantry and helped launch Aggie Compass Basic Needs Center. She served as President of the UC Graduate & Professional Council (2020–22) and National Association of Graduate‐Professional Students (2021). With an MSPH from Johns Hopkins and dietetic internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, she holds a BS from Penn State.

Ina Pacheco is a Black Latina postdoc in the Atkinson/Walling labs at UC Riverside, researching plant–pathogen interactions and CRISPR‐based control of the Glassy‐winged sharpshooter (GWSS) to protect grape industries. A 2024 Outstanding Postdoc Awardee at UCR, she mentors undergrads and fosters cultural diversity in her team. She holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from Brazil, where she studied molecular host–pathogen interactions, viral biocontrol, and endophytic vs. pathogenic fungi—winning Bayer’s 2018 Young Scientist Award for psyllid gene discoveries.

Dr. Rose De Kock is a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) working with Drs. Erin Hannon and Joel Snyder to study complex auditory experiences during development. Particularly, she is investigating the relationship between musical experiences and misophonia, a condition characterized by strong negative emotional reactions to everyday sounds (e.g., chewing and breathing), and that only recently emerged as a diagnosable condition. This work will lend insight into the developmental signatures of misophonic experiences, and enhance the broader understanding of auditory processing in individuals with misophonia or reduced tolerance to triggering sounds. Prior to arriving at UNLV, Dr. De Kock earned her B.A. in Biological Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino, and her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of California, Davis. She worked with Dr. Wilsaan Joiner and collaborators at UC Davis to study the relationship between movement and time perception in the general population and in individuals with ADHD. Her research has been recognized by awards such as a NIMH F-31, and publications in journals such as eLife and Trends in Cognitive Sciences. Throughout her academic career, Dr. De Kock has also been dedicated to improving equity and accessibility in higher education. Some of her notable work includes designing a workshop series to empower scholars against sexual harassment in academia (including guest presentations by confidential campus advocates and mental health professionals), acquiring internal and external funding for outreach events, and serving as a student representative in her graduate group’s diversity committee. As an aspiring professor, she is thrilled to join the inaugural HSRU Fellowship cohort to enhance her leadership and service skills to effectively support Hispanic scholars in all stages of higher education.

Vicente (Vince) Estrada-Carpenter is a Beus Prize Postdoc Fellow in ASU’s School of Earth & Space Exploration. He uses JWST NIRISS/NIRISS‐Slitless spectroscopy to map stellar populations in galaxies at Cosmic Noon, focusing on clumpy star‐forming regions and gas inflows. He developed Sleuth, software for spatially resolved grism analysis, and his work was featured in a NASA press release (Fall 2024). He’s active in CANUCS, NGDEEP, JWST OutThere, and PEARLS, and enjoys long‐distance running, cooking, and family time.

Dr. Derek Falk, PhD, MSW, is a postdoctoral research associate in UT Arlington’s School of Social Work. His work examines how adolescent and young‐adult psychosocial development shapes chronic health and mental health in mid‐to‐late life—e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression—via health behaviors. Focusing on Texas’s Latino communities, he evaluates interventions for cancer prevention (ACS‐funded) and breast/cervical cancer navigation in rural/border regions (CPRIT‐GMaP). As a GMaP Region 1‐South T32 fellow at Wake Forest, he studied clinical trial participation among Latino survivors. His publications span Social Work in Public Health, JAYAO, JNCCN, Frontiers in Psychology, and Journal of Evidence‐Based Social Work.

Dr. Yohannes Getahun is a postdoc in the Nanomagnetic Materials Lab (Physics). He develops novel nanomaterials and 2D magnets for sustainable energy and spintronics—e.g., room‐temperature van der Waals magnets for data storage. A PNNL collaborator, he won Best Presenter at NMSU’s Postdoc Symposium. With a PhD in Environmental Science & Engineering (materials focus), M.Sc. from Mekelle Univ., and B.Sc. in Chemistry (minor in Math) from Arba Minch Univ., he overcame first‐generation challenges to excel in science. He serves on postdoc leadership and advisory committees.

Dr. Lauren Heine is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of New Mexico HSC. She completed a PhD in Pharmacology & Toxicology (MSU, 2023) studying omega‐3 fatty acids’ protective effects against silica‐ and endotoxin‐triggered autoimmunity. Her current work examines how metals like arsenic induce immune dysregulation and hematotoxicity—seeking affordable therapeutics for underserved communities. An active member of the Society of Toxicology and ATS, she led outreach and mentorship initiatives at MSU and plans to expand her translational research in occupational and environmental toxicology.

Dr. Sabrina Ali Jamal-Eddine, PhD RN (she/her), is a health‐humanities nurse scientist and disability‐justice scholar‐activist. She earned her PhD and Disability Ethics certificate at UIC, where she studied spoken‐word poetry as narrative pedagogy for nursing students on disability justice. Now a postdoc in Disability & Human Development at UIC, she dismantles ableism through anti‐colonial strategies and community interventions. A 2024–25 Emerge Disability Justice Fellow and Equity‐Minded Nurse Awardee, she’s published in IJNS and JAMA Open, and founded the Disabled Nurse National Solidarity Collective. She aims to create a public humanities healthcare‐equity center.

I'm an evolutionary biologist and currently a postdoctoral researcher at Florida International University. My research looks at how genomes maintain stability in the short-term and eventually evolve over the long-term when faced with genetic stress. I work with Caenorhabditis elegans to study how different mating systems affect an organism’s ability to deal with DNA damage over generations. To dig into these questions, I combine molecular genetics, experimental evolution, and bioinformatics.I did my Ph.D. in evolutionary biology at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali. Back then, I was working with Drosophila melanogaster, trying to understand how growing up in stressful environments influences adult traits like reproduction and lifespan. That project sparked my interest in how organisms adapt under pressure, an interest that has shaped my postdoc, where I now focus on genomic resilience and the evolutionary role of mating systems under mutagenic stress.In the long run, I hope to build my own research group that explores how organisms evolve in response to changing and challenging environments—looking at both the genomic basis of adaptation and the life-history trade-offs that come with it.I'm also passionate about mentoring, teaching, and making science more inclusive and accessible. Originally from India, I now live in Miami. When I’m not in the lab, you’ll probably find me on the couch, pretending to read while half-watching TV.

Dr. Soyeong Kwon is a postdoc in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at UC Irvine. She studies nanoscale strain–exciton coupling in 2D van der Waals materials. A UC Irvine Chancellor’s Postdoc Fellow (2023), she holds B.S., M.S., and PhD degrees in Physics from Ewha Womans University (South Korea).

Dr. Josheili Llavona‐Ortiz holds an MPH in Epidemiology (Univ. Puerto Rico, 2019) and a DrPH in Epidemiology/Biostatistics (Penn State, 2024). Since 2018, she’s worked on colorectal cancer screening interventions in FQHCs in Puerto Rico, served as Dorado’s COVID‐19 municipal epidemiologist, and characterized HPV‐vaccine uptake during the pandemic. Now a T32 Cancer Prevention & Control postdoc at the University of Arizona (mentored by Dr. Gloria Coronado), she analyzes CRC‐screening disparities to inform evidence‐based outreach. A Hispanic/Latina researcher, she bridges science and community education—and in her free time enjoys reading, documentaries, and time with her two Puerto Rican satos.

Dr. Francisco Medina Paz is a postdoc in plant biology, microbial ecology, and bioinformatics. He studies natural variation of jasmonate‐regulated defenses in early‐diverging plants using GWAS and metabolomics to identify genes and pathways for adaptation and immunity—insights that can guide crop improvement. A Ph.D. graduate from CINVESTAV Irapuato, he’s part of the HSRU alliance and mentors underrepresented STEM students. He advocates interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific outreach, and plans to establish a program uniting evolutionary biology and functional genomics to tackle fundamental and applied plant‐science questions.

Dr. Silvia-Jessica Mostacedo-Marasovic is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Higher Education, Adult Learning & Organizational Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), where she is also a RISE 100 Scholar. She holds a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences with a focus on Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) from UTA, a Master’s in Sustainable Development Practice from the University of Florida, and a B.Sc. in Socioeconomic Development and Environment from Zamorano University. Her work focuses on advancing water and environmental literacy by integrating data visualization and modeling tools into formal education to strengthen science literacy, systems thinking, and evidence-based decision-making. She also aligns instruction with water-related K–12 standards, supports bilingual science teacher training, and designs professional development for educators. She co-leads the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Geoscience Education Research Working Group. Before transitioning into education research, Dr. Mostacedo-Marasovic spent over a decade working on agricultural production, water resource management, and local economic development projects across Latin America. She served at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, where she supported the Sustainable Development and Human Settlements Division's projects. She also contributed to research on springs conservation in Florida. Her professional and academic experiences across the region laid the foundation for her continued commitment to water literacy and evidence-based decision-making in environmental sciences.

Dr. Erick Olivares is a neuroscientist specializing in computational brain‐function modeling. He earned his Ph.D. from Universidad de Valparaíso (Chile) and applies mathematical and programming methods (Python, C++) to model neuronal and network processes. His postdocs at Indiana University and UT San Antonio explored nematode locomotion control and basal ganglia dynamics (Parkinson’s, addiction). He publishes in peer‐reviewed journals and presents internationally, bridging theoretical models with AI hardware and algorithms inspired by biological neural insights.

Dr. Angela Parry-Hanson Kunadu is a leading expert in Food Microbiology and Safety, with a career dedicated to advancing interventions that enhance food safety and public health. Her expertise includes microbiological assessments within food value chains, antimicrobial interventions, and the analysis of microbial communities in diverse food systems. She utilizes cutting-edge technologies to improve the microbiological quality and safety of food, addressing critical challenges in food science that have far-reaching impacts.As a prolific researcher, Dr. Kunadu has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and serves as a reviewer for scholarly manuscripts, reflecting her commitment to scientific excellence. Her research and collaborations, which span multiple African countries, demonstrate her dedication to inclusivity and the belief that diverse perspectives drive innovation in science. Dr. Kunadu is passionate about creating environments where minority students excel in STEM disciplines, particularly in food microbiology and safety.Her aspiration to join HSRU faculty aligns with her commitment to inclusive education and culturally responsive research. She recognizes the crucial role that HSRUs play in addressing disparities in STEM fields and empowering first-generation college students to overcome unique academic challenges. Dr. Kunadu's teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential learning and applied research, ensuring that STEM fields are accessible to all.Moreover, Dr. Kunadu is dedicated to tackling public health issues that affect the global ecosystem and local communities, including foodborne illnesses, nutrition security, and sustainable food systems. She thrives on collaborative research and knowledge sharing, channelling her passion for advancing food safety and fostering scientific excellence to create a meaningful impact. Through the Postdoctoral Fellowship, she hopes further to develop her teaching, research, and mentorship skills, preparing herself to contribute significantly to the mission of HSRUs and inspire the next generation of scientific innovators.

Juan Pinos is an ecohydrology postdoc at UNLV’s School of Life Sciences. He earned a Ph.D. in Terrestrial Ecology (Autonomous Univ. Barcelona), an M.S. in Environmental Management (Univ. of Azuay), and a B.S. in Environmental Engineering (Univ. of Cuenca). His research on soil‐vegetation‐atmosphere interactions—especially tree precipitation partitioning—combines fieldwork, lab experiments, and computational modeling. He’s published over two dozen papers, reviews manuscripts, and mentors Hispanic students to enhance their STEM representation.

Dr. Zahid Rafiq is a pharmacologist in UTEP’s School of Pharmacy, specializing in cancer pharmacology, immuno‐ and molecular oncology, and radiation oncology. A CPRIT‐TREC fellow, he researches pancreatic cancer under a career‐transition award. He earned a B.Pharm. (Univ. of Kashmir), an M.S. Pharm, and a PhD in Pharmacology/Toxicology (NIPER Mohali), then served as assistant professor at LPU (India) and postdoc at MD Anderson. He develops targeted agents, siRNA/miRNA therapeutics, and CAR‐T interventions, and works to personalize anticancer strategies for Hispanic populations. An AACR and ASCO member, he excels at mentoring, grant writing, and scientific leadership.

Dr. Niloofar Sadeghi is a postdoc in Dr. Brian Hermann’s lab at UTSA, specializing in andrology and male infertility. She’s optimizing marmoset sperm cryopreservation protocols to create a shared biobank for biomedical research. A PhD in Histology (Shahid Chamran Univ., Iran), she investigated varicocele mechanisms and autophagy’s role in infertility. As a CFAS‐funded postdoc at Sherbrooke Univ., she linked oxidative stress to sperm DNA damage—resulting in a highly cited 2023 publication. She mentors underrepresented students and aims to lead an inclusive lab.

Dr. Ruchi Saini is a postdoctoral scholar in the Violence Against Women Cluster at UCF. Her research on gender, higher education, and international development probes how universities shape gender‐based violence experiences. She earned a PhD in Int’l Education Policy (UMD, 2024), was a NAED/Spencer and Mariam Chamberlain fellow, and holds an MA in English Lit (St. Stephen’s College–DU, gold medalist) and an MEd (Univ. of Glasgow, Chevening fellow). She’s worked at Brookings and as a McNair program counselor, and publishes in journals like Journal of Gender‐Based Violence

Dr. Estefania Sanchez‐Vasquez dual‐majored in Genetics & Biotechnology at Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (Peru), then earned a Ph.D. on microRNA epigenetic regulation during neural‐crest migration in Argentina—earning Wood‐Whelan and Company of Biologists fellowships to train with Dr. Marianne Bronner at Caltech. Her first postdoc (Caltech, Dr. Magdalena Zernicka‐Goetz) studied aneuploidy in mammalian development. Now in Ali Shariati’s lab at UCSC, she investigates totipotency and somatic reprogramming. A Pew Latin American and IRACDA fellow, she’s published in PNAS, Development, eLife, and Nature Cell Biology. She’s committed to rigorous, innovative, peer‐supported research and mentorship in epigenetics, cell/developmental/stem‐cell biology, and regenerative medicine.

Dr. Chetan Sharma is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Construction Management at UTSA. His interdisciplinary work bridges hydrology, climate resilience, and AI, focusing on sustainable groundwater management. He’s developing AI/ML models for Edwards Aquifer recharge and spring flow under climate change (EAA‐funded), supporting groundwater‐dependent ecosystems in Texas. Dr. Sharma earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from IIT Roorkee, where he detected climate‐change signals in the Ganga Basin. With industry experience in hydropower and over five years teaching, he mentors students, judges 3MT competitions, and serves on UTSA’s postdoc committees—aspiring to a tenure‐track role at an HSI.

Dr. Teresa Ubina is a postdoctoral researcher in neuroinflammation, focusing on astrocyte biology, host–parasite interactions, and neuroimmune signaling. Having earned her PhD in Neuroscience (UCR), she investigates reactive‐astrocyte subpopulations in Toxoplasma gondii–induced inflammation using stem cells, transgenic mice, and molecular/cellular techniques. Grounded in a master’s thesis on Alzheimer’s models in stem cells, she aims to launch an independent lab to explore glial biology and neuroimmune dynamics. Committed to inclusive mentorship, she values collaboration and representation in neuroscience.

Dr. Michelle Villegas-Downs, PhD RN, is a postdoctoral research associate in Human Development Nursing Science at UIC. Her translational research addresses maternal–infant morbidity—focusing on preterm birth and postpartum surveillance. A former neonatal and antenatal/postnatal nurse and trained quantitative ultrasound sonographer, she develops interventions using her clinical and imaging expertise to improve long‐term outcomes for mothers and babies.

Rietta Wagoner is a postdoctoral researcher in environmental & occupational health at the University of Arizona. Her community‐led projects address environmental‐justice issues—heat, pesticide, and heavy‐metal exposures—in border, rural, and agricultural regions across AZ, Sonora, CA, and the Navajo Nation. She mentors students and organizations, secures funding, and currently examines how heat and pesticides affect maternal health using birth‐certificate data and partners with SDSU and Líderes Campesinas on farmworker interventions.

Dr. Jiali Wang is a postdoctoral scholar at Texas A&M’s BiRDI Lab, focusing on Spanish–English bilingual children’s language and literacy development and developmental language disorder (DLD) diagnosis. As a bilingual herself, she advocates for asset‐based approaches and individual differences in multilingual populations. With a PhD in Educational Psychology & Communication Disorders from UC Irvine, she bridges writing assessment and oral‐language research, and partners with local communities on multilingualism, disability support, and educational equity.