Board Elections 

I believe the strongest sense of personal satisfaction and fulfillment comes from having made a difference in the lives and professional trajectories of others. Thus I am unashamed to say that my interest in serving as a SACNAS Board member is a selfish one. Very early in my career (mid 1980s) I participated in a nascent NIH program for minority students called MBRS. At the time, I viewed it simply as a means of getting externally supported students into my lab. However after a few short years of participation, I realized what a difference it made in the lives of students who might never have pursued a life of science. Fast forward to the present day, I am privileged to have had a well-supported research career in science. Although I certainly enjoy the professional recognition (grants, publications, invited talks, etc), I can honestly say that science has been merely my vehicle to improve the career prospects of my young proteges.

As a SACNAS Board member, I believe my most valuable contribution would be to play to my strength in forming and maintaining relationships with the various USG funding agencies, namely DoD and DoE, as well as NSF and NASA. I’ve always felt validated by my grant program managers for the work I’ve done with under-represented students as an integral part of my basic science grants, rather than a distraction. I also believe I will have similar success with private foundations.

I've attended 7 SACNAS national meetings in the last decade or so, with 2-3 of my research students each time. Most recently, I organized and ran one of 14 regional American Physical Society Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics last January, with my co-chair, Prof. Sophia Suarez (Brooklyn College), who is also my former PhD student. https://sites.google.com/view/cuny-cuwip2024. I was one of ten recipient of the 2002 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (sponsored by NSF and White House OSTP). I was also honored by SACNAS as their Distinguished Scientist Awardee in 2016. More recently, I nominated my colleague, Prof. Maria Tamargo of City College of New York, for the SACNAS Distinguished Scientist Award, which she received in 2021.

Despite the overly simplistic view that an assembly of physics professors is a monolithic group, one of my challenges was to achieve consensus on a variety of curricular matters when I was Executive Officer of the CUNY Graduate Center PhD program in Physics. Balancing "old school" ideas with those of our more progressive younger faculty took a lot of effort, but the outcome was often personally rewarding to me. A much more recent example was my service on a Hunter College presidential committee on Campus Civiltiy in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and Israel's military response in Gaza. As a Jew and son of Holocaust survivors with relatives and professional colleagues in Israel, this was deeply personal to me. Our committee was tasked with interviewing various student and faculty constituencies in order to come up with a series of recommendations on how to deal with campus disruptions. It was important for me to hear and respect opposing views despite my initial personal discomfort, and I believe I grew from that experience.

The vast majority of my fundraising experience is and has been in support of my research, having obtained about $15M in single-investigator grants (in a 40-year span). Very recently, leading a team of four other faculty colleagues, I have been awarded a 5-year $5M grant from NASA's Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP). In non-research endeavors, I was successful in raising funds from the U.S. Air Force, the Simons Foundation, and the Sloan Foundation to support our recent Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics. One of my biggest and most pleasant surprises during my 2014-15 Jefferson Science Fellowship, was that my DoD and DoE grant program managers were rather pleased to see me serving the U.S. Government that year, rather than expressing disappointment at my taking time away from my lab. From my long experience with Federal funding program managers, the vast majority of them are completely on board with SACNAS goals, and I therefore believe I can be an effective advocate for raising Federal monies.

(i) First and foremost, to ensure the continuity of the most impactful of SACNAS's programs, including the ability to run annual national meetings, provide student travel awards, and support local chapters. (ii) To engage in strategic planning for the health of the Society and its core missions that is responsive to challenges arising from changing political landscapes. (iii) To strongly advocate for and publicize SACNAS's mission and goals at the national and local levels. (iii) As mentioned, I believe my own contributions would be principally in fund raising from Federal and private sources. (iv) Finally, to raise the participation level of professionals and students in the physical sciences. This was mentioned as one of SACNAS's goals in the recent informational video for potential Board candidates, and this is obviously very much in my wheelhouse.

Hunter College Physics Department Chair, total of 9 years (not all at once): making teaching assignments, supervising faculty searches and hiring, preparing junior faculty for promotion and tenure. Served on numerous Science Division and University-wide committees.

Executive Officer, Ph.D. Program in Physics, CUNY Graduate Center, 2008-2014. Oversight of entire program, with a steady-state population of over 100 Ph.D. students and over 60 participating faculty from the CUNY campuses (there were no Graduate Central line faculty at the time of my service - our PhD program is consortial, with faculty whose primary appointments are on the campuses).

I had the opportunity to "use a different side of my brain" during the 2014-15 academic year when I was a Jefferson Science Fellow at the U.S. State Department. Having the credibility of an accomplished researcher allowed me access to several platforms from which to advocate for science for the greater good. Two examples from that year are particularly notable. (i) I convened a meeting between the National Society of Black Engineers and a group of U.S. foreign service officials to discuss and implement strategies to encourage local entrepreneurship efforts in renewable energy and clean water technology in several African nations. (ii) As a (temporary) State Department official, I visited the Ministry of Energy in Israel to encourage outreach efforts to engage Israeli Arabs in educational and professional activities in renewable energy.

More recently, I worked with the American Physical Society (APS) to host one of 14 regional Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics. Our meeting was held at the CUNY Graduate Center in January, 2024. Several of our panelists and workshop leaders were former students of mine.

For so long, science was a space accessible to a few, leading to ingrained stereotypes about who does science or to whom it belongs. My mentoring of hundreds of trainees from diverse backgrounds, and my own personal experiences, demonstrated the importance of inclusive communities. My own identity as a scientist is deeply influenced by my heritage—from the indigenous knowledge of Ecuador, to the questioning activism of Argentina, to the love for life of my Puerto Rican upbringing and identity. At SACNAS, I found an organization that recognizes, values, and celebrates all these facets. I want to contribute to advancing this mission and bring to the Board important, relevant experience. For the past 12 years I served as the first Executive Director of Ciencia Puerto Rico, a nonprofit dedicated to democratizing science knowledge, education and careers. Under my leadership, we grew from a volunteer-based organization to a team of 18 with a healthy budget, including federal grants, and 17,000 members. During my tenure, we expanded scientific opportunities for youth in Puerto Rico and have made science more culturally relevant and present in public media. At Yale I have created innovative programs that promote the advancement of scientists from underrepresented backgrounds across career stages and I have had the chance to advice policy through two expert National Academies committees. As I transition from my role at CienciaPR, I am seeking a new challenge to apply my skills and insights for the betterment of science. SACNAS is the place to do it.

I have been an active member of SACNAS since 2014 and lifetime member since 2018. In SACNAS I found the community I wished for when I was a graduate student—one that celebrates our cultures and identities as an integral part of science. I also found an intellectual community interested in advancing diversity and inclusion and supporting trainee-focused mentoring and success. Since 2014, I have contributed professional development workshops and scientific sessions almost every year. This includes a session on a recent National Academies report I helped author, focused on advancing antiracism within STEMM. I have also been an advocate for SACNAS at my institutions. In 2018, I helped Yale students found our twice award-winning SACNAS Chapter and have served as faculty advisor since. I sponsored two team members to participate in the LPSLI and in 2022, I secured $45K for a conference silver sponsorship and coordinated Yale-wide recruitment efforts bringing a record-setting delegation. As Executive Director, I led Ciencia Puerto Rico to serve as cultural advisor for NDiSTEM in PR, helping SACNAS integrate Puerto Rican identities and culture into the conference. Last year, I received my highest honor when I received the SACNAS Outstanding Research and Professional Mentor Award.

In my younger years, as a new Executive Director, I had a pace-setting leadership style. I was able to establish a collaborative, trusting, and highly productive environment where we inspired each other to excel. In those days, my motto was “el tiempo no se tiene, se hace” or you don’t have time, you make time. I am still defined by my high work ethic and drive make things better, particularly when a mission is close to my heart. However, experience has taught me the importance of taking care of oneself and one’s team. These days, I also practice servant leadership, because if a team is not healthy, the organization, and its mission, suffer. One example has been my focus on growing the HR infrastructure and benefits for CienciaPR staff. In the past few years, we hired an Operations Officer, established position descriptions and ladders for growth, and identified benefits we can offer, even as a small nonprofit, including health reimbursements, funds for professional development, and mileage compensation for in-person meetings. It has also meant reshaping our all-hands meetings to integrate skill-building workshops and planning team retreats that feature nature excursions, art, and other fun activities to promote a positive environment.

At Yale, I have been PI of several NIH, NSF and private foundation grants (totaling $5.6M) focused on projects that promote participation of underrepresented minorities in science. These include an NIH-IPERT to support the Yale Ciencia Academy, which has provided professional development and community to 260 PhD students, and an NIH-SEPA to support a girls in STEM program in New Haven and Puerto Rico. As Chair of the Intersections Science Fellows Symposium, I surpassed fundraising goals two years in a row to host this large postdoc-to-faculty initiative by securing Burroughs Wellcome and Simons Foundation grants and establishing a consortium of institutional collaborators. Moreover, I secured $45K in Yale sponsorship for the 2022 SACNAS conference in Puerto Rico. As Executive Director, I have helped Ciencia Puerto Rico secure $10M in funding and in-kind services over the past decade and I established two annual crowdfunding events and a donor’s circle that feature inspiring narratives, communications plans, and well-crafted incentives. As Board member I would leverage my expertise and extensive network of funders and collaborators and would explore opportunities for establishing or enhancing donor and corporate funder circles. I would also explore collaborative opportunities with organizations like HACU and NIH/NSF funded programs.

A core responsibility of the Board is to help the organization be more effective and efficient in its mission and in the implementation of its strategic plan, thereby safeguarding its human and economic resources. But to be effective you need to take into account the organization’s context, assets, and challenges. I would bring to the Board an insider’s knowledge about how nonprofits run, how they can safeguard and make the most out of their resources and bring ideas for how to expand them. I also believe Board members must be stewards for the organization, prioritizing and listening to its members and championing its mission of equity and inclusion. This also means staying informed about the national context of policies and programs, providing guidance and advice to SACNAS to keep it adaptable as the landscape changes, and being an intentional and vocal advocate, using my spheres of influence to defend the principles of the organization.

As CienciaPR’s first Executive Director, I helped form its Board and served as a non-voting ex-officio member, working closely with the President to prepare information, financial reports, and materials. Because of this responsibility, along with my other roles at Yale, I have been selective with my service, particularly on the Boards of other nonprofits. I have thus sought opportunities where I could use my skills, connections or influence to benefit historically underserved communities. Since 2017, I have served on the Board of Arte, a nonprofit that serves the local Latine community, helping to fundraise (including donations from Yale) and connecting them with the Yale SACNAS chapter for outreach events. From 2016-2018, I was a member and Programming Subcommittee Chair of the American Society for Cell Biology’s Minority Affairs Committee, where I helped organize their annual Junior Faculty and Postdoc Workshop. Most recently, I became a member of the Boards of the Molecular Sciences Research Center, to help enhance research capacity and commercialization in Puerto Rico, and the Hispanic Access Foundation’s Senderos a la Ciencia NIH-SEPA project, to help them connect with local Latine role models. I also serve as an advisor to the nonprofit Cientifico Latino since its inception.

I have sought to leverage my spheres of influence to make an impact at a national level through my involvement in several committees, roles, and organizations. Since 2015, I have served as reviewer for NIH, NSF, and HHMI training and professional development programs and fellowships. I have served in two National Academies committees that have authored consensus reports on topics related to the diversity and inclusion and the scientific workforce. In 2018, I helped author “Breaking Through: The Next Generation of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences Researchers,” which collected recommendations for reducing barriers to independent research careers. In 2022, I was part of the committee that drafted “Advancing Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEM Organizations: A Consensus Study.” I presented both reports at SACNAS meetings to highlight findings and recommendations related to our community. In 2023, I was selected to be on the AAAS Empowering Career Pathways in STEMM Multidisciplinary Committee, which developed recommendations to address barriers to individuals entering STEMM and to retaining talent. I took this as an opportunity to advocate for recommendations related to empowering minority serving institutions, supporting postdocs and people with disabilities in science, and promoting institutional practices to prioritize effective mentoring and inclusion practices.

Interdisciplinarity has been a defining theme throughout my career, and my skills and experiences make me well-suited for this opportunity. My entrepreneurial mindset was recognized with the Director’s Award for Excellence in Innovation at the CDC. This award was a testament to my ability to leverage client-facing skills gained through Georgia Tech’s Venture Lab Southeast Regional Life Sciences Startup Accelerator Program, where I completed 100 face-to-face voice-of-customer interviews. These interviews provided valuable insights into client needs and exemplify my commitment to creating meaningful value and expanding system capabilities. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to further enhance the SACNAS brand.
I am deeply involved in several diversity-focused organizations, including SACNAS and NOBCChE. During my time at Coca-Cola, I expanded my advocacy for diversity as an executive committee member of the LGBT Business Resource Group (BRG) and was actively involved in the African-American, Hispanic Leadership, and (This)ability BRGs. My collaborative nature and experience in leading diverse, multipurpose teams have equipped me to partner effectively, manage large-scale client engagements, and develop strong relationships to serve SACNAS’ needs.

My background spans policy, business, and research across academic, government, and industry settings. This distinctive fusion of experiences enables me to take a holistic approach to problem-solving and contribute strategically to advancing SACNAS’s mission. My strong work ethic, self-motivation, and forward-thinking approach reflect the drive that is central to SACNAS.

I am a proud 2011 graduate of the Linton-Poodry SACNAS Leadership Institute and a 2017 graduate of the SACNAS-HHMI Advanced Leadership Institute. Since joining SACNAS in 2011, I have been unwavering in my commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. I have consistently served as a reviewer of abstracts and travel awards and as a judge at every conference I have attended. My dedication is further demonstrated by the impactful sessions I have hosted at the annual conference. These sessions include "Pauper to PhD: Financial Literacy for Scientists" (2017), "Stories from the Other Side of the Blurry Tunnel: It Gets Better After All!" (2013-2017), and "An Act of Translation: Transferring Your Research Skills into Something Meaningful to Society" (2016-2017). Each session was designed to empower and inspire underrepresented scientists. Most recently, I attended the 2023 NDiSTEM conference, where I had the privilege of mentoring students once again. This experience reaffirmed my dedication to supporting the next generation of diverse STEM leaders. My consistent involvement and leadership in SACNAS reflect my deep commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all in the STEM community.

During my chairship with the Georgia Local Section of the American Chemical Society (GA-ACS), one of my goals was to diversify the speaker pool and event topics. This initiative transformed events from purely technical lectures to engaging community-centered activities, rebranding GA-ACS in the Atlanta community. Embracing the strength of diversity in all its forms, a core ACS value and the essence of metro Atlanta, we hosted a wide array of events with a notably diverse set of speakers and topics. Our 28 events included technical talks, “bond-b-ques,” and science cafes. Notably, 65% of our speakers or event organizers were women, and 46% were persons of color, representing significant increases of about 20% in both metrics compared to previous years.

This experience underscored the importance of a diverse and inclusive mindset in advancing any organization. The success of this goal has inspired me to continue fostering community engagement and enhancing diversity and inclusion in all endeavors. My commitment to community and passion for science drive me to form genuine connections and create impactful experiences. As I often say, “There is something beautiful about unforced bonds; the energy is real.” This philosophy shapes my current leadership style, emphasizing collaboration, inclusivity, and authenticity.

While we receive annual funding from the national American Chemical Society (ACS), much of our work requires additional resources. To secure these, we applied for grants from ACS and collaborated with local businesses like Kimberly-Clark and The Coca-Cola Company to fund events. Hosting the Southeastern Regional Meeting of the ACS in 2013 was a significant success, allowing us to set aside $100K and use the dividend earnings for future activities.

Many companies and government agencies have foundations (e.g., The Coca-Cola Foundation, Georgia-Pacific Foundation, etc.) that offer grants. For instance, as a former employee of The Coca-Cola Company, I sought funding for the SACNAS conference for two consecutive years. In the first year, I had management’s support, but SACNAS did not act on the opportunity. By the following year, support waned due to company reorganization. It’s crucial to act quickly to maintain relationships and identify funding sources.

We should explore integrating entrepreneurship into SACNAS. I envision an annual innovation corner becoming a permanent conference feature within three years. Industry-sponsored challenges would let chapters prototype deliverables, with awards for winners. Additionally, initiatives like a SACNAS Hackathon, Start-up Accelerator Program, and Venture Lab could engage tech companies, boost visibility, and secure funding.

A core responsibility of a board member is to build and sustain trust within the organization. This foundational element is crucial because trust is the bedrock upon which all other aspects of governance and leadership are built. When board members effectively cultivate trust, they create an environment where members feel secure and valued, which fosters engagement, commitment, and a willingness to support and advance the organization's mission.
For instance, a key duty of the Emory Alumni Board is selecting the 11 alumni trustees. This decision carries significant weight, affecting strategic direction, fundraising efforts, and member involvement. The process of choosing trustees requires a deep level of trust in the board’s ability to make impactful and ethical decisions. If trust is maintained, it ensures that these decisions will resonate positively throughout the organization, leading to effective initiatives and successful outcomes.

Ultimately, board members must approach their roles with a spirit of selflessness, understanding that their contributions may not always be recognized immediately. Their focus should be on nurturing the organization’s growth and stability, ensuring its success for future generations. By prioritizing trust, board members lay the groundwork for sustained progress and long-term impact.

I have extensive experience in governance through my roles with several organizations. From 2016 to 2018, I served as Chair of the Georgia Local Section of the American Chemical Society (GA-ACS). In this role, I managed 1,900 members, oversaw six committees, and acted as the Section’s spokesperson nationally. My leadership led to the GA-ACS being recognized as ChemLuminary Award Finalists in five categories for 2017, including Outstanding On-going CCED Event and Best Overall Local Section Minority Affairs.

My ACS positions include(d):
Consultant to the Membership Affairs Committee (2018-2020)
Associate to the Committee on Minority Affairs (2018)Associate to the Committee on Science (2021)
Associate to the Committee on Public Relations and Communications (CPRC) (2022)
Full Voting Member of CPRC (2023-2025)

Additionally, I served on the Emory University Alumni Board (EAB) from 2018 to 2019 and rejoined in 2021-2027. The EAB advises the Emory Alumni Association and University, meeting regularly with the University President to represent alumni interests.

Currently, I am a founding board member of ADDSTEAM (2021-2024), an organization focused on advancing a diverse STEAM workforce, and The Hunter Institute (2021-2024), which supports diverse STEAM students.

I completed my succession (2016-2018) as Chair of the Georgia Local Section of the American Chemical Society (GA-ACS). In this role, I honed my project management skills by overseeing 1,900 members, managing six committees, delegating authority to other committee chairs, and serving as spokesperson for the Section on a national scale. With high emotional intelligence and excellent relationship-building skills, I collaborated with cross-functional partners and national leadership to understand section needs, provide vision, and make bold decisions. Under my leadership, the GA-ACS was nationally recognized as ChemLuminary Award Finalists in five categories for 2017 activities and events.

Additionally, I was appointed by consecutive ACS Presidents to multiple national committees:

• Consultant to the Membership Affairs Committee (2018-2020)
• Associate to the Committee on Minority Affairs (2018)
• Associate to the Committee on Science (2021)
• Associate to the Committee of Public Relations and Communications (CPRC) (2022)
• Member with full voting rights to the CPRC (2023-2025)
  
  From 2018-2019, I was a member of the Emory University Alumni Board (EAB) and have resumed my role (2021-2027). I am also a founding board member of ADDSTEAM and The Hunter Institute, leveraging $14,000 from the Cardinal Health Foundation for these organizations.

Serving on the SACNAS Board would be an opportunity to continuee serving the STEM by providing a multidisciplinary respective. My career journey exposed me to a number of different organizations, each with a unique approach to management, execution and engagement.  A trait shared between my previous roles is that service is a core value of each of the positions, a connection I didnt make until recently. My experiences in science engagement extend this value to my extracurricular activities. The honor of serving as a SACNAS Board member is a natural extension of that service. My current position also brings a different perspective to the board, as a representative of a nongovernmental organization. Serving on the Board also provides the opportunity to share nontraditional path with members of the Society, showing that one's career path need not be linear. My background as an interdisciplinary scientist, one with facilities management and science policy experience, prepared me to be comfortable conversing with a diverse membership. An effective Board member is one who combines their experiences with input from community members to act in the best interest of the Society, not the individual. The skills gathered through my career, project management, facilities management and directorship, basic and applied science research, grants management, science policy and experience in academia, federal government and laboratoriesn and philanthropies, give me a unique perspective that can contribute to helping SACNAS achieve its vision to strengthen and diversify the STEM ecosystem. Thank you for the opportunity

SACNAS Presentations Committee - 2016-2019
SACNAS Government Relations Subcommittee - 2020 - present
SACNAS Leadership Initiatives Subcommittee, member, 2024 - present
SACNAS DC Area Chapter founding committee, member, 2018
Biophysical Society Committee for Inclusion and Diversity, member, 2018-- 2024
Microscopy Society of American DEI Committee, member, 2022 - present
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship DEI Affinity Group, Co-chair, 2018 - 2019
Microscopy Society of American Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, founding member, 2022 - present
President, New Mexico Academy of Science, 2018

Collaborative. In organizations like SACNAS, where leadership and direction is provided by both permanent staff and transient officials (the officers and the Board), communication and recognition of different experiences, viewpoints and ideas is crucial for stability and for advancement. As a facility director, collaborative communication is necessary to maximize customers' benefit from the facilities. That includes education on techniques and instrumentation available, how that relates to users' previous experiences (like what they see in a journal), determing their level of participation in the imaging process i.e. pure fee for service versus some training aspects, and facility involvement in data curation. A user base consists of individuals with wide degrees of experience, so collaboration to quickly determine an approach beneficial to all parties is essential, and sets reasonable expectations immediately. Such a role also provides one with a broad overview of research activities both internal and external of an institution, making a director a potential initiator and facilitator of collaborations.

My fundraising experience is mainly in the form of research grants. I have been awarded, or been part of a team awarded, grants from the U. S. Air Force, NIH and NSF. For future fundraising, it may be useful to take a hybrid approach, engaging established organizations for long term support for ongoing projects (like our leadership initiatives and infrastructure support) and other entities like philanthropies and especially industry partners for shorter term support, such as grants to support the annual meeting. While SACNAS has traditionally been the recipient of many NIH grants, the current engagement efforts with the NSF are a good step to provide additional funding, and a broader portfolio of support. For shorter term opportunities it's important to remain engaged with representatives of these organizations, as opportunities may have dynamic lifetimes (arise quickly and end when economic fortunes change). A multifaceted approach to fundraising will establish a broader portfolio of support, providing greater financial stability.

Listening is a core responsibility of a Board member. While the composition of the Board represents several viewpoints and experiences, without engagement it is difficult to understand and address the needs and ideas of a diverse SACNAS membership. The Board members may not, through their own backgrounds, understand and represent the needs and knowledge of other society members. It's therefore important to engage members of those groups, have a conversation about their thoughts on what the state of SACNAS is, and their ideas on how the society can flourish. It is only through these conversations, and acting on the input gained through listening, that Board members can best represent the SACNISTA community, and achieve our goals of growing the community through expansion and representation of all aspects of the STEM profession, which will strengthen our goal to increase SACNAS' influence in diversifying the STEM (and STEAM) ecosystems.

Microscopy Society of America, Membership Committee, Chair, 2022- present - work with staff and other committee members to determine areas for engagement and membership growth.
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship DEI Affinity Group, Co-chair, 2018 - 2019, worked with Group to determine year's programming, organized presentations and symposia.
NCI Imaging Informatics Executive Committee, co-chair, 2018 - 2019, align with colleagues from different branches of the NCI to provide learning opportunities related to AI and informatics in medical imaging

New Mexico Academy of Science, President, 2018 - determined, with input from the Board, the focus areas of the Academy for the year, engaged with both the NM Jr. Academy of Science and their journal for input on topics of interest, determined focus areas of the Academy for the year, engaged outside organizations for alignment on public engagement in science opportunities.
University of New Mexico Electron Microscopy Users' Committee, Chair, 2000-2017, organized meetings of users of electron microscopes, facilitated engagements between scientists with similar interests.

Microscopy Society of America, Membership Committee, Chair, 2022- present, work with staff and other committee members to determine areas for engagement and membership growth.
Microscopy Society of America, DEI Committee, member, 2022 - present, suggest and facilititate planning of activities to highlight the work of scientists from underserved groups in the field of microscopy

AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships Alumni Task Force, member, 2020 - 2021, policy development for increased alumni engagement and networking
New Mexico Academy of Science, President, 2018, determine strategy focus for the year for the Academy, engage local organizations for networking on public engagement with science opportunities

Portal to the Public "Expanding the Framework" Advisory Committee, member, 2015 - 2018, provide direction and ideas for implementation of the Portal to the Public in additional fields (history, art)

AAAS Trellis Advisory Committee, member, 2015 - 2018, provide input and guidance on the AAAS's online platform, Trellis
National Cancer Institute, Imaging Informatics Executive Committee, co-chair, 2018 - 2019, align with colleagues from different NCI branches and other NIH Institues to provide learning opportunities related to AI and informatics in medical imaging.

If re-elected, I am eager to collaborate closely with the Board, CEO, and staff to advance our strategic plan. I am dedicated to enhancing SACNAS' visibility and impact through improved science communication and advocacy. My aim is to strengthen our presence in Congress and the broader community by championing underrepresented students, science education, and research. Additionally, I plan to foster deeper collaborations with other societies to enrich our programs and extend our reach.

With my extensive experience on the Board of Directors of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and a long-standing commitment to equity and inclusion, I bring valuable insights and leadership to the SACNAS Board. My dedication to serving diverse needs is reflected in my volunteer work, where I have actively contributed to various Task Forces, Working Groups, and Committees. My leadership extends from facilitating international networking to holding key positions at the local level, including chairing public affairs and science outreach initiatives, as well as serving as Faculty Advisor for the Chemistry Graduate Students Association, ACS Student Chapter and SACNAS Student Chapter of the University o9f Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus.</p><p>With 38 years of experience as an educator, I have refined my organizational and leadership skills. I am passionate, motivated, and committed to advancing SACNAS' mission. I respectfully ask for your support and vote, and I would be honored to continue working on your behalf.

During my first term as a SACNAS Board member, I have championed Diversity, Equity, and Representation (DER). For the past two years, I co-chaired the Conference Working Group, ensuring a diverse and balanced lineup of speakers.

Previously, as an ACS Board member (2013-2021), I was part of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) Working Group, which was formed in 2020 to drive sustainable DEIR strategies aligned with the ACS Strategic Plan’s inclusion goals. I also served as the liaison to the DEIR Advisory Board, addressing DEIR issues and collaborating with various committees and partner societies.

I have organized and led conferences and workshops on local, national, and international scales, focusing on underrepresented groups in STEM, mentoring, and support initiatives. Since 2016, I have worked with Ciencia-PR to support programs encouraging K-12 female students to enter STEM fields.

As the ACS Project SEED coordinator in Puerto Rico (2010-present), I provide research opportunities for economically disadvantaged high school students. Additionally, through my roles as a mentor for the ACS Scholars Program and Faculty Advisor for the ACS and SACNAS Student Chapters, I am dedicated to mentoring and inspiring future leaders in STEM.

I am committed to inclusive leadership, ensuring that every voice is heard and that everyone has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully. If re-elected, I will continue to bring my enthusiasm, passion, commitment, and extensive experience as a dedicated leader at both local and national levels to the SACNAS Board.</p><p>As a Latina in STEM, I have faced numerous obstacles and challenges. Over the years, I have overcome significant barriers and personal struggles, transforming these hardships into opportunities for growth and skill development. These experiences have strengthened my determination and enriched my character, reinforcing my commitment to opening doors for other women and promoting greater diversity in all its forms.

My focus is unwavering on my professional role, volunteer work, and mission to inspire others. As a professor, researcher, and faculty adviser for student organizations, I have had the privilege of mentoring a diverse range of students. These interactions have been immensely rewarding and continue to inspire my dedication to service and leadership.

Since 2010, I have coordinated the ACS Project SEED program at my institution, where I was responsible for fundraising to support participating students. I established key relationships and successfully secured donations from various organizations, including $16,000 from my institution, $10,000 from Lilly del Caribe, and $3,000 from Santander Bank. Additionally, I have raised funds for science outreach events that have positively impacted my local community. In both 2009 and 2022, as Program Chair for the SERMACS Regional Meeting, I exceeded fundraising goals, ensuring that the programming was fully supported and the events were highly successful.

SACNAS is making commendable strides in fundraising and should continue leveraging various social media platforms to expand its reach. Additionally, it’s crucial to persist in pursuing grant applications from federal agencies and foundations, as well as exploring opportunities for corporate sponsorships.

A Board member is crucial for providing strategic oversight and advancing the organization’s mission. This role requires a deep understanding of the organizational context, the ability to anticipate future challenges, and ensuring plans are adaptable and forward-thinking. Essential qualities include visionary leadership and trustworthiness.

Board members have fiduciary responsibilities, including safeguarding financial health by reviewing budgets, monitoring performance, and ensuring resource efficiency. They must uphold transparency and accountability.</p><p>They are also responsible for establishing and maintaining policies that ensure legal and ethical compliance. Board members must address challenges proactively and collaborate with fellow Board members, the CEO, staff, committees, student chapters, and other stakeholders to ensure a sustainable future.

Commitment to the strategic plan and fostering diversity is vital. Board members should act as ambassadors for the organization’s mission, build relationships that support its goals, and address key issues such as membership value, the success of the annual conference, and exploring new opportunities and collaborations to enhance programs and philanthropic efforts.

In the past two years as a SACNAS Board member, I co-chaired the Conference Working Group, focusing on diverse keynote and featured speakers for the NDSTEM Conference. Currently, as Chair of the Conference Subcommittee, I oversee Student Presentations, Distinguished Awards, and the Conference Working Group, striving to offer exceptional programming and recognition for all SACNAS members.

From 2013 to 2021, I served as a Director-at-Large on the ACS Board, contributing to key transitions such as selecting a new CEO, addressing pandemic issues, advancing diversity initiatives, and updating the strategic plan. As Board Globalization Liaison (2018-2019), I helped globalize ACS’s programs. I also held roles including Chair of the Committee on Professional Member Relations (2017), Web Strategy &amp; Innovation Subcommittee Chair (2014-2016), and served on the Task Force on Governance Design and the Development Advisory Board. I was a Volunteer Leader for the SEED Anniversary Appeal (2018).

Locally, I have led the ACS Puerto Rico Section as Chair multiple times and served in various roles, including Councilor and Project SEED Coordinator. With a 39-year career at the University of Puerto Rico, I’ve held administrative roles, led initiatives, and contributed to university-wide committees, demonstrating my commitment to collaboration and strategic advancement.

In 2019, as an American Chemical Society (ACS) Board member, I renewed a dormant MOU between SACNAS and ACS, collaborating with SACNAS and the ACS CEO. In 2022, I supported the NDISTEM organizing committee in Puerto Rico, establishing partnerships with local institutions and the University of Puerto Rico. Currently, I am working with SACNAS members in Puerto Rico to form a professional chapter.

I founded the Chemistry Festival, which ACS adopted in 2015 and has since reached over 45 countries. I developed resources, led training sessions, and organized events. I also co-founded the ACS Spanish Webinars program with the Mexican Chemical Society.

In 2011, I led the ACS challenge “Are Women Still Underrepresented in Science?” at the IUPAC World Congress, a program that highlights women’s contributions to chemistry and was later adopted as an IUPAC award program in 2013.

My leadership roles within the ACS Puerto Rico Section include building strategic relationships with other societies, educational institutions, non-profits, and government agencies. I also served as General Chair for the successful ACS Southeast Regional Meetings (SERMACS) in 2009 and 2022.

I seek the opportunity to serve on the SACNAS Board of Directors because I believe deeply in the SACNAS mission and want to leverage my experience on national scientific organizations to better serve this organization on a national scale. We find ourselves at a national and critical moment when new challenges arise for organization committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). I want to apply my leadership skills and knowledge in the scientific research enterprise to meet those challenges and ensure future generations of SACNISTAs will always find success and inclusiveness in the STEM fields. My talents go beyond my scientific&nbsp;knowledge, they also consist in establishing genuine relationships with people. I believe science and its progress to be motivated more by collaboration than by competition. This philosophy has allowed me to establish long-term national and international collaborations on scientific research. I also know how to build successful teams where the synergy and resonance within the team make the whole team larger than the individual sum of its members. I want to apply this team building experience at a national level with SACNAS. Finally, I want to ensure that our young people have the same opportunities I had as a Chicano student from a rural community in West Texas. We have that responsibility now as established and successful members in our own respective fields to reach out and make sure the key opportunities do not miss the young people from our communities.

For the past 12 years as faculty, I have attended the SACNAS NDiSTEM meetings to recruit students to our graduate programs at UMD. I became much more involved in the organization, however, in 2021. That year, I wrote an internal proposal to raise nearly $30,000 to reboot our local chapter. The pandemic had devastated student groups on campus, and SACNAS was no different. Along with my colleague in Entomology, Prof. Anahi Espindola, we were able to raise the funds from our college and various departmental units. As co-advisers to a dedicated group of students and postdocs, we became an officially recognized chapter this year. Within my own department, I have been a member of the newly formed Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Climate (CDEC). My role as a faculty member on the committee has been to work with the staff, student, and postdoc members to improve the climate within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for everyone, especially that of Black students and staff but also other underrepresented groups. One of the concrete ways in which we have done this is by having CDEC interview all faculty candidates this past year.

The first is on the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Physics (AIP). AIP is best understood as a society of physical science societies. As such, AIP’s Board consists of Directors from a variety of sciences, from the American Association of Physics Teachers to the American Meteorological Society. There are overall 10 societies represented by AIP, so the Board of Directors has people serving with very different perspectives and leadership positions within their own organizations. I learned early on how the first board meetings had to be spent really getting to know the organization and hearing all the different voices at the table—listening to their needs, concerns, aspirations, and long-term goals. Once I understood enough, then I engaged through questions that reveal the most to me, i.e., the research phase. I understand meeting time together is limited, so it must be economical, efficient, and decisive. I learned how to help move the agenda along and not detract from it while listening to a wide array of opinions and perspectives. In summary, my leadership style in such teams is to first observe, then research, and finally offer the most informed and useful guidance to the group.

As the principal investigator for my research group, most of my fundraising has focused on grant proposal writing. I have been very successful in writing winning grants from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Defense. Overall, I have a good sense of how to diversify one’s research portfolio in order to have strong funding levels across multiple federal agencies. I have successfully leveraged this diversification strategy to keep my research group well-funded for the past 12 years, supporting students as research assistants and hiring young postdoctoral scientists. Fundraising from private donors is a new venture that I would like to explore more as a board member at SACNAS. I believe the SACNAS mission is a strong one, and I would be interested in exploring how tech companies throughout the US can contribute more to meeting this mission through their financial support. Establishing a foundation ourselves could be the most flexible and effective way to do this, and focusing on student success in STEM could be a way to strengthen partnerships with donors and potential donors.

The Board’s primary duty to the organization it serves is to practice its fiduciary responsibilities. It is important that the organization is run in a financially sound manner and that it adheres to its governance structure. Our role as Board members is not only to the current community, we serve but to the future generations of SACNISTAs. We have to ensure the long-term stability and health of the organization. Exercising our fiduciary responsibilities means engagement with the organization, with its staff members, and also through its committee structures. Board members also have the unique role of being thought leaders within the organization. We must have a good understanding of where SACNAS fits in the ecosystem of scientific societies and affinity group associations. We must also be aware of local, national, and international events, and offer our guidance in light of such forces to ensure that the organization can thrive under any incoming circumstances. Finally, Board members should offer new ideas and directions for the organization to ensure that it adapts year-by-year to the needs of its members.

I was appointed to the AIP Board in 2019, and I will complete my final term in 2024. The AIP Board consists of Directors from 10 different scientific societies, and my appointment was made by the American Crystallographic Council. At AIP, I join three in-person board meetings per year, an annual retreat, and two virtual board meetings per year. I also serve on the membership committee and the bylaws committee. At the Neutron Scattering Society of America, I serve as the Membership Committee, which is a 3-year appointment. Here, I send out messages on conferences, scholarships, and other neutron science news to our 1,200 members. I curate our membership roster and try to keep it up to date. We meet virtually every month. In 2020 I was elected to the US National Committee on Crystallography, and was reelected this year for another 3-year term. At the USNCCr, I was the chair of the public relations committee. We meet virtually 3 times a year, and for the subcommittee meetings more than that. We also meet in-person annually at the crystallography meeting.

I have served on executive teams and leadership positions at a national level for the past 5 years. I was a member of the Board of Directors for the American Institute of Physics from 2019 to 2024. There, I learned about fiduciary duties the Directors must exercise to ensure this important non-profit organization remains financially stable and relevant to the physical sciences in the long-term. I have also served as Membership Secretary for the Neutron Scattering Society of America, and as a member of the US National Committee on Crystallography, which is a committee appointed by the National Academy of Sciences. I was elected nationally for both positions. In these roles, I think strategically about the organization and the community of scientists it serves. We listen to them on topics of membership, conferences, publishing, mentorship, diversity, and inclusion. I help come up with solutions for improving the public’s appreciation of the science we do and why it remains important to keep investing in such fields. I have a fantastic working relationship not only within these organizations but also with our partners outside academia, which include industry and national laboratories.

Like many children of immigrants in this country, unfortunately, my family was devastated with the news that my mother was being deported when I was 12, uprooting our lives in a way I didn’t know was possible. I had to cross the border every day at 4AM to go to high school in the states after transferring from México, and I often finished homework under candlelight. As a first-generation Mexican American and a first-generation college student, the SACNAS mission to help disadvantaged scientists reach their maximal potential resonates deeply with me. Through SACNAS, I have found lifelong mentors and support which have enabled my pursuit of higher education despite the additional barriers I faced. The ongoing challenge is to enable persons from diverse backgrounds, and especially those from underserved low socioeconomic status communities, to thrive in the sciences despite obstacles. To this end, one of my core missions in STEM is to instantiate programs which invite URMs interested in obtaining STEM degrees to STEM research programs and provide support throughout their development in STEM, so that they may feel welcomed and secure about their decision to pursue a STEM career. I believe that my personal experience coming from a disadvantaged background, as well as my skills with public speaking, fundraising, and collaboration-starting are strengths that would allow me to accomplish this. Serving on the National Board would be an honor, and importantly, this responsibility would advance my ability to help many more people from backgrounds and experiences like my own.

I’m currently Chair of the DEI Committee in the Pharmacology Department at Vanderbilt, and the co-founding Secretary of the Vanderbilt SACNAS Chapter, which have been very active on campus instituting activities which help URMs on campus feel welcomed. I’ve been an outspoken advocate for DEI at international and national levels through participation in interviews where I’ve shared my personal motivations for my DEI work (https://jczepeda.com/blog/). Prior to grad school, I joined the SACNAS Chapter at the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2017 as a general member, and from 2019 to 2020 I served as co-coordinator of our Chapter. I worked closely with leadership to organize our inaugural Ciencia y Arte event. This event centered around the exhibition of spoken, written, and painted art produced by various diverse scientists and non-STEM members of our campus community. In 2018 I became the VP of our school's ASBMB Chapter, then President from 2019-2020. Under my leadership, we collaborated with a local, and underfunded, middle school in Boston to host students on campus to perform experiments and interact with diverse scientists. I have a long record of service in DEI which can be found on my CV (https://zepedajc.com/science-cv/)

My leadership style is one which focuses on garnering the strengths of individual members to together create a competent and productive team. I've always made it a point to conclude meetings with tangible action items that could be if not accomplished before the next gathering, could at least be deconstructed into smaller feasible goals. In my experience, tactics such as these bolster productivity while ensuring that the team is focused but not overwhelmed. UMass Boston is the most diverse university in Boston, and during my tenure I had the privilege of working with people coming from all sorts of backgrounds and experiences. Whenever there was a difference in point of view, I always ensured that the matter of contention would be discussed in a way so that even if solid conclusions were not met, that at least everyone at the table was able to understand the difference in position and appreciate that most things are multidimensional. In my view, it is important to include everyone and together construct a functional team which celebrates our differences and strengths.

At UMass Boston we collaborated closely with organizations which resonated with our mission, such as the The Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy. These collaborations were built over years and stemmed from various SACNAS members participating in other communities such as Casa Latinx, for which I was a general member and served as a keynote speaker for the UndocuGrad ceremony in 2019. I helped lead a team of poets who competed in the 2018 Collegiate Union Poetry Slam Invitational. Funding our participation was difficult, but we created chapbooks that we sold at local poetry shops and venues. Additionally, we created a GoFundMe that we shared on our social media. Our SACNAS Chapter has sold merchandise and we have partnered with Krispy Creme so that a percentage of proceeds goes to us. I believe that my experience in fostering relationships with other organizations and my ability to use my platform as a poet-scientist could help in fundraising activities. Creating events where art can be sold and donations can be made has proved successful, and I believe that providing University Chapters with guidance on how to host these events could prove beneficial.

I believe that one of the most crucial responsibilities of a board member is to have a clear and shared mission which is accompanied by a strong set of goals, tangibles, and work ethic, that will allow the member to advance their mission. In my various leadership roles, I have made sure to establish activities and milestones which advance my vision within an organization, all of which to date have centered around combating the evils of racism and colorism in preventing the advancement of URMs in American society. This has been accomplished through various strategies, first: leading strong executive boards consisting of members who share a common vision and demonstrate dedication to the organization, second: leading by example and always putting in the extra work and effort always when necessary, third: recognizing that I can’t do everything on my own and delegating tasks strategically to work the strengths of each member. I believe that these principles have allowed me to be successful in the various organizations which I have participated in and I would be honored to apply my experience into one of the organizations which is most important to me.

DEI Committee Chair - Pharmacology, Vanderbilt, 2024-Present (General member 2022-2024)
Organizes meetings and activities advancing DEI on campus, including but not limited to: creating gender neutral signage for single-use bathrooms on campus, inviting DEI leaders to give talks, a monthly luncheon for URMs in the department. 

Director of Education and Qualifying Exam Committee Member, Pharmacology - 2022-2024
Organized activities for students that help them succeed academically in our program. Helped draft our new qualifying exam format and oversees the preparation of trainees taking the exam. 

Vice President, Pharmacology GSA -2022-2023
Organization of various Pharmacology Department activities including but not limited to: our annual Vanderbilt/Meharry Pharmacology retreat, Pharmacology student-invited Forum, Pharmacology social events.

Co-founder/Secretary - SACNAS Vanderbilt Chapter, 2023-Present
Aids the President in various initiatives across campus, including monthly Café con Ciencia events where we invite faculty on campus to share their experiences navigating academia and more.

Co-coordinator, SACNAS UMass Boston Chapter, 2017-2020
Planned meetings and diversity in science events throughout the semester, including our first Ciencia y Arte event.

President, ASBMB UMass Boston Chapter, 2017-2020
Led biweekly journal clubs and professional development workshops. Planned Outreach event every semester inviting middle-schoolers from a local underserved middle school for scientific activities and mentoring.

Before taking leadership roles in STEM-related Chapters on campus, I was President of the UMass Boston Poetry Club. In 2018 our club sent a team, of which I was part of, to the Collegiate Union Poetry Slam Invitational at Temple University, for which our team placed as semi-finalist among 72 international teams. Our team's poems were strongly centered on political advocacy against racism, colorism, and economic classism against BIPOC persons. Since then, I have participated in interviews held by national and international societies to speak out against discrimination against URMs in STEM. As a member of my school's IMSD program, in collaboration with other members I oversee a summer program which invites 6 high schoolers from across the nation each year to gain experience in research and professional development. I have participated in the recruitment and selection of the students as well as the development of their curriculum. I have also participated in various panels at national conferences, and various symposia and events at other universities across the country, where I have been able to share my personal experiences and passion for a better future for URMs in science at the national level.