SANTA CRUZ, CA — Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) awarded 82 graduate and undergraduate underrepresented minority (URM) students for their research and presentation skills at 2019 SACNAS – The National Diversity in STEM Conference held in Honolulu from October 31 through November 2. The Presentation Awards recognize the next generation of underrepresented scientists and STEM leaders while giving visibility to their research and home institutions. The awards also encourage students to continue pursuing the STEM fields.
“The SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference partners with institutions by providing a venue where students and professionals are able to enhance their science communication skills. As a multidisciplinary scientific society, the opportunity to present research to a general scientific audience fosters skills needed to not only build public support for science but also ensure that science is accessible to everyone. Through the Presentation Awards, we recognize and celebrate presenters that make STEM inclusive,” said SACNAS President Dr. Sonia Zárate.
2019 SACNAS – The National Diversity in STEM Conference Presentation Awardees are as follows:
Astronomy and Astrophysics & Environmental Science
Erica Molnar-Bufanda, University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa
Chemistry, Physical Chemistry
Ariel Nessl, University of Southern California
Computer & Information Sciences, Mathematics
Latha Saradha, Northeastern Illinois University
Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Hyunjin Kim, University of California, Santa Barbara
Earth Science, Marine Science & Other Geoscience
Michelle Herrera, University of California, Irvine
Life Sciences, Biochemistry
Allyson Langley, The Ohio State University
Public Health, Medicine & Pharmacology
Tannia Lau, University of California, Santa Cruz
Life Sciences, Cancer Biology
Jocelyn Rodriguez, California State University, Los Angeles
Life Sciences, Cell/Molecular Biology
Melissa Roberts, University of California, Berkeley
Life Sciences, Cell/Molecular Biology & Developmental Biology
Stephanie L. Silva-Del Toro, University of Iowa
Life Sciences, Genetics & Physiology/Pathology
Nicholas Carleson, Oregon State University
Life Sciences, Ecology/Evolutionary Biology
Ariel Heyman, California State University, Fullerton
Life Sciences, Microbiology
Priscila Guzman, Kansas State University
Life Sciences, Microbiology
Shaun Cross, Colorado State University
Life Sciences, Ecology/Evolutionary Biology & Plant Sciences/Botany
Reyes Murrieta, Colorado State University
Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry & Other
Regina Trevino, The Ohio State University
Mathematical Biology & Other Life Sciences
Kyle Dahlin, Purdue University
Professional Fields, STEM Education & Learning, Animal Sciences/Zoology
Victoria Jimenez, Weill Cornell Medical College
Chemistry
Daniel Aguirre, New Mexico State University
Valeria Reyes, University of San Diego
Annie Fritz, Northeastern Illinois University
Alyssa Marie Rivera, California State University, Fresno
Daniel Martinez, University of Texas at San Antonio
Shaina Nguyen, California State University, Fullerton
Computer & Information Sciences
Elizaveta Atalig, Wesleyan University
Lucas Encarnacion-Rivera, Emory University
Engineering
Safi Mohammed, University of California, Berkeley
Aranza Barreda, University of Kansas
Larry Moore, Dine College
Ashley Santana, University of Central Florida
Geoscience
Ciara Dorsay, University of California, Berkeley
Junellie Gonzalez Quiles, Johns Hopkins University
Health
Micah Lawrence, University of California, Irvine
Sean Hernandez, California State University, San Marcos
Sarah Singh, University of California, Irvine
Natasha Morales, Boston University
Samantha Hernandez, University of California
Life Sciences, Animal Sciences/Zoology
Madison Granduke, Valencia College
Life Sciences, Biochemistry
Alexandra Strom, San Diego State University
James Chang, University of Central Florida
Roman Meza, University of California, Irvine
Alyssa Miller, Miami University
Life Sciences, Biology
Isabella Terrazas, New Mexico State University
Life Sciences, Cancer Biology
Jacob Brooks, Howard University
Daisy Palomera, University of California, Los Angeles
Life Sciences, Cell/Molecular Biology
Hai Pham, University of Houston
John Francois, City University of New York
Valery Aguilera Ortiz, Monterey Peninsula College
David Sanchez Godinez, University of California, Santa Cruz
Adrian Barrera-Velasquez, San Francisco State University
Cuauhtemoc Ramirez, University of California, Irvine
Life Sciences, Developmental Biology
Nikolas Morrison-Welch, California State University
Life Sciences, Ecology/Evolutionary Biology
Katherine Montana, University of California, Berkeley
Valerie Brewer, New Mexico State University
Life Sciences, Environmental Science
Paola Negrón-Moreno, University of Puerto Rico, Cayey
Rainee DeRoin, Oklahoma State University
Yakaiyastai Gorman, Northwest Indian College
Life Sciences, Genetics
Carmelle Catamura, University of California, Santa Cruz
Isaryhia Rodríguez, University of California, Irvine
Life Sciences, Marine Sciences
Marisa Thompson, California State University, Monterey Bay
Megan Salomonson, California State University, Monterey Bay
Mayra A. Silva, California State University, Fullerton
Life Sciences, Microbiology
Shania Sanchez, The University of New Mexico
Marissa Duckett, University of Kansas
Sokleng Kelly Leong, Skyline College
Jessica O’Berry, University of Texas at San Antonio
Life Sciences, Neurosciences
Marlyn Torres, Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research
Matthew Mitchel, Midwestern State University
Lilian Rose, University of California, San Diego
Materials Research
Anne Cardenas, University of California, San Diego
Mathematics
Howard Weatherspoon, Albany State University
Jan Tracy Camacho, University of California, Davis
Scott Cleven, University of Iowa
Alayt Abraham Issak, The College of Wooster
Physics & Astronomy
Lauren Lugo, Haverford College
Ekram Towsif, Wesleyan University
Psychology
Gerardo Sandoval, California State University, Fullerton
Sergio A. Ruvalcaba, Pomona College
Paola Montufar Soria, University of Texas at San Antonio
Social Sciences
Riva Silver, New Mexico State University
Divya Batchu, The Ohio State University
Traditional Knowledge
Sheri Marzan, Kapi’olani Community College
Click here to download the full 2019 SACNAS conference Student Research Presentation Abstract Book.
ABOUT 2019 SACNAS – THE NATIONAL DIVERSITY IN STEM CONFERENCE
The largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the country, 2019 SACNAS – The National Diversity in STEM Conference serves to equip, empower, and energize participants for their academic and professional paths in STEM. From October 31 to November 2, 2019, college-level through professional attendees are immersed in cutting-edge scientific research and professional development sessions, motivational keynote speakers, a Graduate School & Career Expo Hall, multicultural celebrations, and an inclusive and welcoming community of peers, mentors, and role models. The conference is a training ground for the next generation of diverse STEM professionals, aiming to level the playing field for first-generation college students of color through mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.2019sacnas.org/.
ABOUT SACNAS
For over 46 years, SACNAS has served as an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanics & Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership within STEM.
Today, the organization serves a growing community of over 20,000 supporters, 6,000+ members, and 115+ student and professional chapters throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. SACNAS influences the STEM diversity movement through STEM outreach & advocacy, promotion of STEM leaders, and The SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference. Learn more about SACNAS at sacnas.org, Facebook, or Twitter.