"Growing up I always dreamed of becoming a scientist, but as a first-generation college student I didn’t know how to accomplish that dream. No one in my family had been to college and working at a national laboratory seemed impossible. Everything changed when I joined the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) through NNSA’s Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program.
The program gave me the courage I needed to apply to graduate school. Mentors like Tommy Rockward and other research students inspired me to fulfill my childhood dream. After working on projects with LANL and Navajo Technical University (NTU) I knew I wanted to specialize in Biomedical Engineering.
One of my proudest moments with the program was an opportunity to present at a symposium for graduate students at Arizona State University. I was nervous to present in front of graduate students on Electrochemistry. However, after my presentation, I was approached by students that told me they appreciated the way I broke down my poster so they could understand the theory. It was rewarding to hear.
Looking forward I want to become a mentor and advisor to upcoming scholars, especially to students from my alma mater at NTU. MSIPP helped prepare me for my future by giving me the experience working in a lab, connecting me with mentors who’ve guided me, and giving me the confidence to reach my dreams."