My research interests have always been in relation to gender and diversity in various cultural contexts. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degrees at University of Central Florida in anthropology and psychology, as these were disciplines that allowed me to focus on those interests in a way that was applicable in many areas. Ultimately, I pursued my doctoral degree in anthropology, the study of human culture, at Texas A&M University. I earned my PhD in 2013 and I have taught over 10 years in higher education in the USA and Australia. But, I am very new to the technology field!
My new and exciting role began in early 2016, through a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Diversity Research Fellowship. This program provides industry experience to academics from underrepresented populations, and I was fortunate to be recruited as a Senior Research Scientist by a small education technology company called TutorGen, Inc. Since then, I have completed basic programming classes in order to familiarize myself with the work that is taking place within and outside of our business. I have also become increasingly involved with outreach efforts to promote diversity in STEM fields – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Among these efforts was the NCWIT Aspirations in Technology Awards, which led to my involvement with TECHNOLOchicas.
National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Diversity Research Fellow and Senior Research Scientist at TutorGen, Inc.
Science and technology are becoming increasingly essential areas of work in our world. As such, I believe that it is important for everyone to have a basic understanding of their significance. But, for girls and Latin@s, in particular, I recommend exploring careers in science and technology for several reasons: 1) those of us living in the USA have resources at our disposal to pursue an education in these fields – I am an example that taking advantage of those resources can lead to rewarding opportunities and a successful profession; 2) these are exciting and rewarding fields and we have the mental capacity and skills necessary to pursue them and effect positive change in them; and 3) these areas have a daily impact on our lives as individuals, as a community, and as a species, and we need to have an input in their development and application – we need to be a part of the solution to existing problems and future challenges.
