Chemistry

Biographical Info

What motivated you to excel at UF?

As an alumna, I would say what motivated me was God and my immediate community (PI – Dr. Fanucci, peers such as Dr. Esquiaqui and Dr. De Vera, mentors – Dr. Donnelly, Mrs. Brown-Williams, The Vellekamps, my family, and other peers). Each were crucial in reminding me of who I am, my love for chemistry and appreciation for scientific inquiry as a whole.

What are your career goals?

My career goals are currently to continue training future scientists to develop innovative solutions to real world problems. I love teaching students to be critical thinkers and to see challenges as opportunities to bring their unique skillsets and creativity to navigate those challenges.

What does community mean to you?

Community was critical to staying the course. Grad school posed a major challenge for me in many ways. Not only because I clearly was a minority but because I was seen through a lens of limitations versus potential. I had a professor even tell me I would never graduate with a doctorate. Having a strong community of support and a network even beyond the academic realm helped me to remember why I was there.