We reached out to three Drexel students, who are all deeply involved in the Academy, to hear more about the importance of their cultural identities and the role it plays in helping to shape and support their scientific aspirations.
Hannah Dominguez
BS in environmental science, minor in DragonsTeach STEM education
Curatorial and Research Assistant in the Diatom Herbarium
I am Peruvian and Mexican, originally from New York. My cultural identity has definitely shaped who I am. When I arrived at Drexel, I was surprised at the lack of Latine/Hispanic students on campus, let alone in STEM-related majors. I was not aware of the barriers that people in my cultural community faced in higher academia. At first, I felt isolated and experienced imposter syndrome. Very few people in my family have pursued careers in STEM or have built generational education. My parents both immigrated to this country to create a better life for our family’s future generations. I feel it is my responsibility to help pave a path and act as a role model for people in my family and the Latine/Hispanic community.
I have always been interested in nature, ecology and conservation since I was a child. But I did not realize it was a true passion of mine until I volunteered at the Bronx Zoo when I was 16. I was surrounded by people my age who were committed to protecting nature and teaching the public about environmental issues. My time as a volunteer has definitely influenced my studies and has inspired me to connect natural sciences and science education in my career.
Last summer I had the opportunity to take a tropical field studies course in Ecuador. I got to experience the Amazon rainforest and Andes mountains. It truly was a life changing experience getting to see wildlife up close, in action, and thriving. What stood out to me was getting to learn from Ecuadorian scientists and naturalists, communicate with them in Spanish and hear about their experiences in the field. Although they did not study or work in the United States, it was comforting seeing people who look like me in the STEM industry.
This is my first co-op! I love learning about diatoms and their role in the environment, especially since I did not know much about them before. Scientific research has always seemed overwhelming to me, but this co-op opportunity has reassured me about the research process. I get to contribute my new laboratory and microscopy skills to current projects which makes me feel like a real scientist!
Nathan Nazario
BA in history, minor in education
Research Associate for the Library & Archives and Collection Assistant for the Dept of Invertebrate Paleontology
In the past, I have faced prejudice due to having a Hispanic background and this led to me wanting to beat the odds and strive for more. However, the Academy has been an institution where I have become the best version of myself, as the people here truly have made me feel welcomed and gave me opportunities I didn’t know were possible.
Here, as I grow as a researcher, I have been able to be a part of the Academy community and present my Latin American research, which the people here have given me wonderful suggestions and truly want to help make my work known. With my community back home in North Philadelphia, I have learned to never back down from what I believe in and to keep breaking down barriers because our voices need to be heard. With that, I’ve been able to take up different roles in the Academy, such as research and teaching, because our story needs to be told.
My co-op experiences have helped me better learn about the impact Latin America has had on the Academy. Now more than ever with the help of many departments in the Academy and my findings in the Library & Archives, I feel as though we have made a great impact showing and representing Latin America as more students such as myself and others from places such as Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and many more researching in collections.
One example of Latin support was when I started working with the Olsson Invertebrate South American fossil collection. This was only possible with the help of my Collection Manager Alejandra Martinez-Melo, PhD, who allowed me to continue my research on Latin American collections in the Academy.
As I continue researching and presenting my work to all types of audiences, I hope that my work can enrich their knowledge of what we have to offer and how this is a topic that can allow people all around to learn more.
Victoria Rodríguez Villarreal
BS in public health, double minor in social entrepreneurship and climate change
Science Shop Co-op at the Academy
Growing up in Nuevo León, Mexico — a northeastern state characterized as an industrial hub with heavy industries and international manufacturers — it was my early experience of the environmental challenges surrounding us. These heavy industries owning private wells that consume around 54% of the water available for residents, which derived from periods of water shortages, highlighted the pressing need for sustainable management infrastructure and policy, highlighting my awareness of environmental justice from a young age.
Living in a multigenerational home with my parents, grandparents and twin brother, I experienced a profound sense of family unity and intergenerational support; my grandparents, in particular, taught me the value of shared knowledge and the importance of giving back to the community a value embedded in our family motto: “regresar un poquito de lo que nos han dado a montones” (give back of what we have received abundantly).
My mother has been a profound role model; her journey from being a first-generation high school and college graduate to becoming one of the few women in Mexico to hold an executive position as a Chief Information Officer exemplifies resilience, leadership, and dedication. Inspired by her example, I joined her in establishing “Cumpliendo Sueños,” a community initiative that embodies our family’s ethos. The project began when my mother, on her 40th birthday, wanted all our friends and family to support our local center. This evolved into a transformative community event — a 5K race where participants could support children’s education by becoming their “godparents,” providing them with school supplies and backpacks for the upcoming school year. These experiences have collectively fostered a responsibility toward environmental stewardship and community service.
During my co-op experience, I’ve loved engaging with direct community-facing projects emphasizing community-building through the Science Shop model. This approach makes the work more impactful and highlights the importance of integrating community perspectives throughout all stages of the research, from co-creating the research question to implementing solutions.
I also appreciate being part of a team that is actively thinking about the community’s connection as environmental stewards of the land and the importance of working to build capacity and enhance community resilience. For a long time, academic and research institutions have often failed to acknowledge and dress their shortcomings and wrongdoings. However, I believe this is a step forward, and I’m excited that I was part of this process of a community-based research model of transparency and collaboration between institutions and community-based organizations to address environmental issues. It’s inspiring to be part of this process, where the focus is on genuine partnership rather than top-down approaches.
Finally, connecting with different nonprofits, community-based organizations (CBOs), and RCOs has been incredible. Learning all about their diverse projects, how they engage with their community, and their definition of environmental justice has broadened my perspective. Each organization offers a different insight into what it means to work toward a just and equitable environment and the range of existing environmental challenges they face.
Join us September 27 at our upcoming Dinos After Dark celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and meet some of these inspiring young scientists and leaders!