Minority/BIPOC Students in STEM Scholarship

I envision a future in which everyone has equal access to cannot clean air, waterways, and soil. Through my advocacy, journalism, and research I seek to dismantle the pillars of racism, sexism, and classism, all branches of the same tree I call environmental injustice.. Because until every human’s well-being is valued equally, somebody will experience contaminated water, air, or soil. Growing up with a single immigrant mother meant that finances were tight and sometimes that meant our housing situation was unstable. We moved from city to city, and my mother constantly looked for a stable place for us to call home. Moving so much meant I saw the contrast of the world. On one side of New York City, there were high rises, fancy buildings, and easy access to green spaces. But on the other side, such as the Projects my family frequented whenever times got tough, there were none of those same resources. Moving to Georgia, I observed the same pattern. At the time, I didn’t have the language or understanding to know that this was environmental injustice, it was simply a fact of life I observed. These early experiences, combined with my passion for science, have driven me to pursue a career where I can bridge research and advocacy to address climate change and environmental injustice. As a young Black woman in environmental science, I understand the barriers that exist for people of color such as myself. I am committed to using my voice to ensure that communities like mine are not only heard but empowered. I dream of a world where every child, regardless of zip code, can experience pristine parks, clean air, and environmental safety. Through research, advocacy, and policy engagement, I will continue working toward that reality. Taking classes in environmental justice and Indigenous sovereignty gave me the vocabulary to describe my experiences and taught me about the intersection between racism and climate change. Outside of my courses, I interned with two environmental justice-focused programs: Beyond Toxics, a non-profit dedicated to creating environmental justice within Oregon, and Just Futures, an organization focused on water justice and anti-racism. These were very impactful experiences, as I saw firsthand the challenges marginalized people face for their basic rights like access to water or clean air. It highlighted for me that climate change is a societal issue as much as it is an ecological issue. Today, my career goal is to work as an environmental scientist for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), researching climate change intersections with marginalized communities. I plan on attaining a Ph.D in environmental science to deepen my understanding of climate science. Currently, I work in Dr. Hallett’s lab. I started working with a graduate student on their research project investigating plant interactions under different plant densities, water levels, and different soil microbial communities. I hypothesized that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) colonization in plant roots could change with plant density and water level. After receiving summer funding from the McNair program, I planned a summer project that included detailed root collection, staining plant matter, and quantifying AMF colonization through the microscope. At the end of the summer, I presented my preliminary results at the National McNair Research Conference at UCLA. I look forward to publishing my findings in my university’s science journal and presenting my official results at the University of Oregon Research Symposium. Next summer, I will be conducting similar research at Cornell’s Boyce Thompson Institute, expanding my understanding of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and its ability to help plants tackle climate change.