I began my educational journey in the United States at South Seattle College. Originally from Brazil, I moved to Washington State in 2019 as part of a work-study exchange program. Back in Brazil, I didn’t have the opportunity to attend college because I had to start working full-time immediately after high school to support my family financially. For years, I focused on providing for my loved ones, setting aside my personal aspirations. However, in 2022, I made the life-changing decision to invest in my education and pursue a career for the first time. It wasn’t an easy choice. At nearly 30 years old, I was a first-generation immigrant and also the first generation in my family to pursue higher education. On top of these challenges, I was navigating this experience in my second language. Yet, I embraced these obstacles, driven by a long-standing passion for designing systems that prioritize efficiency, inclusivity, and accessibility. This passion ultimately led me to choose Industrial Engineering as my major. Industrial Engineering appeals to me because it offers a unique lens through which I can analyze and improve complex systems. I want to leverage technology and innovation to serve diverse populations and address disparities. This aspiration stems from my belief that engineering should not only solve problems but also break down barriers and make solutions accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. My journey took an exciting turn when I was introduced to undergraduate research. I became involved in a project focusing on diversity and equity in physics with the physics department, and I have been working with the department since the fall of 2023. Additionally, I started working as a tutor at the college’s Math and Science Tutoring (MAST) Center and as an in-class tutor for physics courses. These roles, which began in the same quarter, allowed me to connect with students from diverse backgrounds and observe the challenges they face firsthand. As a Latina woman in STEM, I found that many of my experiences mirrored those of the students I was helping. While assisting them, I noticed the barriers that underrepresented groups often face in STEM fields. These barriers include implicit biases, stereotypes, and a lack of culturally responsive teaching practices. During my first year of research, I delved into understanding how students perceive physics and how their cultural backgrounds influence their sense of physics. This work led to the publication of my first research paper, titled “Students Attribute Myriad Cultural Factors to Their Sense of Physics,” in PER-Central during the summer of 2024. I am proud to have been the first author of this work, which highlights the importance of recognizing cultural influences in physics education. In recognition of this research, I was awarded the Duncan McBride PER Travel Scholarship, which allowed me to present my findings at the 2024 Summer American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and Physics Education Research Conference (PERC). Presenting my research at these events not only boosted my confidence but also reinforced my commitment to improving STEM education. My time at South Seattle College has been marked by significant achievements and meaningful connections. I am excited about the future but also incredibly grateful for the opportunities and memories I have gained so far. Balancing school and work is challenging, but the experience has shaped me into a more resilient and determined individual. Ultimately, my goal is to use my education to make a positive impact on the world. By combining my passion for Industrial Engineering with my commitment to equity and inclusion, I hope to design systems that benefit diverse populations and address systemic disparities.

I started my educational path in the US at South Seattle Community College. I’m originally from Brazil and have moved here in 2019 for a work and study exchange program. In 2022 I had the opportunity to invest in my studies to have a career for the first time. It was hard to decide what do to, and to give higher education a try when I was close to be 30 years old, in a different country, and going through it all on my second language. I used my interest in the challenges of designing systems that prioritize efficiency as well as inclusivity and accessibility to come with the decision of majoring in Industrial Engineering. I believe that this path offers a unique lens through which I can analyze and improve complex systems. I want technology and innovation to serve diverse populations and address disparities. On this journey I learned about undergraduate research, and at South Seattle Community College my commitment to education research emerged. I got involved in research in diversity and equity in physics with the physics department at the college. I have been working with them since fall 2023. As a Latina woman in STEM myself, I noticed, while assisting students as a tutor at the college math and science tutoring center, the barriers that underrepresented groups often face, including implicit biases and a lack of culturally responsive teaching practices. I saw that many students would come to class with pre concepts based on their past experiences. That motivated me to delve into research and I explored how inclusive teaching strategies can enhance learning outcomes for students from varied backgrounds. During my first year I dove into the students’ view of physics and how their cultural background might affect their sense of physics. That led to a successful work where I was the first author. “Students attribute myriad cultural factors to their sense of physics” was published on summer 2024 at PER-Central, and with that work I was also awarded full travel grant to present the work at 2024 Summer AAPT and PERC meetings. Our current work wants to understand how students would explain physical concepts based on their own experiences, and how professors can apply those more tangible examples in classrooms to have a more inclusive classwork. My time at the community college is coming to an end and now I'm working onto my next step that is transfer to a 4 years institution. It is not an easy path, as with many other students, the financial weight of attending school can be quite heavy. But I'm working hard to be the first generation in my family to have a higher education degree.

I started my educational path in the US at South Seattle Community College. I’m originally from Brazil and have moved here in 2019 for a work and study exchange program. In 2022 I had the opportunity to invest in my studies to have a career for the first time. It was hard to decide what do to, and to give higher education a try when I was close to be 30 years old, in a different country, and going through it all on my second language. I used my interest in the challenges of designing systems that prioritize efficiency as well as inclusivity and accessibility to come with the decision of majoring in Industrial Engineering. I believe that this path offers a unique lens through which I can analyze and improve complex systems. I want technology and innovation to serve diverse populations and address disparities. On this journey I learned about undergraduate research, and at South Seattle Community College my commitment to education research emerged. I got involved in research in diversity and equity in physics with the physics department at the college. I have been working with them since fall 2023. As a Latina woman in STEM myself, I noticed, while assisting students as a tutor at the college math and science tutoring center, the barriers that underrepresented groups often face, including implicit biases and a lack of culturally responsive teaching practices. I saw that many students would come to class with pre concepts based on their past experiences. That motivated me to delve into research and I explored how inclusive teaching strategies can enhance learning outcomes for students from varied backgrounds. During my first year I dove into the students’ view of physics and how their cultural background might affect their sense of physics. That led to a successful work where I was the first author. “Students attribute myriad cultural factors to their sense of physics” was published on summer 2024 at PER-Central, and with that work I was also awarded full travel grant to present the work at 2024 Summer AAPT and PERC meetings. Our current work wants to understand how students would explain physical concepts based on their own experiences, and how professors can apply those more tangible examples in classrooms to have a more inclusive classwork. My time at the community college is coming to an end and now I'm working onto my next step that is transfer to a 4 years institution. It is not an easy path, as with many other students, the financial weight of attending school can be quite heavy. But I'm working hard to be the first generation in my family to have a higher education degree.

I started my educational path in the US at South Seattle Community College. I’m originally from Brazil and have moved here in 2019 for a work and study exchange program. In 2022 I had the opportunity to invest in my studies to have a career for the first time. It was hard to decide what do to, and to give higher education a try when I was close to be 30 years old, in a different country, and going through it all on my second language. I used my interest in the challenges of designing systems that prioritize efficiency as well as inclusivity and accessibility to come with the decision of majoring in Industrial Engineering. I believe that this path offers a unique lens through which I can analyze and improve complex systems. I want technology and innovation to serve diverse populations and address disparities. On this journey I learned about undergraduate research, and at South Seattle Community College my commitment to education research emerged. I got involved in research in diversity and equity in physics with the physics department at the college. I have been working with them since fall 2023. As a Latina woman in STEM myself, I noticed, while assisting students as a tutor at the college math and science tutoring center, the barriers that underrepresented groups often face, including implicit biases and a lack of culturally responsive teaching practices. I saw that many students would come to class with pre concepts based on their past experiences. That motivated me to delve into research and I explored how inclusive teaching strategies can enhance learning outcomes for students from varied backgrounds. During my first year I dove into the students’ view of physics and how their cultural background might affect their sense of physics. That led to a successful work where I was the first author. “Students attribute myriad cultural factors to their sense of physics” was published on summer 2024 at PER-Central, and with that work I was also awarded full travel grant to present the work at 2024 Summer AAPT and PERC meetings. Our current work wants to understand how students would explain physical concepts based on their own experiences, and how professors can apply those more tangible examples in classrooms to have a more inclusive classwork. My time at the community college is coming to an end and now I'm working onto my next step that is transfer to a 4 years institution. It is not an easy path, as with many other students, the financial weight of attending school can be quite heavy. But I'm working hard to be the first generation in my family to have a higher education degree.

I started my educational path in the US at South Seattle Community College. I’m originally from Brazil and have moved here in 2019 for a work and study exchange program. In 2022 I had the opportunity to invest in my studies to have a career for the first time. It was hard to decide what do to, and to give higher education a try when I was close to be 30 years old, in a different country, and going through it all on my second language. I used my interest in the challenges of designing systems that prioritize efficiency as well as inclusivity and accessibility to come with the decision of majoring in Industrial Engineering. I believe that this path offers a unique lens through which I can analyze and improve complex systems. I want technology and innovation to serve diverse populations and address disparities. On this journey I learned about undergraduate research, and at South Seattle Community College my commitment to education research emerged. I got involved in research in diversity and equity in physics with the physics department at the college. I have been working with them since fall 2023. As a Latina woman in STEM myself, I noticed, while assisting students as a tutor at the college math and science tutoring center, the barriers that underrepresented groups often face, including implicit biases and a lack of culturally responsive teaching practices. I saw that many students would come to class with preconcepts based on their past experiences. That motivated me to delve into research and I explored how inclusive teaching strategies can enhance learning outcomes for students from varied backgrounds. During my first year I dove into the students’ view of physics and how their cultural background might affect their sense of physics. That led to a successful work where I was the first author. “Students attribute myriad cultural factors to their sense of physics” was published on summer 2024 at PER-Central, and with that work I was also awarded full travel grant to present the work at 2024 Summer AAPT and PERC meetings. Our current work wants to understand how students would explain physical concepts based on their own experiences, and how professors can apply those more tangible examples in classrooms to have a more inclusive classwork. My time at the community college is coming to an end and now I'm working onto my next step that is transfer to a 4 years institution. It is not an easy path, as with many other students, the financial weight of attending school can be quite heavy. But I'm working hard to be the first generation in my family to have a higher education degree.