Please tell us where you are from?

I was born and raised in Fresno, California. Fresno is part of a collection of small towns that make up the central valley, where over 40% of the nation's food is grown, earning itself the nickname "Food-basket of America". Fresno is known for warm sunny weathers, close proximity to numerous national parks such as Yosemite and Sequoia, as well our proximity to the Central Coast. Living in a location with a diverse array of environments ignited my interest in understanding the world around me.

Tell us about your work at UB chemistry.

I am a 2nd year PhD student under the guidance of Dr. Emanuela Gionfriddo. My research focuses on the creation of microextraction devices from organic biopolymers abundant in nature, notably chitin and alginate. These devices serve a dual purpose: facilitating efficient extraction processes and shedding light on the interaction between emerging environmental pollutants of anthropogenic origin and these biopolymers. My work involves investigating and elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing the partitioning of such pollutants into complex and diverse environmental matrices. In particular, I work on using separation techniques and mass spectrometry to understand how these pollutants interact and distribute within heterogeneous environmental systems. This approach offers insights crucial for understanding the molecular mechanism behind the partitioning of emerging contaminates into environmental systems.

Tell us more about yourself and your story.

The thought of pursuing a career in science never crossed my mind. Growing up in a traditional household, the idea of women in STEM fields seemed distant and unfamiliar. As I embarked on my undergraduate journey, Chemistry wasn't even on my radar.

It wasn't until my second year of undergrad that everything shifted. Sitting in my first chemistry class, surrounded by a diverse array of peers, something clicked. Listening to the introductory lecture on general chemistry, I felt a surge of realization. Within a week, I made a pivotal decision: I switched my major from Art to Chemistry.

As a graduate student I have had the privilege of helping to empower other young female scientists realize that chemistry is a field for all. In the past year I was thankful to act as a mentor in ACS Project Seed as well as assist in a summer camp created by Dr. Gionfriddo called 'Girls in STEM, together we CHEM' specifically designed to empower young women on their scientific journey.  Through these endeavors I hope to normalize women in STEM to those who might have also grown up thinking that science wasn't a space for them.