“The power that science has, to help make a huge change in the world, that element of being able to help, to share the information to make the world a better place, a better tomorrow, is what really keeps me in science.” 

"Yes, we do science, but at the end of the day, we are people and  people have communities; being able to share information or experiences along this journey of science and to make long lasting relationships is really important."

Michael

Biotechnologist, Undergraduate Student, Graduate school candidate, Associate Scientist at ThermoFisher Scientific

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“I am first generation. I went to community college and I was working 4-5 days a week at a restaurant, saving money. My family came from Mexico and I was raised in a Spanish speaking household."

“When I was younger I felt powerless. Just remember you have agency. Go for it! Sometimes you’ll fail or you’ll make mistakes or you won’t get what you want, but that can’t stop you” 

Yesenia

UC Berkeley graduate, Environmental Science Professional and Activist, Project Associate at MIG, an organization that  plans, designs and sustains environments that support human development.

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“When I started doing research in science, as an undergrad, I learned that Ph.D. is a Doctor. I had to basically go against what my family wanted for me, which was go to medical school. I found out that, when you do research/PhD. you basically get paid to go to school."

“I would like to help girls like me, that didn’t know that they have so many options, and so many choices to do whatever they wanted.” 

Famatta

PhD Candidate, graduate student,

Research Assistant, Biological Sciences, Delaware State University

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Where I grew up was kind of a rough neighborhood. You didn’t have career days where people came to your school and told you about being an engineer, or being an astronaut. 

I am the Maintenance Manager of the active pharmaceutical ingredient building. In six years, I have been promoted five times. You dream it, you can do it!

“Just don’t give up, you have to keep trying. There’s somebody out there that wants to help you do better, there’s somebody out there that wants to see you hit that star.” 

Royalton

BS Instrumentation Technology, Maintenance Manager, 

Bayer Pharmaceuticals

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“I didn’t know anything about STEM. Honestly I wish it was something I had in high-school. I am now Associate Director…I have progressed…right?”

“I am a woman, but I am also a woman of color. The perception that women should not be at a certain level as a man….being a woman of color, you don’t see too many Black women in a position of power like this and I think that to me stands out the most to children…there’s no limit to what people can do…we just got to give people a chance.”

“Never give up…use your network ..it’s frightening, especially coming out of high-school…you build upon the heroes and sheroes…”

Lauren

Director of Purification,

Bayer Pharmaceuticals

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