Lab Diversity Statement

Growing up in a region where stereotypes and cultural norms systematically tracked women away  from STEM throughout their education, I became acutely aware of this gender inequality as “Women are less talented in science than men” is the most frequent comment I heard in my scholastic voyage. To this end, after I had been well-schooled during my time in a historically women’s college as a first-gen student, I have been engaged in several volunteer activities, such as being a STEM liaison to attract especially female students’ attention to science and research, and mentoring and encouraging female students from my undergraduate institution to pursue their own research careers. To dismantle cycles of prejudice, restrictions, and disenfranchisement that society sets for women, I also attended the equestrian riding team to compete as an athlete in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) Nationals with other male riders, earned a private pilot license (PPL) in this male dominant aviation career, and competed in the 3-Position Smallbore Rifle shooting which are all traditionally not recognized as activities belonging to women. This belief, and the others which comprise my world vision, would allow me to contribute to the diversity of thought at Dr.Zeta’s Lab