Mentees @SACNAS 2022: Albersy Armina-Rodríguez

Disclosure: This post was published at https://www.vistazoalaciencia.com/blognoticias/teamvistazo-en-sacnas-2022-albersy on October 27h, 2022.

The National Diversity in STEM Conference, SACNAS 2022, which will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from October 27 to October 29, marks a historic event in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields in Puerto Rico!

What does mentee Albersy Armina-Rodríguez say about attending this conference?

Dr. Rivera-Mariani: Albersy, why will you participate in SACNAS?

Albersy: I will participate in SACNAS because it is a conference where, in addition to dealing with the different STEM disciplines, it is also about highlighting the culture and diversity in STEM.

Dr. Rivera-Mariani: What panels or workshops are you interested in attending and why?

Albersy: Some of the workshops I am interested in attending are:

• “Internship, Fellowship, and Post-Doc Opportunities in the Broader Earth Sciences: A session of discovery highlight a variety of programs,
  with hands-on advice and mentoring”

• “Graduate Students Oral Presentations: Microbiology”

• “Training, Career Development, and Research Funding Opportunities at NIH”

• “You’re not alone! Building an Emotional Toolkit in Academia.”

• “Mentoring Up for STEM Researchers”

• “Science Communication and Science Accessibility in the CURe Classroom and Beyond”

• “Climbing the Professional Ladder of Success: Stories of Women in STEM”

• “SciArt to Facilitate Inclusive Science Communication”

• “Speaking Up for Science and Policy in your Community”

• “Mental Health and Wellness in STEM: A community discussion.

• “Stories from the Other Side of the Blurry Tunnel: It Gets Better after
  All”

Because they will contribute to my professional development as a graduate student, woman in science, and communicator. In addition, I will attend the Poster sessions where several colleagues will be presenting their work, in particular, to support our colleague from Vistazo A La Ciencia, Andrea Semidei-Rodríguez.

Dr. Rivera-Mariani: What do you plan to gain by attending SACNAS?

Albersy: I hope to be able to soak up a lot of information about opportunities that will help me in my professional development. I also hope to leave equipped with more tools to be able to carry out scientific communication and the defense of minority communities. I also look forward to meeting and connecting with colleagues I have met virtually through the pandemic.

Dr. Rivera-Mariani: What does it represent to you that a conference like SACNAS is held in PR?

Albersy: It is an honor for me that this leading conference on multicultural and multidisciplinary diversity in the STEM branches has its headquarters this year in Puerto Rico. Our island has a very diverse scientific community and this will allow it to stand out.