I try to undertake service that will bring about a more equitable society. Building the scientific capacity to advance science requires developing the human capital and workforce to carry the scientific enterprise as much as the intellectual aspect of it. Many times we forget that we need to develop the scientists to move forward theories and instead we focus only on the science innovation part. But we forget that we need a substantial number of scientists ready to undertake complex problems. Most importantly, we need to have all the different perspectives and experiences, including cultural and socioeconomic, on the table to be able to tackle a complex problem from every angle and arrive at an optimal solution
I have tried to focus on service and other efforts that brings about equity, from the local to the national levels. Creating opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups is an important component to bringing about equity. However, long-term change can only happen when systemic change occurs. I have tried to bring this about through my service in national boards and when I was a Program Director (PD) at the National Science Foundation (NSF). As co-Lead of the HSI Program and a PD in ADVANCE, I worked toward equitable solutions that involved systemic change. I spearheaded the effort to revamp the HSI solicitation, which resulted in a solicitation that was more responsive to the HSI community through targeted efforts. In my last year at the NSF, I worked as a PD in the Racial Equity in STEM Program Description. These efforts resulted in a new solicitation and a Director's Award for Superior Accomplishment with the citation: For inspired creativity and catalyzing community engagement in establishing the EHR Racial Equity program description; opening conversations with communities that NSF seeks to serve; and providing space for discussions of perception and experience.
Selected National Service
- American Mathematical Society (AMS) Council, 2/2018–1/2021.
- Board of Directors, Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), 1/2016-2/2019.
- Advisory Board, National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS).
- Associate Editor, Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, 2016-present.
- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) Workshop Celebrating Diversity working group, 2008-2010.
Service at the National Science Foundation
- Co-Lead and PD for the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program
The HSI program supports projects that improve undergraduate STEM education and increase the rates of recruitment, retention and graduation of undergraduate STEM students at Hispanic-serving institutions. - PD for the ADVANCE program
This program supports systemic change projects to enhance gender equity and inclusion for STEM faculty. - PD for RE in STEM Program Description
This program supports projects focused on advancing racial equity in STEM education and workforce development that are led or co-developed by individuals and communities most impacted by the inequities caused by systemic racism.
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