I’m a native, Chicago-born and raised, first-gen Latina who fell in love with STEM in school, and took it all the way into adulthood and my professional life. My bench-training was in microbiology, and it was my initial entry point into the private sector as an Application Scientist. As I progressed in my career I took control of my own narrative, and crafted the professional life that worked for me, and personally and professionally maximized my impact. I’m passionate about helping others, especially fellow researchers, do the same in becoming active, rather than passive, participants in their own lives.