Can you share a bit about your background and how it influences your support for women? What challenges have you faced personally that have shaped your approach to supporting other women?

I'm a first-generation immigrant. So, besides overcoming the barrier of being a woman and a person of color, I also had to break the barrier of being an immigrant to succeed. After my Ph.D., I spent considerable effort finding a job where the company would agree to sponsor a work visa for me. After I entered the workforce, I noticed many women scientists consider the barriers of gender, color, and immigration to be insurmountable and get stuck in temporary low-paid jobs for all their lives. Having successfully shaped my career, I decided to help other women scientists find their niche and reach their true potential.

Who are the women who have inspired you on your journey of uplifting others?

I'm inspired by women like Barbara McClintock, Katalin Kariko, and Amelia Earhart, who broke barriers despite the odds being stacked against them. I'm also inspired by Dr. Anna Dranginis (deceased), a professor at St. John's University, and Patrice Jean, a lawyer based in New York. They taught me the meaning of true mentorship and showed how women can uplift each other.

What initiatives or projects are you currently involved in to support women in your community?

I'm involved with several organizations where I mentor women scientists (graduate students and postdocs) to find jobs in a non-academic setting. I also mentor junior patent agents and women lawyers to succeed.

How do you navigate societal expectations and stereotypes while advocating for women's empowerment?

I believe that actions speak louder than words. Having been successful professionally, I am a role model for many women. Besides, I learned to ignore societal expectations and stereotypes a long time ago. I also learned to find my tribe where I'll be valued and respected.

What impact have your efforts had on the lives of the women you have supported?

So far, I was able to help at least 20 women to pursue their dreams.

How can others best support your efforts?

I wish that universities would spend more resources and guidance in helping the women to build their careers.

Anything else you'd like to share?

I recently became a mom to a gorgeous 7 week old. During this journey I found that there's not much research or awareness on miscarriages and other pregnancy complications. People don't speak about pregnancy complications or losses due to social stigma. My next goal is to raise awareness about these issues and remove societal stigma about discussing these issues freely.

This article is part of our International Women's Day series. Read about other inspiring women:

From Teen Mom to Trailblazer: Meet Samora

Uplifting Women Through Activism and Empowerment: Meet Natasha

Nurturing Creativity & Parenthood at Interlude Artist Residency: Meet Elsie

Breaking Barriers as a Female Firefighter: Meet Mindee