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Consejos:  Advice from a Material Scientist-Yenny Cubides

4/30/2021

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1. How did you know you wanted to pursue a career in materials science?
Materials Science came to my professional career more as an opportunity rather than as a decision that I took in the first place. I was in my first year of my master’s program in chemical engineering at The University of Akron when my research advisor decided to move to the department of materials science and engineering at Texas A&M University. He offered me the opportunity to join his new research group and after some thought, I decided to take it. This was a difficult decision; by accepting this offering, I would have to move from Ohio to Texas only after a year of arriving in the US. Besides, I would have to take all my classes again for my master’s degree, this time in materials science. Despite this, there were two main reasons why I decided to leave behind chemical engineering and embark on a new journey in materials science. First, I was passionate about my research on designing coating technologies for preventing corrosion of metallic structures, and joining my advisor’s research group at Texas A&M, allowed me to continue with my research and to look at my project from a materials science perspective. The second and most important reason why I transferred to materials science was because of the mentorship, advice and support that I received from my colleagues and teachers. They gave me a high-level overview of materials science and I was fascinated by all of that. What I loved the most about materials science is how we can correlate the chemical composition and molecular structure of a material with its properties and how we can use these structure-property relationships to design materials with the desired performance. Although it was a challenge to join a master’s program in materials science coming from a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, it was one of the best decisions of my life, such that, after graduating from my master’s degree, I continue with my Ph.D. to become a materials scientist.

2. 
What does a day in your current role look like?  Do you get to do the hands-on lab work? 
Currently, I am a senior research specialist at Dow working in the product development team of advanced silicone elastomers. A typical day in this role involves conducting laboratory work to develop new silicone elastomer products or to enhance the performance of existing products based on business needs or as exploratory research. Besides formulating and processing these materials, I also perform laboratory testing to characterize their properties and overall performance for the desired application. Aside from my laboratory work, my role also involves designing experiments, processing and analyzing experimental data, documenting research findings and communicating results via presentations and technical discussions with colleagues.

3. 
What is the most difficult part of the job?
 
Dow’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. My mission as a scientist at Dow is to develop high-quality products and technologies that are aligned to our ambition. This represents a big challenge for us as scientist because it is not only a matter of creating materials in a laboratory, but to ensure that the final products will bring value to our company, to our customers, and most importantly, that they are sustainable for the people and the planet. Despite being a challenge, I must say that this mission is also the most exciting part of doing my job and the reason why I became a scientist.

4. 
What is your favorite part about your job?
 
My favorite part of my job is to be able to collaborate and learn from colleagues from diverse disciplines, not only from a STEM background, but also from other areas such as marketing, sales, finance, supply chain, legal, etc. Working with these multidisciplinary teams allow me to engage closely in the different stages involved during creating and commercializing a new product. Furthermore, it gives me the opportunity to challenge my critical thinking and to contribute to my team towards a common purpose of creating innovative products and solutions for our current and future customers.

5. 
What is a piece of advice you would give to a young girl who wants to pursue a career in STEM?
Be passionate about your career and have FUN! If you love what you do, no matter how many  obstacles, challenges and failures you will encounter in your journey, you will always be able to move forward and take these situations as learning experiences that will make you evolve, adapt, and ultimately become stronger and more confident. I also recommend that you find mentors and colleagues that can help you in your career, but keep in mind that they are just giving you guidance based on their experiences and at the end of the day, you need to create your own career path. That brings me to my next advice; don’t compare yourself to others, everyone has a different skill set and interests, instead learn how to work in teams where everyone can showcase their skills and talents. Lastly, don’t be afraid of failure, it happens more often than we imagine but the good part is that it is completely normal, and it happens to all of us, we just need to embrace our failures and learn from them.

6. 
Do you have any advice on how to find a research opportunity when in college?
 
First, you need to spend some time learning about the research area that you are interesting, if there are specific classes for those areas, I would also suggest that you take some of these classes, in that way, once you start connecting with professors and researchers, they can see that you already have some knowledge about the topic. It is also important that you attend events such as conferences, symposia, workshops, etc. where you will have the opportunity to meet professors and other students. I would also recommend talking to your academic advisor to learn about upcoming research events as well as research programs offered by the department or external institutions. My last recommendation is to connect and engage with professors and graduate students in the area that you are interested, they are typically looking for students to support them with their research. If they don’t have funded research projects available at the time, offer to volunteer, you will still gain research experience and they will consider you for future opportunities.

7. 
Is research at your company collaborative?   Do you have opportunities to publish in journals?  
 
Absolutely yes! all the products and technologies that we develop at Dow are the result of teams working together to achieve a common goal.
 
Yes! Dow offers several avenues how we can have an external presence as scientist, one of them being publishing our research work in journals. We also have other opportunities such as attending (and participating) conferences, participating in professional organizations and boards, providing seminars at universities and collaborating with external institutions (universities, national labs, etc.)
 
 
 
8.  Pursuing a degree in STEM feels daunting at times, any advice on how to navigate the stress that comes with coursework, research, etc?

 
First, it is important that you have an agenda or journal where you can manage all your projects, classes, research, etc., and their progress. Also, when designing your schedule of daily activities, don’t overload them with lots of activities that most likely you won’t be able to complete, that will only bring you stress and anxiety. Drop tasks that are not urgent or necessary and complete them in the order of importance starting with the activities with the highest priority or the ones that are causing you more stress. In planning your agenda, ensure that you are incorporating time for activities that help you releasing your stress. I would also recommend that you break down your large projects into steps, instead of defining an activity as “writing my dissertation”, you can set more specific goals such as writing a chapter or even writing a section of a chapter, in that way you will feel less overwhelm in trying to complete your entire dissertation as one activity and it will also bring you a sense of accomplishment as you are making progress. Speaking about research, keep in mind that it usually takes more time than you are expecting, so plan accordingly and give yourself enough room in case things go wrong. Also, when your research is not working and you are getting frustrated, I recommend that you stop working on those things for a few days, take a break from that work and then come back and try again. If things are still failing and you are getting more stressed, it would be better to reevaluate and perhaps change the approach or move on into something else. Lastly, make sure to connect with your classmates and colleagues from your research group, if you are feeling stress for your work load, it is possible that they feel the same way, so you can find ways together in how to help and support each other.
 
9. What was the biggest difference between research in grad school and industry?
 
Personally speaking, my research in graduate school was mainly focused on developing a mechanistic understanding of structure-property relationships that allow me to design materials with excellent performance. However, I did not pay much attention to the feasibility of making these materials at large scale as well as their final cost or repercussions to the environment when processing these materials. In industry, besides creating a fundamental understanding of our materials, it is critical to ensure that these materials that we develop at laboratory scale can be scale up to a manufacturing level and that they are cost-competitive to fit in the market. It is also essential that our materials fulfill our customer needs without compromising the future of our society and planet. 
 
10. Is it possible to invent a plastic that biodegrades in 10 years or less?  We need a material that is as durable and indestructible as plastic, but that biodegrades eventually
 
At Dow, we are committed with environmental sustainability. We are working together to make materials that can be biodegradable or that can be reused or recycled. In addition, we are also committed to reduce carbon emissions by implementing technologies that can reduce the resources needed in manufacturing our products. These efforts are part of our sustainability goals of implementing a circular economy to eliminate plastic waste and addressing climate protection.
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My STEM Journey:  Yenny Cubides, PhD

4/26/2021

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My passion for science started when I was in high school back in my hometown, Bogota, Colombia. I was fascinated with my chemistry, biology, physics and math classes. I was particularly impressed by learning how chemistry and physics can be used to make products that surround us every day in our lives. Besides, I loved learning how machines work and being able to explain natural phenomena such as weather, evolution, metabolism, etc. It was at that time when I realized that I wanted a career in STEM; however, I had my doubts of what specific career to follow, I remember considering chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering and even food science. Thanks to the support and help of my teachers and my desire for being able to produce materials and products that can bring value to our society, I finally decided that I would like to pursue a career in chemical engineering. 

Even before deciding on a specific major for my career, I already knew which university I would like to attend: The National University of Colombia. The National University of Colombia was and has been one of the most prestigious universities in Colombia for STEM education, so, I took my admission exam for their chemical engineering program and sadly, I was not admitted. I was completely devastated by this; however, my family and friends supported me and help me understand how difficult the admission process was with thousands of people taking the exam for the same major and with only 1% of them being admitted. This failure was my driving force to continue my journey and prepare better in a way that I was able to be admitted in the next term. 

Being in chemical engineering was an incredible experience for me, I met amazing teachers and classmates, I took very interesting and insightful classes and it was a great platform for developing my passion for doing research. For my bachelor’s degree thesis, I had the opportunity to come to the United States to conduct my research on chemical inhibitors for preventing internal corrosion in oil and gas pipelines in the department of chemical and biomolecular engineering at The University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. This experience strengthened my love for doing research and my desire for pursuing graduate studies. I decided then to move to the US to start my master’s program in chemical engineering at The University of Akron. I have to admit that it was a difficult decision leaving my family and coming alone to another country but it has been one of the most rewarding experiences, both personally and professionally, and I do not have any doubt that it has been one of the best decisions of my life. 

Up to this point, it seemed that I would become a scientist in chemical engineering, however, after a year of being in chemical engineering, another opportunity appeared in my career: Materials Science and Engineering. I transferred to Texas A&M University where I did my master’s and Ph.D. in materials science and engineering focused on designing coating technologies and magnesium alloys with enhanced mechanical and corrosion resistance properties. Once again, this was a tough decision; switching careers, moving to another city and essentially, start all over again. Nevertheless, this was another of those best decisions in my life, I love materials science and bring me joy every time that I learn something new about it. 
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My background in materials science and engineering brought me to where I am today, working at Dow as a senior research specialist in the product development team of advanced silicone elastomers. With less than a year since I started, my experience at Dow and in my current role has been amazing surrounded by an exceptional team and working together to develop high quality products that bring value to people and our planet. This entire journey of becoming a materials scientist has been a compilation of successes, failures and challenges but most importantly, it has been possible thanks to the help and support of my family, friends, colleagues and mentors and it is beyond words to express how grateful I am to all of them. I am excited to continue with this journey in materials science and to become a mentor for younger STEM generations. 





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April 19th, 2021

4/19/2021

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Careers in Materials Science

Material scientists are at the forefront of research in developing new materials for applications in infrastructure, transportation, technology, and much more.  A degree in materials science allows for a career in sectors such as manufacturing, research, aerospace, coatings, biomedical systems, and technology.  Changes in the chemical and atomic structure leads to new materials with improved properties such as toughness, flexibility, hardness, etc.  Materials science research also pushes the processing and synthesis of materials to make them more reliable, sustainable, and economic.  

Since materials science combines the study of chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics and biology, careers in materials science include product/process development scientist, design engineer, and technical sales engineer.  

According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, industries with the highest levels of employment in materials science are Scientific R&D service and chemical manufacturing.  The mean annual wage is $104,450 with the highest materials scientists employed in Massachusetts and Washington.   

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Consejos:  Advice from a Biomedical Researcher

4/12/2021

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What is the most difficult part of the job?
As veterinary pathologists, we are trained to examine tissue in a microscope and provide a definitive diagnosis. Sometimes we are not able to give a definitive diagnosis. Although this aspect may be a little frustrating at times, it is what makes it, in my opinion, an intriguing and life-long learning career.
 
What is your favorite part about your job?
The most exciting aspect of my job is working with infectious diseases and animal models. At Texas Biomed, we work in BSL2, BSL3, and BSL4. These represent different levels of containment of infectious diseases. There are few places in the world with BSL4 containment laboratories. TxBiomed is one of the few places in the world you can work with infectious agents such as Ebola and Tuberculosis. The best part is there is always something new to learn.
 
Stephanie, 24, asks: 
How did you know this is what you wanted to do? I’m majoring in medical/molecular biology and I haven’t decided what I want to do career wise. There are so many things involved in the world of biology, it makes it hard to pick something. 
 
Hi Stephanie, That is certainly a great question. Number #1 find a mentor by reaching out to your professors. I would highly recommend exploring research opportunities in your local university during the semesters and explore internship opportunities at the center for disease control (CDC) during the summer break. This is time to build your resume and learn new skills that can only be gathered with hands-on experience in the laboratory setting.
 
From Ilia on Facebook:
I saw in the news that vets are vaccinating primates for Covid-19.  What can you tell us about how Covid-19 affects primates?  Do you have any experience or have any colleagues in your industry researching if Covid is just as lethal in primates as it is in humans?
 
Hi Ilia, at Texas Biomed, we have worked with primates as animal models for Covid-19. I can tell you from experience that monkeys get infected with COVID19, but do not tend to develop the lethal outcomes seen in humans. Monkeys were used to test the safety and efficacy of our current Covid-19 vaccines. 
 
From Ilia on Facebook:
Will scientific research ever reach a point when we no longer have to experiment on live animals?  (I’m a rabbit rescuer)
 
Research in animals is a highly regulated industry. All research follows the three Rs, which represent: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. The current pandemic has shown how animal models save lives.
 
Submitted anonymously:
What does a day in your current role look like?  Do you get to do the hands-on lab work? 
 
A typical work week consists of performing necropsies at different level containment laboratories, collecting tissues, spending many hours at the microscope, and writing pathology reports. Pathologists are also involved in scientific manuscript write-ups.
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What is a piece of advice you would give to a young girl who wants to pursue a career in STEM?
 
Number #1 and most important step is to find a mentor by reaching out to your teachers or professors. I would highly recommend exploring research opportunities in your local university during the semesters and explore internship opportunities throughout the US or abroad. Your time as an undergraduate student is the perfect time to build your resume and learn new skills that can only be gathered with hands-on experience in the laboratory setting.
 
 
You now work at a research institute; did you have prior research experience?  Do you have any advice on how to find a research opportunity when in college?
 
Number #1 and most important step is to find a mentor by reaching out to your teachers or professors. I would highly recommend exploring research opportunities in your local university during the semesters and explore internship opportunities throughout the US or abroad. Your time as an undergraduate student is the perfect time to build your resume and learn new skills that can only be gathered with hands-on experience in the laboratory setting.
 
Is research at your institute collaborative?   Do you have opportunities to publish in journals?  
 
Yes, absolutely. Veterinary pathologists are also involved in scientific manuscript write-ups of research projects. We are also able to pursue our own research interests and publish on those topics.
 
We have had a rough year dealing with the pandemic and the road to vaccines.  What is the most impressive scientific advantage that has come out of it?  
 
 The most impressive scientific advances, in my opinion, have been how quickly researchers throughout the world have been able to develop, test and deploy a vaccine for a novel virus in record-breaking time. I think this sets a very positive precedent for the treatment and vaccine development of other infectious diseases.
 
 
 
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My STEM Journey:  Olga Gonzalez, PhD

4/12/2021

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​Early on during my childhood years growing up in Puerto Rico, I focused on the idea of becoming a veterinarian. Opportunities to study veterinary medicine in Puerto Rico were non-existent at that time, requiring me to look beyond the island setting and exploring veterinary professional schools in the US mainland. However, at the time, the idea of moving far away from the family for many years was daunting. I understood this was the only way.
As an undergraduate student at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus, I worked as a research assistant at a parasitology laboratory led by Dr. Sharon File. We worked with animal models of bilharzia to understand transmission and pathology associated with this endemic parasite. I also volunteered at the local veterinary clinic to gain contact hours working with domestic species. With my family's support and the help of many mentors who selflessly opened their doors to their clinics and research laboratories, I finished my Bachelor's degree in Biology and fulfilled the experience requirements to apply and be accepted into veterinary school. I completed the veterinary program at the University Of Wisconsin Madison School Of Veterinary Medicine, and then I decided to specialize in veterinary pathology. After completing my veterinary pathology residency and completing board certifying exams, I worked in multiple settings, including academia, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, and primate centers.  
As a veterinary pathologist at the Southwest National Primate Research Center, I have the privilege to work with laboratory animal models of infectious diseases in a research setting. This opportunity has been the most rewarding experience of my professional career. Looking back at the path that landed me in San Antonio, Tx, I will be eternally grateful for the academic mentors that provided career-defining experiences.
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Careers in Biomedical Sciences

3/29/2021

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Biomedical sciences combines the study of human physiology, human pathology, and pharmacology to advance health problems facing society.  Biomedical science encompasses biochemistry, cell biology, and medicinal chemistry to name a few disciplines.  Those who pursue a career in biomedical sciences go on to develop new prosthetics or the next cancer treatment.  

While pursuing a degree in biomedical sciences, one will take courses that include genetics, nutrition, microbiology, human anatomy, and kinesiology.  A degree in biomedical sciences opens the doors for careers in the fields of science and medicine as well as positions that combine the two.  

A degree in biomedical sciences can also be used for a career as a forensic technologist.  A forensic technologist is an expert in DNA, hair, etc. and consults with legal officials on crimes.  Many toxicologists have studied biomedical science.  Toxicologists study the safety and biological effects of drugs, chemicals, and substances on living organisms.  A degree in biomedical sciences can serve as a launching point for an advanced degree in public health.  A Masters in Public Health can lead to a position in developing and implementing health policy at all levels- local, state, and federal.  

Biomedical research is an important career for those who pursue a degree in biomedical sciences.  While many people picture a scientist in a white coat when they hear biomedical research, current research takes place not only in the lab of colleges and universities, but in the community.  Researchers work with schools and community clinics to conduct research in communities.  Biomedical scientists are also vital in medicinal chemistry.  They conduct research to create chemicals and compounds that are used in drug development and how they behave in the human body.  Additionally, this research is also conducted in the field of zoology to study how drugs and diagnostics can be used in animals.  
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A degree in biomedical sciences opens up a variety of career options from research in a university setting to health policy and pharmaceutical sales.  It is a versatile degree that can lead to a job in a broad number of industries. 

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Consejos:  Advice from a Meteorologist

12/31/2020

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Alondra, 21 asks:  What excites you the most about your job? What keeps you motivated?
 
Although there are several things in this field that excite me, one of them at the forefront is the challenges forecasting. Weather is always changing, from day-to-day to seasons to unique weather events.  There is always new experiences and challenges and no two days are ever the same. This means that the learning and growing never stops.  From employing all of your skills to forecast each unique weather event to learning and employing the latest research findings and new technologies...the challenges and developments is the only constant.  Although I enjoy these things greatly and they truly are my favorite, my passion is communicating this science to the community and partners. The science of meteorology can be a thrill and its phenomena quite impressive, but it is useless if people don’t understand clearly what is going to happen and how to stay safe.
 
Liset asks:  How can high school and college students better prepare during school to be a meteorologist? Both academically and life skills wise.
 
I highly recommend that you focus on your science and math classes in high school as these will give you a strong foundation for the meteorology courses. If you can complete advanced courses such as pre-calculus, earth sciences and/or computer science, they will give you a great lead. For communicating science, polish your writing and oral skills in the English class.  Every structure needs a solid foundation and this is your foundation. 
 
While in college, try to get a degree in meteorology or atmospheric sciences. Some of the requirements will vary depending on what you want to focus your career on. If you want to be on T.V., then you will need a Broadcast Meteorology degree. If you want to work for the National Weather Service, you will need these basic requirements (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/meteorology-series-1340/). If you want to be a researcher, you should focus on getting a doctoral degree. It is important to mention that you do not need a bachelor’s degree in meteorology to get a master’s or doctoral degree in the same field. You can check this list of degree programs in meteorology or atmospheric sciences and their requirements:
https://nwas.org/membership/committees/education/colleges-universities/
 
Overall, the most important thing you can do to prepare yourself is challenge yourself.  Be uncomfortable and don’t fear challenges.
 
Anonymous asks:  What do meteorologists do for fun at work?
 
I always say that you are never too old to play with balloons! :) 
One of my favorite and fun things to do while at work is to release weather balloons. The weather balloon is released twice a day from different parts of the world and at the same time. It has an instrument attached to it called a radiosonde, and it collects measurements of temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed and wind direction as it moves up into the sky. Its data is relevant to understand the current environment and also for the computer models that are used for weather forecasting. You can watch a short video here:
https://twitter.com/IshaRenta/status/1257997560125456384
 
Other than that, every team has its own dynamic and it always provides laughter even in the most stressful of times.

 
Anonymous asks: What advice would you give your younger self?
 
I would say: “Be persistent and stay focused on your goals. It will not be a straight line from point A to point B. There will be curves and dangerous turns, but you have to keep aiming at that goal. Make sure you put in the work and don’t settle for anything less than perfection.  Strive for the highest grades and be fearless about getting experience and exposure to the field. Don’t forget to always give your best and put your heart into everything you do, because everything that is done this way will bounce back to you in blessings. Most importantly, always be thankful to those that have extended themselves in support to you, and make sure you pay it forward to those coming behind you.”
 
 
Anonymous asks:  Can meteorologists predict how cold a winter will be? How far ahead can you predict the weather?
 
Before I answer the question, I would like to clarify that weather and climate are not the same. Weather is the state of the atmosphere at any given time and place. While climate is the long term average of the weather in a given place. Climate is the usual weather you expect, while weather is what you get.
 
Now back to the question:
Meteorologists use seasonal *climate* predictions or outlooks to determine how a season will be compared to the normal (average) temperature and precipitation. These are useful to look at the winter season and determine if it will be colder or warmer than normal, or wetter or drier than normal for a particular region. You can check the latest winter outlook from NOAA in this website: https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/us-winter-outlook-cooler-north-warmer-south-with-ongoing-la-nina
 
For the second question: Skillful *weather* predictions can run out to about 7 to 10 days depending on your source. Climate predictions can be used to predict longer periods, like seasons, years or decades ahead.
 
Anonymous asks:  Where are the best places to live on earth in terms of fewest natural disasters?
 
Based on several online resources, it seems like Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are the safest places on Earth due to their geographical position away from major weather related events, and also no earthquake activity.  Keep in mind that the average temperature over these regions can go from 50°F in winters, to 110°F in summers, so it can get very hot. 
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a25230/safest-place-on-earth/
 
 
Anonymous asks:  What major or focus do you need to study to become a meteorologist?
 
A college degree in Atmospheric Sciences, Meteorology or Broadcast Meteorology will help you become a meteorologist. An Atmospheric Sciences or Meteorology degree should have all the courses needed, but if you want to be on T.V., you should study Broadcast Meteorology, which includes the communications courses needed and the green screen experience.  But again, as I answered in another question, math and science are your foundations in either path you take.
 
Anonymous asks:  Other than weather forecaster on TV, what other jobs do meteorologist hold?
Meteorologists can become weather forecasters or researchers for the federal government, such as the NOAA (National Weather Service), NASA, the Navy or the Air Force, and others. In the state governments they are employed within their departments of natural resources, air quality or the state climatologist office. Private companies also hire meteorologists, some examples are:
  • Insurance providers (risk management and mitigation)
  • Energy providers
  • Emergency management organizations
  • Consulting firms 
  • Agricultural businesses 
  • Transportation industry (aviation, highways) 
  • Weather instrumentation (development and sales) 
There are also meteorology professors that teach and do research educational institutions.
I found this good resource of meteorology careers here: https://www.weather.gov/media/bro/outreach/pdf/CareerOpportunitiesMeteorology.pdf
 
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Careers in Meteorology

12/16/2020

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Many people only know meteorologists as the people who gives you the daily forecast on the local news, however, the vast majority of meteorologists work at universities, private companies, and the government, where they conduct research, consult, and teach.  

In order to pursue a  career in meteorology, a degree in meteorology/atmospheric science is needed.  In addition to meteorology courses,  students should expect to take calculus, physics, and chemistry courses as well.  Depending on the career path  chosen after graduation , a minor in computer science, communication, geography, social sciences, physics, or math could be beneficial..  Continuing on to graduate school to earn a Master’s degree or Ph.D. is advisable, especially if students are interested in going into a specialty field in meteorology.  

So,  besides forecasting the weather in a news broadcast what can you do with a degree in meteorology?  There are plenty of options!  A list put together by the National Severe Storms Laboratory shows the variety of options  available, from working for an airline company to being a research meteorologist!(https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/people/jobs/careers.php).  

  • An operational forecaster analyzes weather conditions and issues forecasts or alerts the public of severe weather for their area.
  • A research meteorologist studies more specific areas of weather like severe weather or climate change. They can also develop tools like radar or weather models to help other meteorologists in their jobs.
  • A meteorologist in the military makes weather observations and forecasts for missions around the world.
  • Airlines use meteorologists to help pilots know what the weather will be like when they take-off, land,and while in the air.
  • Electric companies ask meteorologists if a heat wave is coming so they have enough power ready to run lots of air conditioners.
  • Road crews ask meteorologists how much snow might be coming so they can make sure they have enough trucks ready.
  • Meteorologists tell fruit and vegetable farmers to turn their sprinklers on when a cold snap is coming to help protect crops.
  • Meteorologists work with city managers when their town is in the path of a hurricane, if nearby rivers or streams could flood, or if a tornado is coming.
  • What if there is a thunderstorm headed for a football stadium full of people? Meteorologists help people in charge of stadiums, arenas, shopping malls and hospitals make critical safety decisions.
  • Radio and television stations use meteorologists, both behind the scenes and on the air, to analyze weather data and present it to their audience.
In addition to these positions , meteorologists are needed to teach the next generation of meteorologists as well.  Deciding to pursue a degree in meteorology is the first step, once you decide to do that, you can narrow your focus by determining where your interests lie.   Do you like  teaching,  doing research or do you prefer  to be on TV and share your knowledge in front of a camera?

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My STEM Journey- Isha Renta, Management and Program Analyst with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

12/14/2020

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​As a child on the island of Puerto Rico I was always curious about animals, insects, plants, trees, and many other things related to nature.  When Hurricane Hugo (1989) threatened to impact the island, I was impressed by the satellite images and graphics presented on TV. I wanted to know more about what it was, why should we prepare and moreover why everyone was so scared? That is the moment when my curiosity and dream of becoming a meteorologist was born. The constant threats of tropical cyclones to Puerto Rico kept me on my toes every season as I grew into a teenager and fueled my interests into high school. I remember looking for maps in the newspaper to track the position of the storms and paying lots of attention during the weather segment on TV. In 1998 Hurricane Georges made direct impact to my home island further reinforcing my fascination with weather and passion to protect and inform citizens.
 
I was a diligent student in school who loved the challenge of math and always ensured I maintained good grades. I was driven by the dream of working with the experts at the National Weather Service’s (NWS) San Juan Forecast Office. Upon graduation, it was time to apply to college and I knew exactly what I wanted to do.  However, to my surprise, there were no meteorology degrees available in Puerto Rico. Devastated, yet undaunted, I had to rethink my college choices. I started on the social sciences path at the University of Puerto Rico, but quickly realized that I was not enjoying those classes. Seeking something that aligned with my skills, I changed to a degree in mathematics which turned out to be the best choice I could have made. I struggled with the chemistry classes, but enjoyed my calculus, physics and especially differential equations. I pushed myself beyond what I thought my capabilities were. I enrolled in the harder classes, and had some doubt and stumbles along the way. But I sought help from the professors when I needed it and they were always there to reassure me and encourage me.
 
While in college, I found out about a group doing weather and climate research and quickly joined them. Through them I learned about weather, modeling, and research and attended my first conference. I also learned about other opportunities such as graduate school and summer internships which turned out to be the key turning point in my career path. The upcoming summer I was admitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Educational Partnership Program - Undergraduate Scholarship Program. With this scholarship, I was able to intern in two different NOAA facilities for 10 weeks during the summer. One was the Environmental Modeling Center in Maryland, and the other one in the Hurricane Research Division (HRD) in Florida. During this time I was also admitted to the graduate program in Atmospheric Sciences at Howard University in Washington, DC.  Finally, my dreams were becoming reality. 
 
I returned to HRD for two additional summers while pursuing my graduate degree, also participated in internships at the National Science Foundation and the NWS Baltimore/Washington Forecast Office, and spent 30 days at sea in a NOAA research cruise. All these experiences were a great foundation for my first full time job with the Department of the Navy at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division as a Research Meteorologist. There I worked on modeling and observations of the low levels of the atmosphere and also set up weather stations at Navy facilities during testing of new radar technologies, among other tasks. I then returned to the NWS Baltimore/Washington Forecast Office, but this time as a full time meteorologist where I would do weather forecasts, give briefings and interviews, issue watches and warnings, and plan or attend outreach events for the community and our media partners. This was my dream job since I was a child, a different location but with the same mission, and I was on the top of the world. 
 
Around the same time I began working on my non-profit organization Semilla Cultural (semillacultural.org) or “cultural seed”, to promote and preserve the Afro-Puerto Rican genre known as ‘bomba’.  Bomba, a combination of dancing, singing, & percussion, is important to me as it gives me a vehicle to bring Latin culture and positivity to the forefront of society. Through this adventure I developed and polished leadership and other soft skills that would be useful in my scientific career path. Still growing and always looking for more challenges, I decided to apply for a position at the NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research as a Management and Program Analyst for which I was hired. In this role I manage critical programs, lead people, am involved in the science policy process, and perform research and development analysis.  It is yet another step in my journey and I am enjoying every minute of it. 
 
Being rooted in public service, there are several things that set the meteorology field apart. One of these is the schedule and it can be difficult for some. While in the NWS Forecast Office, I worked on a rotating shift schedule, meaning that I did not have a consistent schedule. Sometimes working weekends, holidays and overnight shifts was challenging, especially as a mother of two little girls. There are also challenges that you get as a forecaster with the rapidly changing weather and the high pace push to get information and warnings out immediately. But that stress also brings a great feeling of satisfaction from serving the community and partners. That gratification is invaluable and simply irreplaceable.
 
The public service aspect of the meteorology field also brings about cultural matters, especially when your culture allows you to see things differently and you can identify barriers. Many of us come from an area where English is the second language, and I am no exception. While at the forecast office I noticed there were no services or collaborations with the Hispanic community. I used my cultural knowledge and took the initiative to connect with local Spanish media, attended Hispanic community events, and created a website with weather and safety information in Spanish (weather.gov/lwx/espanol). Now this community has access to hazardous weather and safety information in their own language (with still things to improve). In this instance, being a Latina in STEM paid off. The diversity I brought to the team removed a barrier from part of the citizens we serve.
 
One thing that was immediately apparent in the workforce was the lack of diversity in this field, particularly females, and especially Latinas. I am a strong believer that representation inspires youth. You can show them that someone like them can achieve what you have, and make them feel welcome into this field. Also, having a more diverse workforce can harvest diverse solutions and ultimately improve services (published studies have demonstrated this). I enjoy doing my part to inspire Latinas through outreach. I cherish the opportunity to visit schools or events where others can see and listen to the experiences of Latina woman scientist. Being able to speak and answer questions provide experiences that, both the community and I will never forget, even more when they can identify with you. 
 
My path has not been straightforward, I have doubted myself and my decisions, and I have struggled. But I suppressed those doubts and I remained focused on my goal of becoming a meteorologist. My journey has been supported and inspired by amazing leaders, colleagues and mentors in the field, and by my family and friends as well. To them, I owe a lot for who and where I am today, and for that I am eternally grateful. As a Latina, I am committed to my purpose of paying it forward through mentoring and serving the community through science and culture. It is my goal to see many other women, especially Latina women, in this field.
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Consejos: Advice from a Chemist

8/31/2020

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Where could I make the biggest impact if I want to become a professor and promote URMs in STEM?  Regardless of whether you go into academia or industry, there are different ways that you can promote other Latinas.  Mentoring is very important- share your experience with others and mentor others that are interested in STEM.  Be involved with organizations at your university/company that work to lift up underrepresented groups- these are great avenues to work with students and colleagues and share your experiences.  Talk to others not only about your success, but about your struggles.  I also think it is important to share any resources you may have- if you are working in academia look for opportunities to help underrepresented students to find internships or research opportunities.   When I was an undergraduate, I didn’t know that I needed to be doing research or that there were programs to pay for my GRE’s until I spoke to a teaching assistant and they shared their resources with me. 

Which careers can I pursue with a degree in chemistry?  Most people think a degree in chemistry means you are in a lab wearing a lab coat, but there are so many options.  A degree in chemistry means you can: teach, do research at national labs, develop new materials for food packaging, develop new cosmetic formulations, or work in a forensics lab.  You can also work to examine minerals and rocks, work for oil companies, or work for automobile companies and tech companies.  Chemists are needed on every aspect of our lives- from new materials to final products.  We have a blog post that highlights this a bit more, check it out!

 Do you enjoy what you do? Why?  I love what I do.  My job gives me a variety of projects to work on.  I work as an analytical chemist for a materials company and therefore I get to work on everything from raw materials to final products (things we use in everyday life).  This makes my day-to-day responsibilities and job interesting, as every day there is a new problem to solve.  I have the ability to work on customer issues, long term R&D projects, and to innovate. 

 Have you had a manager who was not a chemist? What did they do well? What could they have done better? No, however I have had managers that do not have a background in the techniques and chemistry that I work on.  I used it as an opportunity to share with them the techniques and as an opportunity for me to discuss why my projects and techniques were important.  At first they didn’t understand all aspects of my job, but they were open to learning and always asked questions, which made for good conversations.  I think it is important to remember (not only for managers), that we need to be open to learning.  It doesn’t matter if it’s been 20 years or 1 year in a company/group, you can always learn something.  My manager was open to learning from me and that made for a good work environment. 

How did you choose your career?  After my first year of graduate school, I knew I wanted to go into industry- I loved being in the lab making new compounds and analyzing them.   As I was wrapping up my third year of graduate school, I started to research companies and was looking for somewhere that I could still be in the lab and be pushed to innovate.  I am thankful that I have found that and thatI enjoy my job. 
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Chemicals have a bad rep; Are all chemicals bad?  No, the good chemicals are often overshadowed by the bad chemicals.  Yes, there are some things out there that no one should ever be exposed to, however chemicals are all around us.  The aspirin you take for a headache, the non-stick pan you cook on, the bag your cereal comes in, and water- these are all chemicals.  There is no way to live a chemical free life because everything around us is made of chemicals. 

How can I make chemistry fun in the classroom?  I knew I wanted to go into chemistry because of my high school teacher.  She made sure to relate our experiments and discussions in the classroom to everyday life.  We did experiments such as testing the amount of citric acid in juice, or measuring copper in a pre-1982 penny and comparing it to a post 1982 penny.  She took the theories and made them applicable to life outside of the textbook, that is what made it fun for me.
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