Imagine arriving at UF, eager to connect with others who share your passion for science, culture and community. For many UF students, post-docs and faculty, the UF SACNAS Florida Chapter provides that space — a vibrant community dedicated to raising awareness of underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Group of people standing in front of a projection that reads Competencia final 2024, three people are holding awards
With the top three winners of the first UF 3-Minute Thesis Competition en Español. Photo courtesy of SACNAS members

This past year, we organized impactful events like the 3MT Competition en Español in collaboration with various UF organizations. Before and during the competition, students received training and presented their research to a broad audience in just under three minutes, boosting their confidence and communication skills in Spanish. We also hosted a build your CV workshop, offering students hands-on guidance for crafting competitive CVs using Word, Markdown and LaTeX.

Our chapter is also committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. In October 2023, we hosted a well-attended SACNAS tailgate that extended our outreach beyond UF by engaging with the Gainesville community. This event allowed us to connect with locals and raise awareness about underrepresentation in STEM in a fun, relaxed setting. The same month, we hosted a webinar series that addressed some of the challenges underrepresented students face in STEM. This included discussions on imposter syndrome, effective science communication, and the dominance of the English language in most scientific fields.

In March 2024, our language exchange event brought members together to socialize, share cultural experiences and build stronger connections. And at our end-of-year gathering, we celebrated our members’ accomplishments, creating a sense of belonging and community that has become a hallmark of our chapter.

SACNAS members speaking to visitors at an event at the Florida Museum
Sharing our passion for science at the Viva Museum event at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Photo courtesy of SACNAS members

We also place a strong emphasis on outreach. During Hispanic Heritage Month in September 2023, we participated in Viva Museum, a public event showcasing Hispanic scientists and their contributions. In February 2024, we inspired young girls to recognize that they can also be scientists at the Girls Do Science! event at the Florida Museum of Natural History. And our Earth Day beach cleanup highlighted our commitment to sustainability by addressing important marine environmental issues. All these efforts have helped us stand out as leaders in promoting broad participation and inclusion in STEM, earning us the 2024 SACNAS Outstanding Chapter Award for Innovative Science—a testament to our creativity and dedication.

We couldn’t have achieved this without the collective effort and passion of our UF community. We would like to relay a special thanks to our amazing team of students at UF SACNAS; your hard work and passion have been instrumental in our success. We would also like to thank everyone at UF, especially UF Student Government, which has supported and continues to support UF SACNAS. Your encouragement and involvement have made these accomplishments possible, and we look forward to achieving even more together as we continue to strive for a more inclusive scientific community!

Check out our upcoming events or join us as a member: Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science Florida Chapter

Maria Camila Vallejo-Pareja is a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, advised by Jon Bloch and Dave Blackburn

Claudia Garnica Diaz is a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, advised by Grace John.

Mariela Pajuelo is an Assistant Scientist at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Our Language Exchange event attracted students from a diversity of fields and languages! Photo courtesy of SACNAS members
At a community-building event in the Reitz Union. Photo courtesy of SACNAS members
At our Tailgate event where we recruited over 100 new members. Photo courtesy of SACNAS members
Front to back, left to right: Natalia Padillo (Treasurer), Claudia Garnica Diaz (President), Maria Camila Vallejo (Vice President); Belkis Abufaur, Leandra Toledo, Mariana Herrera-Corzo, Joanna Jaramillo, and Zuania Colon-Pineiro (Board Members); Joe Ryan (Faculty Co-advisor) and Mariela Pajuelo (Faculty advisor). Board members not pictured: Malu Ore Rengifo, Ana Lopez, Orlando Acevedo, and Nick Gardner. Photo courtesy of SACNAS members

SACNAS Board members 2023-2024

  • Claudia Garnica-Díaz (Biology Department) – President
  • Maria C. Vallejo-Pareja (Biology Department and Florida Museum of Natural History) – Vice-president
  • Natalia Elena Padillo-Anthemides (Genetics and Genomics, Whitney Laboratory) – Treasurer
  • Zuania Colón Piñeiro (Biology Department) – National Liaison
  • Ana Isabel Lopez Cacacho (Biology Department and Florida Museum of Natural History) – Marketing Chair
  • Leandra Toledo (Biology and Economics Departments)
  • Malu Ore Rengifo (Biology Department and Florida Museum of Natural History)
  • Mariana Herrera Corzo (Department of Plant Pathology)
  • Orlando Acevedo-Charry (School of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and Florida Museum of Natural History)
  • Joanna Jaramillo Silva (Department of Entomology and Nematology)
  • Belkis Abufaur (Anthropology Department)
  • Nick Gardner (Biology Department and Florida Museum of Natural History)
  • Mariela Pajuelo (Assistant Scientist, Florida Museum of Natural History) – Faculty advisor
  • Joseph Ryan (Associate Professor, Biology Department & Whitney Laboratory) – Faculty co-advisor

 

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