Congratulations to our Executive Director, Dr. Giovanna Guerrero-Medina, who was recognized as an Outstanding Research and Professional Mentor at the 2023 National Diversity in STEM Conference of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos Hispanics and native Americans in Science, also known as SACNAS.

Dr. Guerrero-Medina was nominated by more than 40 alumni from the Yale Ciencia Academy (YCA) for Professional Development, an NIH-funded program she leads that provides mentoring, a community of support, and training to help them define their career goals and become scientific leaders in their chosen professions. Since 2016, the program has trained more than 240 PhD students, most of whom identify as being from underrepresented backgrounds in science or interested in more equitable, diverse, and inclusive environments in STEM.

In their nomination letter, the students described Dr. Guerrero-Medina's and YCA's impact on their lives and careers and spoke about how her leadership in professional development programs and her timely, caring, and unbiased advice and attention were critical for them in completing their PhDs and aspiring towards successful careers in science.

"It means the world to me to have been nominated by the dozens of students that have gone through the Yale Ciencia Academy. It is so rewarding to know that the care that my collaborators and I put into that program — into building a supportive learning community and trainings to promote professional development — had an impact on their careers. Many of our trainees are now amazing mentors and scientific leaders in their own right. I feel like I am part of a legacy that will continue bringing in new generations of inclusive scientists, and that is incredibly humbling,” said Dr. Guerrero Medina in reaction to the recognition.

Congratulations Giovanna!