Dec 02, 2024 CSUCI students present (and win!) at NDiSTEM SACNAS conference

Dec. 2, 2024 - In 2011, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) sent four students and one faculty member to The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) conference. Fast forward 13 years to this Fall - we sent 34 students and six faculty members to what is now known as the National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) conference, the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity conference in the nation.

This year, out of 1,700 abstracts, 1,100 were selected, including over a dozen from CSUCI. Out of 101 awards, five were presented to CSUCI students, more than to any other CSU.

SACNAS has been promoting diversity in STEM for over 50 years, and in addition to professional development sessions, motivational keynote speakers, and cutting-edge STEM research, there are also multicultural celebrations and traditions, encouraging attendees to bring their whole selves to NDiSTEM.

"Celebration, not assimilation means we get to bring our whole, authentic self at the National Diversity in STEM Conference," said CSUCI Assistant Professor of Biology, Caryl Ann Becerra, who attended NDiSTEM with the students. "I have seen students get internships at a national lab and graduate school acceptances because of the people they've met at the conference. I have seen our students grow as STEMers with confidence and aspirations. Every time I attend the National Diversity in STEM Conference hosted by SACNAS, I feel empowered and supported to make a difference in our students', our future scientists' lives."

CSUCI's commitment to providing opportunities for student research and supporting diversity in STEM is supported by faculty organizers who have a history of finding ways to get students to this conference, like finding external funding sources such as student travel grants, that make it possible for students to attend. Faculty participation has also increased, which has been valuable in developing the CSUCI campus culture in STEM so as to emphasize belongingness and values diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

In the years that CSUCI has sent students to SACNAS/NDiSTEM, at least two students with GPAs deemed too low for grad school were able to share their research and get to know faculty from Ph.D.-granting institutions, which they subsequently went on to be admitted to and mentored throughout their graduate programs.

Students who participate can see a future beyond their undergraduate career by meeting graduate-level mentors and learning about paid summer research experiences at specialized institutions and government facilities. Students who may not see themselves as future graduate students are able to shift their perspective by sharing their research with others at the conference.

"For the past two years, the NDiSTEM SACNAS Conference has been a life-changing experience," said CSUCI Chemistry major Natalie Leon. "It is a space where I can integrate my culture into my scientific identity. In fact, this year, I had the special opportunity to present my poster presentation in Spanish, a language which is an essential part of my Latinx identity."

Selene Lopez, who is majoring in Biology and ESRM said, "Meeting fellow researchers from diverse backgrounds and hearing their stories of perseverance and success, I felt how SACNAS creates a supportive environment where we are valued not just for our academic achievements but also for our cultural backgrounds and unique perspectives as scientists."

SACNAS leaders and attendees are taking notice. All CSUCI attendees wear something notable on their name badges that ties back to the University, ensuring that everyone they meet knows what CSUCI has to offer.

To learn more about SACNAS and NDiSTEM, visit https://www.sacnas.org/conference.

To view a list of presenters and abstracts, visit the SACNAS abstract book.