Written by: Ana Arellano
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15. During this time, we celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain and Latin America. The dates coincide with national independence days in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, CMS is reflecting on the importance of our Hispanic and Latinx/o/a students, faculty, affiliate faculty, researchers, and staff. I did a Q&A with members of our Hispanic/Latinx/a/o community here at the USF College of Marine Science. Here’s what they had to say:
Natalia B. López Figueroa, Ph.D. student
What is your role at USF CMS?
I am a Ph.D. Candidate in the Reef Indicators Lab under the advisement of Dr. Pamela Hallock Muller. I study the ecological role of the upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea spp.) and the potential of utilizing them as bioindicators of human disturbances and pollution in coastal ecosystems. I am also the Program Chair and Co-Chair of the Junior Scientist Program of the St. Petersburg Science Festival and the Outreach Officer for the CMS Marine Science Advisory Committee (MSAC).
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
The Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to bring visibility and awareness of the issues impacting our community. It is also another opportunity for a cultural exchange!
What does it mean to be an oceanographer?
Being an oceanographer has allowed me to not only understand the element that surrounded me through my life in Puerto Rico, but also the path to endless adventures and opportunities. As my advisor said: "Oceanography is ecology on steroids" and this is the best statement to describe it. As an oceanographer I have had incredible experiences nationally, met incredible people and diverse environments, but the best part has been to learn and understand how the Earth processes work!
Do you have mentors or role models who have helped shape your life or career path?
My career has been built thanks to mentors, the majority being Latinx/Hispanic. Without my mentors my journey through science would have not been possible. I thank my mentors every day and stay in contact with them.
What advice do you have for the next generation of Hispanic or Latinx/a/o scientists?
Determination is the key to pursue what you want to achieve in your life. Having mentors is essential for your growth and make sure to pay it forward. Never forget the sense of community and family that our Latinx culture has. It is what keeps us together and makes us stronger even when we are away from home.
Laura Carvalho Britto Campello de Azevedo, PhD student
What is your role at USF CMS?
I'm a 3rd year PhD student in Physical Oceanography with Dr. Mark Luther.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Honestly, I do not feel that it is my month to celebrate. I am not Hispanic nor do I have Hispanic heritage. Even though I am Brazilian, I think that our culture is so different. I feel that in the US, people see as from Mexico below, all belonging from the same Hispanic cultures and they don't take in account different countries like French Guiana or Brazil. Brazil is the largest country in all Central and South Americas, with the largest population and still seems like the US does not see the difference. Besides our language, our colonization and totally different population, our food and spices are totally different, our music, our influences... So much... Most Brazilians do not identify as being part of any Hispanic culture. It is a complex subject.
What does it mean to be an oceanographer?
It means that I get to work and interact and try to understand nature better, from its largest element, the ocean. It means that I get to try to make the world a better place by studying how to make use of our oceans in a healthy, sustainable way and better understanding climate change. It means that you certainly choose a profession by love and not for any other reason...
Do you have mentors or role models who have helped shape your life or career path?
I chose Oceanography because I loved the ocean, I loved waves and I loved surfing (even though no I don't surf, just love the sport). My undergrad advisor was my first mentor and he helped me a LOT get into physical instrumentation, which is my specialty now. As another role model I had Michael Vogel when I was young. He’s the most well-known Physical Oceanographer from Shell! He is retired now but I wanted to be like him... I’d like to work in a private company and be extremely respected.
What advice do you have for the next generation of Hispanic or Latinx/a/o scientists?
My advice may be a little cheesy, but it is: understand what your passion is (it may take some time) and go find a way to do exactly what you love, even if people tell you that you can't, or that you will not make enough money, just go for it. And be brave... It will not be an easy path.
Dr. Isabel C Romero, Research Associate
What is your role at USF CMS?
My role as a research associate at USF CMS is to discover new chemical patterns associated with ecological processes and environmental pollution from the deep-sea to coastal habitats while also motivating students to be excited about the importance of lipids in chemical oceanography.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
It is the opportunity to share the Hispanic culture here in the US, praise our cultural heritage and accomplishments, and celebrate the richness of our culture with others. It is a fun time that definitively will serve future generations to cultivate diversity and inclusiveness continually.
What does it mean to be an oceanographer?
To use science as a tool to teach and see the world as a whole, oneness, where connectivity among all our natural resources is what prevails and maintains it all.
Do you have any mentors or role models who have helped shape your life or career path?
I have been very fortunate to have multiple people helping me during my career. One person who has always given me loads of advice is Dr. Marylin Fogel (Biogeochemist). I met her in grad school during my multiple field trips to the mangrove islands in Belize. After I graduated, we kept in contact with her support in each step I took. Her blog is the best and recommended for everyone going into science (“Advice from the Isotope Queen: Building a Meaningful Career While Enjoying a Full Life”).
What advice do you have for the next generation of Hispanic or Latinx/a/o scientists?
Embrace your background, speak up, and always have fun!
Catalina Rubiano, Graduate student
What is your role at USF CMS?
I am a graduate student.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
It is a reminder to be grateful for the unique upbringing I had and the beautiful culture I was given as the daughter of a Hispanic father.
What does it mean to be an oceanographer?
Being an oceanographer means dedicating yourself to understanding the power of the ocean and its inner workings. In a sense, it is a declaration of love because to dedicate time to knowing and understanding the ocean is to love it.
Do you have any mentors or role models who have helped shape your life or career path?
Many friends, loved ones, and mentors in academia have inspired me and helped guide my path. My mother and father have always fostered my love of the ocean by bringing me to incredible corners of the world, like Colombia, and allowing me to immerse myself in the ocean there (e.g., through SCUBA certification).
What advice do you have for the next generation of Hispanic or Latinx/a/o scientists?
Your heritage is something that makes you unique, so make sure to bring that into your career. Hispanic cultures are generally vibrant and expressive cultures, so infuse that passion into your work because it will set you apart.
Dr. Larry J. Dishaw, Associate Professor in the College of Medicine, Pediatrics
What is your role at USF CMS?
I am an Associate Professor in the College of Medicine, Pediatrics. I am an affiliate faculty of CMS and I co-advise graduate students interested in gut immunity, microbiome, symbiosis, etc. We study the gut as an interface with the environment.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month is important as it reminds us to take a pause and reflect on our unique cultures, heritage (and amazing food!), and also the struggles our family members faced as part of the immigrant experience.
What does it mean to be an oceanographer?
While I am not an oceanographer, my interests are very close. I grew up curious and then passionate about topics that involved marine biology, phylogeny of life and of immune defense pathways, and the interface between the basic sciences and medicine. The ocean is not just wonderful and fascinating and critical to our very survival, e.g., carbon cycle, but will likely be a major source of future therapeutics.
Do you have any mentors or role models who have helped shape your life or career path?
My grandfather (now deceased), who had very little education but was incredibly curious, open- minded, and had an inspiring work ethic. I was very close to him and I still think of him every day. In high school (11th grade), I started interning in a marine biology lab at FIU in Miami. This experience transformed my life and future career. The professor was kind, patient, and passionate about mentorship. To this day, he remains a major inspiration.
What advice do you have for the next generation of Hispanic or Latinx/a/o scientists?
Remain curious, driven, and focused. Diversity is important in the sciences, and as Latinos we leverage our rich heritage. We must always
Dr. Frank Muller-Karger, Professor, Biological Oceanography
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for reflection and celebration of our Latin-American history and culture, including the diversity of language, diversity of foods, thoughts, and our rich diversity in geography. It is also a time to remember the many injustices that have taken place in the Americas and to use that as inspiration to change things for the better for everyone.
What does it mean to be an oceanographer?
Being an oceanographer is learning about the Earth and particularly about the ocean to solve problems. There are many scientific and social problems that can only be solved by combining concepts from physics, chemistry, geology, and biology, and by working in teams. Being an oceanographer is finding satisfaction in combining these elements in a way in which everyone feels they are contributing to the solution.
Do you have mentors or role models who have helped shape your life or career path?
Yes, there are many - too many to count. The list starts with my Mother and my Father, many others in my immediate family including my brothers and sisters. Very specifically, in my science career some people stand out, including Vera Alexander, Chuck McClain, James Yoder, Ramon Varela, Yrene Astor, and John Walsh - but the list of role models is in the many hundreds.
What advice do you have for the next generation of Hispanic or Latinx/a/o scientists?
Focus on excellence and work in every possible aspect of your life, and enjoy work with others and your own life.