About Me

Hi there! I am currently a Senior Environmental Scientist in the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s Office of Environmental Justice and Equity, where I promote language access and support government-community engagement.

I grew up in Fallbrook, CA, and graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a B.S. in Mathematics (emphasis in Statistics) and minor in Spanish, engaging in several community service projects during my undergraduate years. I earned a Ph.D. in Biostatistics at the University of Washington, where I focused on interpreting, visualizing, and improving statistical methods to construct heart-healthy dietary patterns. While at the University of Washington, I also had the honor and joy of traveling solo through Asia and Latin America via the Bonderman Fellowship. I went on to serve as a Science Policy Fellow at the California Council on Science and Technology, where I gained insight into how state policymaking and technical communication efforts evolve, and I have continued within environmental science policy.

I value collaborating with interdisciplinary researchers, community partners, and local agencies, as well as translating health and scientific studies into data-driven recommendations and visualizations. With over 8 years of experience in public health research, statistical consulting, public outreach, and student mentorship, I have a strong background in data analyses, visualizations, and presentations; interdisciplinary collaborations; grant writing; and team management. You can learn more about my career path at my 2026 Lathisms spotlight.

I am an avid proponent and organizer of initiatives that build community and highlight resources for underserved folks in STEM, as well as those that share research implications accessibly in English and Spanish. I am active in bio/statistical communities on efforts to make math and statistics more accessible and inclusive, including co-leading the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee for the Western North American Region of the International Biometric Society (WNAR). Our committee has established an annual satellite workshop held in conjunction with WNAR’s conference since 2024 to introduce students of all ages to quantitative fields and careers.

I am excited to be gaining public policy experience at this time, as this training complements my leadership involvement, civic engagement, and mentorship roles undertaken since my undergraduate years. I am committed to empowering underserved students and families to achieve their well-being and academic goals.