What were you doing before you joined Hack the Hood?

In 2018, I graduated from UCLA, then got a Postdoc (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) position. Applied for a NSF grant, and I got it through San Diego State! For the last 2 years I was working on the grant, doing the research and the budget for $350K. The focus is on women of color STEM majors in the community college, looking at who influences them–how they think like scientists and how they navigate community college–and what schools they transfer to. It was fun learning about the unique pathways that Black and Brown women take to get into STEM careers.

What does AAPI Heritage month mean to you?

I never thought about that, because everyday is AAPI month. It’s just me living everyday, but I get it that they make these months for other people to reflect. We should definitely celebrate it everyday. It provides opportunities to think not only about contributions but also issues. Not a meritocracy type of celebration. Should be educational, it's not just American dream stories.

For example during the 1899-1902 American-Filipino war, Buffalo Soldiers (African-American soldiers) were sent to Philippines to fight for the Americans and they flipped to fight for Filipino independence. Many people don’t know that. 

What do you hope to accomplish at Hack the Hood?

I hope to work with the team in really making ethical and socially conscious Data Science come alive. I want to help inspire the next generation of tech change makers who will make things inclusive.

What is your background?

I’m Filipinx American, 1.5 generation, I came when I was younger. I took a Vietnamese American Experience course at UCLA, and that’s when I learned from my professor about young kids that came here during the Vietnam war use that term, 1.5.

Who are your role models or who do you look up to?

The women in my family. They’ve worked so hard and given everything and more to our families. 

Also, Larry Itliong, who worked alongside Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta in organizing labor unions, I admire his work. He also seems like he’d be a really cool uncle.