Latina Science Outreach and Diversity Advocate Is Among 65 Inspiring Women in STEM Award Winners

San Juan, PR — Dr. Mónica I. Feliú-Mójer, Vice-Director for Ciencia Puerto Rico (CienciaPR) and Science Outreach Program Manager for iBiology, has been selected to receive the 2016 Inspiring Women in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

This award honors women who work to make a difference in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Dr. Feliú-Mójer will be featured, along with 64 other recipients, in the September 2016 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.

“Dr. Feliú-Mójer has dedicated her life and work to mentoring and empowering women and underrepresented minorities to find success in STEM careers,” said Dr. Giovanna Guerrero-Medina, CienciaPR ‘s Executive Director. “She has inspired countless numbers of people through her outreach work. All of us at Ciencia Puerto Rico are extremely proud of her.”

Inspiring Women in STEM Award recipients were nominated by colleagues or mentees and selected by INSIGHT Into Diversity based on their efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young women to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives.

Ms. Yomarie Bernier, PhD Candidate at Turabo University in Puerto Rico and one of the students who has benefitted from Dr. Feliú-Mójer’s mentoring, remarked: “Mónica has been a great role model and advisor to me and many other students. She motivates people with her charisma and passion for her work.”

As Vice-director of CienciaPR, a non-profit that promotes STEM education and careers by engaging Latinx STEM professionals, Dr. Feliú-Mójer manages programs to strengthen the professional development of graduate students and connect them with role models and mentors and she leads the organization’s science communication initiatives.

“This award is very special. I cherish the opportunity to pay it forward to future generations and honor the trailblazers on whose shoulders we all stand,” said Dr. Feliú-Mójer. “I am humbled to be recognized for my work empowering young scientists, particularly young scientists of color, to make sure they develop the leadership skills they need succeed in their careers and also lift their communities as they climb.”

Dr. Feliú-Mójer, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico and has a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Harvard University, is an expert using culturally-relevant and experiential-based lessons to make science and scientific role models accessible to underserved audiences. She has helped edit and publish over 240 science articles for a general public and in 2013 was recognized with the Paul Shin Memorial Award from the Coalition for the Public Understanding of Science. Her work has been featured on international media outlets, such as Univisión, VOXXI, and Scientific American, among others.

In addition to working with CienciaPR, she is also Science Outreach Program Manager for iBiology, a UCSF-based non-profit organization that produces free educational online videos featuring the world’s leading biologists.

“Dr. Feliú-Mójer’s passion for making science as inclusive as possible through outreach, communication, and education has been both inspiring and motivating for us here at iBiology,” said Dr. Sarah Goodwin, iBiology’s Director. “The Inspiring Women in STEM award is a wonderful recognition of her commitment and dedication to improving access to science for all.”

For more information about the 2016 Inspiring Women in STEM Award, please visit: http://www.insightintodiversity.com/wp-content/media/digitalissues/september2016/

About INSIGHT Into Diversity

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education today and is known for its annual INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award that recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine presents timely, thought-provoking news and feature stories on matters of diversity and inclusion in higher education and beyond. Articles include interviews with innovators and experts, as well as explorations of best practices and profiles of exemplary programs. In our Career Center, readers will also discover career opportunities that connect job seekers with institutions and businesses that embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce. Current, archived, and digital issues of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine are available online at insightintodiversity.com.

About Ciencia Puerto Rico

Ciencia Puerto Rico (www.cienciapr.org) is a nonprofit organization that promotes STEM education & careers through a technology-enabled community of >7,500 STEM professionals, students and educators. The organization leverages its member’s expertise and commitment to increase the visibility & impact of Latinx STEM role models; inform, mentor and advise scientists at all stages; and create culturally relevant educational and training resources. Through Ciencia Puerto Rico, Latinx STEM professionals contribute to STEM education and careers, no matter where they are located. In 2015, Ciencia Puerto Rico was recognized as a Bright Spot in STEM education by the White House Initiative for Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

About iBiology

iBiology (ibiology.org) is a nonprofit organization that produces free online videos about science, the process of science and professional development by the world’s leading biologists. With over 400 videos spanning a wide range of topics, iBiology increases access to the latest research, discoveries, and techniques for millions of viewers each year. iBiology is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute for General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), and is made possible by the good will of many biologists and educators who are committed to making free resources available to anyone with an internet connection.