Marena Guzman, Alum (2012)

Marena is originally from Mexico City, Mexico, she was raised in Phoenix, Arizona and didn’t know she wasn’t a citizen until her sophomore year. Before DACA existed, she worried about whether going to college was a possibility for her. At the Aguila summer symposium, Marena connected with St. Mary’s University where she graduated in 2016 with a Bachelors of Science in Biology and Chemistry. Currently, Marena is a PhD candidate in the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University studying molecular mechanisms of human pathogens using fruit flies. Marena is also a DACA recipient and the current student advisor for the Crimson Group, an activist support group for undocumented students at WSU.

“I wouldn’t be where I am now without Aguila so I always try to be involved and give back to the organization to help students like me. I didn’t know I wanted to be a scientist when I was in high school but I’m really happy that I kept going. My academic journey has shown me that I just love to learn – I love to ask specific questions and think about a solution. Other careers like engineering and law do this too but I love what I do because I get to read about COVID-19 on the news and actually understand at the molecular level how this virus takes over human lung cells. I’m very thankful for my education and I want to continue giving back in other ways because it’s very important to me that Latino/Hispanic students know that STEM is more than engineering and math – the “S” is for science! I am the President of our WSU SACNAS* chapter because this national organization tackles the major problem of underrepresentation of minorities in the STEM workforce. My goal is that one day my dream job combines my appreciation for science and my passion for empowering our immigrant community.”

*Society for Advancing Chicanos/Latinos and Native Americans in Science