Meet the UndocuBruins Research Program Scholars!

Date/Time
Monday, May 18, 2020
All Day

0

Contact Information
Alice Ho
310-794-4186
Alice Ho


Meet the UndocuBruins Research Program Scholars!

 

The UndocuBruins Research Program (UBRP) guides undocumented AAP students in their junior and senior year to develop first hand research experience and provides mentorship for graduate school goals. Below you will find each scholar’s research topic and biographies.

We encourage you to support our scholars for Undergraduate Research Week during May 18-22.

Click here to learn more about UBRP

Dana Herrera
One person’s trash is a mother’s treasure: Reframing an undocumented Latina mother’s strategies to sustain her family through cash recycling.

My name is Dana Herrera and I was born in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. My mother, sister and I migrated to the United States when I was eight years old. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley where I graduated from Panorama High School in 2012. My transition from high school into college was not inclusive of me since I was an undocumented, first generation college student and the financial resources were non-existent for undocumented students. While I did attend community college for two semesters I soon realized that I could not afford to pay for community college without financial assistance. Luckily at the same time, while I was being pushed out of college, I was able to benefit from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). After being part of the workforce for many years, I came to the realization that my dream had always been to make a difference in the world. In 2017 I gave community college a second chance and in this moment is when everything and everyone I met during this journey impacted my life in significant ways. With my community behind me and determination I transferred to UCLA in fall 2019 from Los Angeles Valley College home of the beautiful Monarchx. At UCLA I plan to obtain a B.A. in Sociology and Chicanx and Central American Studies. My educational journey was not an easy ride. I was faced with multiple barriers and reminders that this higher education journey was not designed for students like myself. Soon enough I started to deconstruct all the internalized messages about my education, and I have created my own messages about how deserving I am of my own education. Ultimately, as a non-traditional student I have learned to embrace and create my own path tailored with my own unique needs. The people and experiences I have encountered through this journey have been the most cherishable moments of my life. My goal is to go into the field of Education Policy in Higher Education. I plan on creating policy that is inclusive to all students, regardless of sex, gender, race, ethnicity, class, and immigration status.

“Always remember that it’s not what an educational institution can do for you, but what YOU bring with you to higher educational institutions for the transformation of institutions that were never designed to serve students like you!”-Dana

Dana’s Presentation

 

Francisco Javier Osuna Zayas
Shedding Light on the Undocumented Transfer Experience: The Resiliency Strategies of Undocumented Men from Latinx Backgrounds
Mucho gusto! Hello everyone, my name is Francisco Javier Osuna Zayas (Javi), and I was born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa Mexico. Currently, I am a first year Transfer Student from Mt. San Antonio College looking to achieve my BS in Sociology & Chicanx and Central American Studies as well as minor in Education. As for my long-term goals I plan to attain my PhD in Educational Equity and come back to work in the Community College System in order to make it more accessible and properly serve underrepresented communities. I will continue to advocate for Undocumented and Latinx students and Men of Color along my journey.

Francisco’s Presentation

 

Rosario L. Ordaz
Latinx Youth Extracurricular Involvement and Psychological Outcomes
My name is Rosario Lizbeth Ordaz. I was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and I migrated to Los Angeles, CA when I was nine years old. Since my arrival I have lived in Huntington Park and in 2016 I graduated from Huntington Park High School. I am a first generation fourth-year student double majoring in Psychology and Spanish. My interest in psychology began when I was in high school and I could see myself pursuing a career in this field. Once I was at UCLA I was happy to know that in addition to psychology I could also learn more about my language and community so I decided to also major in spanish. After I obtain my B.A, I plan to pursue a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). My ultimate goal is to open my own private practice to work with underrepresented children, youth as well as their families.

Rosario’s Presentation

 

Martha Fuentes
Undocumented Students in Higher Education: Analysis of the Dream Resource Center in Community Colleges
Hello, my name is Martha Fuentes Guzman. I am from a small town in Michoacan, Mexico. I came to the U.S at the age of four,and I have lived in the city of South Gate ever since. My journey in higher education started at East Los Angeles College (ELAC). After three years, I transferred to UCLA as a Sociology major. During my time at UCLA I decided to pick up a minor in Labor & Workplace Studies. This June I will be the second one from my family to graduate from a four-year university. I plan to take a gap year before I apply to a graduate program for counseling. I want to become a community college counselor to guide and support students in any way possible to ensure their academic success. My biggest desire is to make higher education accessible to all students.

Martha’s Presentation

 

Jaqueline Cecilia Lopez
Exploring the Synthesis and Properties of Oligoanilines as Conducting Polymers
My name is Jaqueline Cecilia Lopez, but I go by Jackie. I was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and raised in Half Moon Bay, California since the age of 5. Being an immigrant taught me to be resilient and persevere. I carry this perseverance, and belief in a community, into scientific research where we search for answers to the issues we face as a society. I’ve always liked chemistry and science, so I became involved with research during my first year at UCLA. Through my various experiences, I learned to tackle problems using an interdisciplinary approach and enjoy seeing how everything ties together. Different fields begin to overlap and cooperate to help explain a single phenomenon. I believe research has the power to mend boundaries and unite us all as part of the human race. I want to use research to explore solutions to our current waste and pollution problem and guarantee a more sustainable future. Upon receiving my PhD in chemistry from Cornell, I hope to continue learning by continuing my own research, while also exciting others about chemistry as a professor at a top research institution. I intend to serve as a mentor to students from all different backgrounds and spark hope inside all students, especially, underrepresented students such as myself.
Presentation: Tuesday May 19th, 2-3:30PM, session 2 panel B

Jackie’s LIVE Presentation will be available on Tuesday

 

Metzli Ixchel Sanchez Garcia
Examining Housing Insecurity Within Higher Education: The Impact of COVID-19
My name is Metzli Sanchez and I was born in Morelos, Mexico. My mom and I moved to the U.S. a few days after I turned one year old. I am the oldest of four children and I am the first to earn a college degree. I grew up in the city of Baldwin Park and graduated from Baldwin Park High School. I studied at Rio Hondo College for two years, graduated with honors and transferred to UCLA during Fall 2018. Soon I will be graduating with a B.A. in Sociology and Minor in Public Affairs. After graduation, I plan on applying to law school to earn a J.D. and work with constitutional law or education law. My long-term goal is to open my own law firm and scholarship fund for first generation students. I would also like to give back to my community by teaching at my local elementary school. Currently, Latinx lawyers are underrepresented in the workforce. I hope to inspire more Latinx children and youth to aspire careers in law.

Metzli’s Presentation

 

Maria Fernanda Molina
Navigating Higher Education: First Gen Latinx Transfer Students and the Impact of Familial Support through the Lens of Community Cultural Wealth
Hello, my name is Maria Fernanda Molina. I’m originally from Hermosillo, Sonora, but raised in La Puente, CA. I’m a first-gen 2nd yr. transfer student majoring in Sociology and minoring in Education and Chicanx Studies. My research project was influenced by the challenges I’ve encountered throughout my journey in higher education as I transitioned from community college to a 4-year university. After graduation, I’ll be taking some time to apply to graduate school to continue my studies in Sociology. I hope to gather what I’ve learned to help children and families in underrepresented communities. I’m extremely proud of what I’ve accomplished so far and hope to continue to grow as an individual and as a scholar.

Maria’s Presentation

 

Diana I. Vallejo Ramirez
The Napa Valley Tourism Industry and the Latinx Workforce: Racialized Labor and the Hindering of Upward Mobility.
My name is Diana Itzel Vallejo Ramirez and I was born in Guanajuato, Mexico. I migrated to Napa Valley, California with my grandma at the age of 5 and I’m currently a graduating second-year transfer student from Napa Valley College. I’m also a first-generation college student double-majoring in Chicanx and Central American Studies & Labor Studies. My research is focused on the socio-economic impacts that the tourism industry has on the Latinx community in Napa Valley. I’m an aspiring Law-tina and hope to practice immigration or criminal defense law one day. My life long goal is to be able to advocate for, support and uplift my community in the way that they have for me throughout my journey in higher education.

Diana’s Presentation

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