Erika Sylvia Nacim, MPH, WISE Program Coordinator
Erika Sylvia Nacim was born and raised in El Paso, Texas until moving to Tucson, Arizona to attend High School. She then moved to Los Angeles, California to complete Bachelor degrees in Cell & Molecular Biology and Spanish Literature at Occidental College. She returned to Tucson for a Masters in Public Health program in Global Health at the University of Arizona, having lived, studied, and worked in England, Sweden, and Peru. She is currently pursuing two doctoral degrees, a PhD in Mexican American Studies and an EdS in Teaching, Learning, and Sociocultural Studies. She was the Program Coordinator for the Women in Science & Engineering Program (WISE) from 2019-2021.
Denise Renteria, Imagine Your Stem Future Student Worker
Denise Renteria graduated from the University of Arizona in May 2022 with a Bachelors degree in civil engineering, and a minor in Spanish. She was a student worker with the Imagine Your STEM Future Program from 2021-2022. She is originally from Santa Clara, California, and grew up in Arizona. Denise has been actively involved in the healthcare field regardless of her major and enjoys helping others in any way that she can. She is also a first-generation college student, and her college experience hasn’t been easy but not impossible. Denise believes that through hard work and dedication one can accomplish anything! Denise says that "being a woman in a STEM field comes with a lot of challenges however, there are so many advantages and lessons that one can learn." She is a huge advocate for Women in STEM fields because she knows what it’s like to be a minority and realizes that this needs to change. Denise is one to give back to the communities that once helped her grow into the individual that she is today. Denise's passion for civil engineering continues to grow and is excited to continue to follow this path. She knows for a fact that she did not choose the wrong career path!
Lizbeth Perez, Student Support Specialist
Lizbeth Perez (she/her) was the Student Support Specialist for the Bio/Diversity Project from 2020-2022. She is most recently from Yuma, AZ, and moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona. She joined the WISE team after being part of the Bio/Diversity Project as an intern in Fall 2019. Her year-long appointment as a Spanish Specializing Intern gave her a new outlook on her place in the university and led her to a path of mentorship in the environmental sciences. She also gained the knowledge and experience to support incoming interns and support the behind-the-scenes ongoings of the Bio/Diversity Project. Lizbeth graduated from the University of Arizona in May 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources with an Emphasis in Wildlife Conservation. After graduating, she obtained a job with Saguaro National Park as a NextGeneration Park ranger and credits her time with the Bio/Diversity Project on her path to this new role.
