Recently, two UHD students earned awards at the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) conference in Washington D.C.

More than 3,400 students and science professionals gathered for three-days of cutting-edge science, mentoring, networking, and professional development. Undergraduate and graduate students from across the country presented research on topics ranging from biofuels and alternative energies to water management and breast cancer, while STEM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) professionals conducted panels on professional development, mentoring and leadership.

The following UHD students were selected from nearly a thousand undergraduate and graduate student presenters for their outstanding research. The winners were:

• Kiara Andrade, Biology
• Evelyn Valdez-Rangel, Botany/Plant Sciences

Honored speakers included DJ Patil, U.S. Chief Data Scientist; Ernest Moniz, U.S. Secretary of Energy; Mike Connor, U.S. Assistant Deputy Secretary Department of Interior.

SACNAS is the largest multicultural and multidisciplinary STEM diversity organization in the U.S. reaching a community of nearly 20,000. Representatives from colleges, universities, government agencies and industry across the nation share thousands of opportunities with attendees at each annual conference.