Striving to promote inclusivity in engineering and improve healthcare access for all, regardless of gender or background.
Valerie is from Lynwood, California, where growing up in an underserved community shaped her determination to expand opportunities for others. As a first-generation college student, she has overcome barriers to educational access while pursuing her dream of becoming a biomedical engineer. Inspired by watching her father design and build innovative equipment, Valerie discovered a passion for engineering and now hopes to develop technologies that improve healthcare access for low-income communities. She has also become a champion for inclusion, teaching cheers to students with disabilities through Cheerful Joys so they can perform alongside the school cheer team and have a visible presence on campus. As one of only three girls in her high school’s Project Lead The Way engineering program, Valerie has experienced firsthand the gender disparities in STEM and is committed to creating mentorship opportunities that empower more young women to pursue engineering. Through her resilience, compassion, and determination to challenge stereotypes, Valerie is poised to make a lasting impact on both her profession and her community. Her journey continues at University of Southern California, where her determination and passion for service will undoubtedly inspire meaningful change.
Leadership:
- 6-Year Thrive Scholar
- SoLa Miller Scholar (The SoLa Foundation)
- Youth Leadership Institute, Youth Mental Health Fellow
