My name is Martina. I am a Toxicologist, Science Communicator and STEM Education Advocate who supports the next generation of scientists. I have worked with various professional scientific societies and organizations who are committed to broadening participation in STEM careers. My experiences as a researcher, science communicator, and doing education advocate has inspired me to create a career that intersects STEM, communication and STEM education.
One of the most common questions I get asked is: What is toxicology? Usually this question is followed by: What can you do with that? Most people assume that toxicologists only work on autopsies and do CSI type work.
Yes, forensic toxicologists can do this type of work, but there are other options out there. Just like many STEM fields, toxicology is interdisciplinary and allows you to solve problems. Even though my career choices are not limited, I realized that there was a limited number of underrepresented groups in toxicology. As a Black woman in STEM representation is important to me.
My journey is not linear and it had bumps along the road, like most scientists. These bumps taught me to:
- Break out of silos
- Embrace all of my identities
- Explore what STEM has to offer
- Be open
- Be authentic
- My journey is mine
- Rejection, failure and mistakes are all part of the learning process
In addition, STEM has given me the opportunity to wear many hats, including, but not limited to: researcher, science communicator, science writer, director, coordinator, STEM educator and my list keeps growing. A STEM career opens doors for innovation, solutions to problems and brings issues that need to change to action. To me it is at the intersection of STEM with other disciplines that big things happen.
What did your bumps teach you? Share below.