STEAM Dreamers March Panel

Join us as we host our monthly virtual panel with our amazing STEAM Dreamer features! Ask questions live and have them answered so that you can walk away with some more inspiration on how to make your STEAM journey more fulfilling. 

Ashley Huderson, PhD:

Director-Engineering Education, ASME

Career: Biomedical Science, STEM Policy Expert

Dr. Ashley Huderson is a researcher, STEM Policy Expert, Professor, Author, Speaker and Entrepreneur. Dr. Huderson is a 2X HBCU graduate, currently overseeing all of the engineering education and outreach activities at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. She has published over 10 technical papers, 2 book chapters, and received numerous awards related to mentorship, leadership, and STEM advocacy. She is a native of New Orleans, LA and currently works in the DMV area.

Kristen Lear, PhD:

Endangered Species Interventions Specialist, Bat Conservation International

Career: Zoology/Bat Conservationist

Dr. Kristen Lear is a bat conservationist working around the world to protect bat species through research, community engagement with conservation efforts, and public outreach. She got her first taste of bat conservation in 6th grade when she built and installed bat houses for her Girl Scout Silver Award project. Since then she has worked with bats in places like Texas, Australia, and Mexico, and now works at Bat Conservation International as an Endangered Species Interventions Specialist coordinating the organization's Agave Restoration Initiative for endangered pollinating bats in the U.S. Southwest and Mexico. Kristen is a Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts, National Geographic Explorer, and AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador working to inspire the next generation of women in STEM. Kristen also loves talking with people about bats and regularly leads bat workshops, evening bat walks, bat house building workshops, and kid's activities. She even designs bat-themed clothing to share her passion! Learn more about Kristen at https://kristenlear.wixsite.com/batconservation/

Margaret Cortes:

Education Consultant/ Founder, Engineering Next

Career: Civil Engineering

I am a college consultant who advises students interested in engineering and STEM. I’m also a professional engineer. During my 20 years in the engineering industry, I’ve had roles on projects in transportation, utilities, and technology. As my career progressed I was surrounded by relatively few women and people of color. Because of this, and my volunteer experience with youth, I eventually realized that one small way to help address this lack of diversity was to mentor students - especially girls - in their engineering college search. As part of building my practice, I have also personally visited over 100 colleges and engineering programs (and continue to do so virtually), to stay current on how to best advise students on their college options. I hold engineering degrees from McGill University and MIT, and a College Planning certificate from UC Berkeley.

Semarhy Quiñones, PhD

Lecturer - California State University, Sacramento

Career: Microbiologist & Science Artist

Dr. Semarhy Quiñones is a bacterial geneticist and artist. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico, Humacao. She obtained her Ph.D. degree in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis, where she studied the origin of mutations under stressful conditions. Currently, Dr. Quiñones-Soto works as a full-time biology lecturer at California State University, Sacramento. She also works as coordinator and advisor for the CSU-LSAMP & RISE Programs to help increase the number of students entering graduate programs. In addition to teaching, she is passionate about increasing the visibility of women in the sciences. She works her passion to develop a diverse pool of scientists by coordinating, advising and mentoring science students, and through community outreach and her artwork.