Jay Gogue, Interim President of the NMSU System | New Mexico State University
Jay Gogue, Interim President of the NMSU System | New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University biology assistant professor Adriana Romero Olivares is featured in the book "Determined to be Extraordinary: Spectacular Stories of Modern Women in STEM." The publication shares the personal stories of 27 female scientists who have overcome various challenges to succeed. These women come from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, classes, and cultures.
Romero Olivares shared her journey, saying, “I grew up with my family and no scientists nearby, just my parents not really knowing that you could pursue a career in science, that I could become a biologist.” She was raised in Sonora, Mexico, and pursued her education at the Autonomous University of Baja California for her bachelor's and master's degrees. She completed her Ph.D. in biological sciences at the University of California at Irvine before becoming a postdoctoral fellow at the University of New Hampshire. In 2020, she joined NMSU's College of Arts and Sciences as part of their biology faculty.
Her research focuses on mitigating global warming effects while exploring microbial ecology questions. Her childhood experiences in the desert influenced her appreciation for the environment. “That definitely shaped me to appreciate the environment,” she said.
The book aims to inspire young girls to consider STEM careers by sharing these women's stories. Romero Olivares noted that she wasn't always a strong student but was encouraged by teachers and acquaintances during high school. This support played a significant role in her decision to study biology.
An excerpt from her story highlights her perspective: “From a very young age, I did not ‘fit the mold’ of how a woman was supposed to behave... I was especially good at biology and above all, I loved the Earth.”
"Determined to be Extraordinary" has received recognition as a winner of both the 2024 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Silver Medal and the 2024 NYC Big Book Award.
Romero Olivares has been recognized with several awards herself and was invited last year to join an American Academy of Microbiology think tank organization. This group produces reports on microbes' importance in climate change projections for policymakers and other agencies.
She emphasized that sharing imperfect journeys can show young girls various paths leading to science careers: “I feel like there were just so many different points throughout my childhood... where things might not have worked.”
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