Feb 16, 2018
Evelyn Valdez-Ward has been sharing the story of how her undocumented status has affected her life as an eco-physiologist-in-training.
Now a PhD student at the University of California, Irvine, Evelyn worked with Tyson researchers Scott Mangan and Claudia Stein during the summers of 2014 and 2015. She completed her undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Houston-Downtown in 2016.
Evelyn Valdez-Ward (right) and TERFer Megan Kerr in the Natural Enemies lab space at Tyson during summer 2015.
Evelyn wrote a piece in Science explaining the very specific challenges facing DACA recipients who are pursuing post-graduate degrees in the sciences. While DACA status has provided many more options for undocumented students to pursue their studies, there are still limitations to receiving research funding because of lack of U.S. citizenship.
The stories of many DACA recipients were recently highlighted by Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, during her record setting 8-hour speech on February 7. Evelyn's story was shared at the 6 hour 17 minute mark.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks on the House floor.
Learn more about Evelyn's research and her personal journey at her website.