Hispanic and Latine heritage has been long celebrated in the United States since 1968. Originally it was a week of observance aimed to recognize and honor the contributions and cultural heritage of Latine communities proposed by former President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan’s administration expanded it to a month-long celebration, providing a more extensive period to commemorate the independence days of several Latin American countries. Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a valuable opportunity to spotlight not only our rich cultural contributions—such as traditions, cuisine, and arts—but also the significant impact of Hispanic and Latine individuals in various fields, including academia and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Commemorating the impacts underrepresented Hispanic and Latine scientists have had in their field engrains their efforts in United States history and inspires future generations to lead in their respective fields.

The Hispanic and Latine populations in the United States have historically been “underrepresented in… STEM in college majors and the workforce,” especially if English is their second language (Shi et al., 2023). The absence of a welcoming climate in STEM fields, driven by insufficient Hispanic representation, perpetuates a cycle that discourages Latine students from pursuing STEM-related careers. This is why spotlighting the accolades Hispanic scientists have pioneered is extremely important, as it inspires the next generations to accomplish their dreams, knowing that there are others who sound, look, and think like them. By highlighting diversity, we set the standard that anyone should be able to accomplish their dreams, regardless of the color of their skin, their accent, or their economic background. This fight towards a more diverse population in STEM-related careers fosters ambition and aims to break racial stereotypes that often hinder and deter people from continuing to pursue their academic careers in STEM. Although studies have been conducted to quantify and examine the effects of limited access to quality STEM education, it is crucial to recognize that these studies must also consider the intersecting identities of Hispanic individuals. Intersectionality requires examining various overlapping factors—such as ethnicity, immigration status, socioeconomic background, gender, language barriers, and cultural differences—because when these factors are examined individually, they do not capture the full scope of challenges faced (Collins et al., 2021). Analyzing these factors in isolation overlooks how they interact and compound; only by considering them together can we fully grasp the barriers that Latines face when pursuing STEM in a foreign country.

 It is not only the lack of quality education that poses a barrier for Hispanic and Latine English learners and aspiring scientists; it is the inability to academically and financially support budding and tenured primary investigators and researchers. For instance, “the inequities in… funding… [not only] limits their [Black and Hispanic female researchers] opportunities but also deprives the scientific community of their valuable perspectives and contributions” (ELHA Team, 2024). By stripping diversity of thought from research, the focus remains centered on the experiences and standards set by cisgender white males, often studying populations similar to their own. This diverts the attention needed from underserved communities who are most affected by social determinants; factors like socioeconomic status, education, healthcare access and living conditions that heavily influence their overall well-being. Heritage and culture do not prevent scientists from achieving their goals. It is compounding effects of cultural values, academic mentorship, ingrained racial biases, language proficiency and financial support that diminish the retention and impact Hispanic and Latine scientists have in their field. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s important to not only address the challenges faced by the Latine community in STEM but also commemorate the contributions made by Latine scientists, who against all odds, have paved the way for future generations.

1. Luis Walter Alvarez

Luis Walter Alvarez was the first Hispanic American to win a Nobel Prize in Physics for his “discovery of many resonant states through the [creation] of hydrogen bubble chambers” (Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia, 2024). This device allowed scientists to see and study subatomic particles’ behavior through the tiny bubbles left on their path through the liquid hydrogen of the chamber, leading to more important discoveries in particle physics. Earlier in his career, he developed three radar systems for World War II that included “the development of microwave beacons, linear radar antennas, the ground-controlled landing approach system, and a method for aerial bombing using radar to locate targets” (Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia, 2024). He was “one of the most brilliant and productive experimental physicists of the twentieth century,” according to the American Journal of Physics (2007). He attempted to locate and map rooms inside Egyptian pyramids using cosmic rays. Although no chambers were found, his system is still used. Alvarez also collaborated with his son, Walter Alvarez, with his geological and archaeological findings. They published their discovery of a clay layer of iridium which allowed them to “postulate that the iridium had been deposited following the impact on Earth of an asteroid or comet” (Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia, 2024). Their theory about dinosaur extinction was initially considered controversial but later garnered support from the scientific community.

2. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa

Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, also known as Dr. Q, is a Mexican-American neurosurgeon, author and researcher born in Mexicali, Mexico. At five years old, he started working to support his family by selling food at gas stations (“The Story of Dr.,” n.d.). Like many other young workers in Mexico, at 19, he decided to cross the border to sustain his family. Once in the United States, ”he worked for two years as a cotton picker, painter, and welder.” Quiñones received a scholarship to attend the University of California, Berkeley after five years of being in the States, where he worked tirelessly to master the English language and took science courses to catch up with his fellow classmates. Supported and mentored by his family and directors at the university, he applied “to Harvard Medical School, where he was accepted” (“The Story of Dr.,” n.d.). Taking advantage of research, extracurriculars and other opportunities around brain cancer and stem cell migration, Dr. Quiñones continued his academic clinical career at the University of California, San Francisco and later began his neurosurgery career at Johns Hopkins University as a Professor of Neurosurgery and Oncology, Neurology, and Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Director of the Brain Tumor Stem Cell Laboratory. “Nowadays, he is the ‘William J. and Charles H. Mayo Professor’ and Chair of Neurologic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida,” where he continues to use his talent with his patients. He is still an acting mentor to those around him and as a “co-founder and president of Mission:BRAIN, Bridging Resources and Advancing International Neurosurgery a 501 (c)(3) non-profit foundation” (“The Story of Dr.,” n.d.).

3. Raquel Urtasun

Raquel Urtasun is a renowned Spanish scientist and leader in the field of artificial intelligence for self-driving cars. She is best known for her work in developing advanced machine-learning algorithms that allow self-driving cars to understand their surroundings through her research interests in computer vision, remote sensing and robotics (2022). Urtasun is a current computer science professor at the University of Toronto. After her academic studies at the Universidad Publica de Navarra, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, and her postdoctoral work at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of California, Berkeley, she was “an assistant professor at the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago and a visiting professor at ETH Zurich” (Wikipedia contributors, 2024). During her time with Uber, she served as the Chief Scientist to “lead a Toronto-based research team on self-driving cars.” Urtasun has since left Uber to start her own company, Waabi, which is at the forefront of her field in “the next generation of autonomous trucking technology” (“Introducing the Waabi,” n.d.). Under her supervision, she hopes to “change the world of logistics, saving many lives and providing a more sustainable future” with Waabi’s Generative AI technology.

4. Helen Rodríguez Trías

Helen Rodríguez Trías was a pioneering American physician, advocate for women and children’s health, recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal, and the first Latina president of the American Public Health Association. Although she was born in New York, Rodriguez “experienced racism and discrimination first-hand… for growing up Puerto Rican” (“Dr. Helen,” n.d.). She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico twice, first for her bachelor’s degree and later her medical degree “with highest honors in 1960” (“Dr. Helen,” n.d.). At the start of her contribution to women’s and children’s health, “she established the first center for the care of newborn babies in Puerto Rico,” where her leadership resulted in a reduced newborn death rate by 50 percent in just three years. Her care knows no bounds. After deciding to dedicate herself to community medicine, she took charge of the pediatric department of a hospital that primarily served Puerto Ricans. Dr. Rodríguez continued her advocacy efforts by being “an active member of the women’s health movement,” especially in ensuring reproductive rights to combat internalized medical eugenics  (“Dr. Helen,” n.d.). Dr. Rodríguez realized that women who were poor, of color, or had physical disabilities were disproportionately subjected to sterilization compared to white, middle-class women. To combat this inequity, she co-founded the Committee to End Sterilization Abuse and the Committee for Abortion Rights and Against Sterilization Abuse, achieving standardized federal sterilization guidelines. Her heritage allowed for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to stipulate that women must be provided written consent for sterilization in a language they understand and allow time to pass before the procedure can take place. Her activism did not go unnoticed as she spearheaded the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute and the American Public Health Association as president.

5. Ynés Mexía

The first Mexican-American botanist, Ynés Enriquetta Julietta Mexía started her career at the age of 55. Mexía went to the University of California. Berkeley to study botany at 51 years of age after being inspired by her experience conserving the redwood forests. As a true introvert, “she quickly found out that she preferred to work alone… and began collecting [plants] independently,” collecting more than 1500 specimens (2021). Among one of the plants she collected, Mimosa Mexiae was “the first of many plants named after her.” Her skills led to securing funding and sponsorships for her botanical expeditions and adventures, “traveling all over the Americas” on her own or “with a few Indigenous guides” (2021). As an advocate she spoke on behalf of the Indigenous communities “in the areas she collected, valuing their knowledge, perspective, and right to the land” (2021). Although many doubted and judged her for her dedication to her job for being a widowed and divorced woman, she exceeded everyone’s expectations by traveling through Latin America alone: something people considered to be impossible. Stereotypes did not deter Mexía; they further motivated her to immerse herself in nature, resulting in collecting over 145,000 specimens over her 13-year career. A group of closely related species, known as the Mexianthus genus, with more than 50 species were named after her. Mexía discovered and classified over 500 plants.

Combatting historical underrepresentation begins with acknowledging the systemic racial biases that hinder aspiring Hispanic and Latine individuals from pursuing careers in science. Uplifting contemporary and past scientists permits us to see their journey, celebrate their accomplishments and acknowledge the work needed to be done to make entering the STEM field a more supportive transition for future generations of scientists. These were only a handful of Latine pioneers, but Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a reminder to talk and learn about Hispanic and Latine culture and the people who may not always receive the attention they deserve.