Valeria Perez Rivera earned her bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez. She is currently a master’s student in the College of Engineering at Louisiana State University.
Her passion for science communication was sparked by a personal experience that revealed the urgent need for accessible scientific information. After witnessing the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria on vulnerable communities, she recognized how essential it is for people to understand their natural environment, and how few scientists were actively sharing that knowledge with the public. The lack of accessible scientific information left many communities without the tools needed to prepare for or respond to natural disasters. This experience not only shaped her academic path but also deepened her commitment to making science understandable and accessible to all. Explaining geoscience concepts to her family in simple, relatable terms also further strengthened her dedication to breaking down barriers to scientific understanding. This led her to create Spanish-language geoscience content on social media, focusing on topics that are often overlooked or not fully accessible within a school curriculum.
One of her primary goals is to expand the reach of her science communication efforts beyond Puerto Rico and connect with audiences of all ages across diverse Hispanic communities. For her outreach project, Valeria offered mentoring sessions aimed at helping students, particularly those from marginalized communities, identify their personal motivations and learn how to express them effectively. She provided guidance on clearly articulating their passions and goals in applications for jobs, internships, and graduate programs.
