It is not often that one gets to meet a Latina scientist, wife, mom, fashionista, who is a genetic epidemiologist. She is Dr. Bertha Hidalgo. With impressive degrees from Stanford and USC, the first generation Mexican-American is a strong supporter of Latinas in science and has been documenting her academic and family journey in the platform she created in 2014, Chic in Academia.
Dr. Bertha and I talked about parenting with COVID, her work as an epidemiologist, her two sons, and her views about the vaccines available to prevent the COVID-19. As an epidemiologist, she gets to study how a disease is spread, factors that causes the spread, the populations affected, the risks, among others.
As far as the vaccines are concerned, Dr.Bertha offers many reasons why she will be the first in line when it is available for everyone, which will take time because essential workers and older people will come first.
For more info, check out the CDC website.
I invite you to watch our IGTV!
An advocate of women and diversity in science, Dr. Bertha encourages girls to pursue STEM careers. “How great it would be that Latinas would be at the research tables when scientists are working on a needed vaccine!”
Here are 3 tips from Dr. Bertha as we continue on a wearing-mask, social distance, avoid indoor spaces / people gathering holiday season:
- Stay home!
- Be honest and be patient with our kids.
- Wear a mask!
Thank you, Dr. Bertha!
