We’re excited to announce that Héctor Torres Vera has been named one of 51 2022 HHMI Gilliam Fellows! Héctor is a rising third year graduate student in the Schepartz Lab at Berkeley. In addition to their research, they are an Editor and contributor to the Berkeley Science Review and on the leadership committee of Boricuas at Berkeley. They are also part of the committee organizing Inclusive Biosciences (iBio), a grassroots conference that aims to tackle specific, palpable themes surrounding historically underrepresented communities in STEM. Héctor comes to Berkeley from the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, where they studied chemistry.
The Gilliam Fellowship for Advanced Study provides support for three years of graduate study, as well as opportunities for professional development and networking. In addition, Professor Schepartz has been named a Gilliam Adviser and will participate in a year-long, culturally responsive mentorship development course and Diversity and Inclusion project.