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Michelle Herrera

University of California, Irvine

Michelle Herrera is a fifth year PhD candidate at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), studying how environmental and dietary changes affect the physiology and microbiome of animals. She is co-founder of UCI’s Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) chapter.

APS Porter Physiology Development Fellowship is one of the Society’s flagship award programs, highlighting scientific excellence in researchers from underrepresented backgrounds. We asked our Porter Fellows to tell us about their research, the impact of the Fellowship and their advice to other underrepresented scientists. Here, Michelle Herrera, one of our esteemed Porter Fellows, shares more about her research and words of wisdom.

What did the fellowship allow you to do outside of your research?

Since I was awarded the Porter Fellowship, I have been fortunate to be able to spend time searching for internships in the zoo research field. I secured an internship with the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where I am studying how fecal microbiota transfers can ameliorate gastrointestinal states in greater one-horned rhinos. This also enabled me to expand my network in the area in which I would like to find a postdoctoral position.

What is your advice to young people from underrepresented backgrounds interested in getting into science?

My biggest advice is to reach out to people and ask them to be your mentor. I found that my mentors played a huge role in getting me to the place I am now. I feel with a supportive mentor, you have so many opportunities open to you. Mentors can be anyone ranging to a principal investigator to a fellow graduate student. Having a diversity of mentors is extremely helpful to feel supported and welcomed in the science field.