|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
In the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), there’s one Latina doing impactful work to increase Latino and women’s representation: Dayna L. Martínez.
Martínez is the senior director of research and impact for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), a nonprofit and member-based organization that is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in 2024. SHPE is also the largest professional organization for Hispanic engineers. “We do a lot of work, and our mission is to empower the Hispanic community to fulfill their fullest potential through STEM,” she says.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Martínez talks about how she was always good at math and science and how her parents were adamant about her attending college. When asked who a role model for her was as a young girl, Martínez mentions her mother, and her strong work ethic and independence as a Latina in the banking industry.
Fast-forward to when she entered high school and met another role model, a Latina engineer. “Growing up, I did not know or have many engineers as role models,” Martínez says. “But my high school math teacher was also an industrial engineer, and that’s the first time I heard about engineering, and that’s how I started getting interested and looking into it.” She ultimately decided to pursue an education in industrial engineering.
It’s a full circle moment, as she’s been a SHPE member since she was an undergraduate student. “What really kept me from the beginning was that sense of community, and we call it a familia,” Martínez says.
And a pivotal moment with SHPE came as a graduate student when she was nominated and received the SHPE/Gem Graduate Award, which came with a scholarship. “It was that validation—we see you, you got this, we are proud of you—they have always been there for me,” she says.
“What really kept me from the beginning was that sense of community, and we call it a familia.”
Dayna L. Martínez
Her impressive academic background includes completing her Bachelor of Science in Puerto Rico and a master’s and doctorate in Florida for industrial engineering. Martínez’s professional experience includes working as a post-doctoral research associate and an assistant teaching professor at Northeastern University.
While there, Martínez talked about how she was the only Latina professor in the entire department at that time. “Then I started seeing it also in the classes, where I had one or two Latino students in each class,” Martínez says. “That’s when it really opened my eyes more as to this issue of how Hispanic individuals are underrepresented in STEM.”
SHPE was invited to the White House and brought 50 members of the organization to represent Latinos in STEM.
Now, after three years working at SHPE, she gets to work on programs that are very impactful for the Hispanic community, in addition to research and data analysis that can help inform SHPE’s work. “I love my job,” Martínez says. “I always tell people, if you want to talk about engineering, graduate school, or anything like that, email me or send me a message on LinkedIn.”
She shares how there’s still a lot of work to do in showing young girls more role models of women engineers, their work and impact, and how it is possible to pursue engineering. However, now in the time of social media, representation is more possible, as she points out that there many amazing content creators who are building that spark.
“It’s very important to spark that interest when they are young; that’s why we have the Equipando Padres program,” Martínez says. She also encourages high school students to join SHPE as a junior member, and to start getting involved with the organization and learning about STEM.
“It’s very important to spark that interest [in STEM] when they are young.”
Dayna L. Martínez
SPHE membership is open to undergraduate and graduate students, and STEM professionals, and high school students can join as junior members. Martínez shares that outreach to K-12 students is key for students to see options in STEM careers.
She is also a frequent speaker who advocates for Latinos and women at conferences. At L’ATTITUDE in 2023, Martínez joined the stage as a speaker—along with Ana Valdez, president and CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC); Miguel Alemañy, interim CEO of SHPE; and Dr. Kimberly D. Douglas, the chief research and impact officer at SHPE—to speak on how young Latinos are shaping tomorrow’s world.
Presenting SHPE’s 2023 Latinos in Engineering & Tech report at L’ATTITUDE. Left to right: Ana Váldez, CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative; Dr. Kimberly D. Douglas, SHPE’s Chief Research & Impact Officer; Dayna Martinez; and Miguel Alemañy, SHPE’s interim CEO.
In 2023, SHPE and LDC released a report focused on US Latinos in engineering and tech, and Martínez shares that this is something the two organizations plan to release annually.
“It’s been amazing working with them, our missions and goals align so well,” Martínez says.
Whether it’s through her work at SHPE, sharing insights on conference stages, or showcasing representation on social media, Martínez is the advocate for the next generation of Latinas in STEM.
Looking for a professional organization to join?
