Giovanna Guerrero-Medina, PhD
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About
Titles
Director of Yale Ciencia Program
Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Wu Tsai Institute; Executive Director, Ciencia Puerto RicoBiography
Dr. Giovanna Guerrero-Medina is Director of the Yale Ciencia Initiative in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of Yale School of Medicine, and Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of Yale’s Wu Tsai Institute. Through these positions, Dr. Guerrero-Medina leads programs that broaden participation and increase inclusion and retention in STEM training pathways and careers. Programs such as Yale PATHS, the Yale Ciencia Academy, and Intersections Science Fellows Symposium empower scientists from historically excluded backgrounds and level the playing field.
Dr. Guerrero-Medina is also the founding Executive Director of Ciencia Puerto Rico. Under her leadership, CienciaPR has become one of the largest networked communities of Hispanic scientists in the world. The organization has been recognized for their work promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the areas of science communication, education, and careers by the Union of Concerned Scientists, the AAAS-Caribbean Division, and the White House.
She is co-author of two National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine reports to promote advancement, diversity and inclusion in the STEMM workforce and her expertise has been sought by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, multiple NIH and NSF peer review panels, and several nonprofit and scientific Advisory Boards. Dr. Guerrero-Medina’s work is funded by grants from the NIH and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, among others.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Dr. Guerrero-Medina has a Bachelors in Science from the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras and a PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a science policy fellowship with the National Academies and science policy work at the NIH and the Van Andel Institute.
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Education & Training
- PhD
- University of California, Berkeley, Molecular and Cell Biology
- BS (Hon)
- University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Biology
Research
Publications
2024
Increasing culturally relevant science media coverage: exploring the outcomes of a collaboration in Puerto Rico
Feliú Mójer M, López A, González-Espada W, Cabezas Bou E, Colón-Echevarría C, Cruz Collazo A, García-Justiniano J, Liquet y González J, Rivera-Bonet C, Rivera-Rodríguez A, Rodríguez Benítez A, Rodríguez-Cruz L, Rodríguez García P, Guerrero-Medina G. Increasing culturally relevant science media coverage: exploring the outcomes of a collaboration in Puerto Rico. Journal Of Science Communication 2024, 23 DOI: 10.22323/2.23050802.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
Seeds of Success: Empowering Latina STEM Girl Ambassadors Through Role Models, Leadership, and STEM-Related Experiences.
Hernández-Matías L, Díaz-Muñoz G, Guerrero-Medina G. Seeds of Success: Empowering Latina STEM Girl Ambassadors Through Role Models, Leadership, and STEM-Related Experiences. The Journal Of STEM Outreach 2023, 6 PMID: 37885462, PMCID: PMC10601408, DOI: 10.15695/jstem/v6i2.03.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRelatable role modelsRole modelsSTEM attitudesSTEM careersSTEM role modelsMiddle school girlsGender stereotypesSTEM opportunitiesSTEM projectScience identitySTEM activitiesSTEM identitySTEM workshopsSchool programsUnderserved backgroundsUnderrepresented backgroundsLeadership skillsSchool girlsMixed-method evaluationStudentsCareerProgramLack of accessOverall scoreGirls
2015
Assessing a Science Graduate School Recruitment Symposium.
González-Espada W, Díaz-Muñoz G, Feliú-Mójer M, Flores-Otero J, Fortis-Santiago Y, Guerrero-Medina G, López-Casillas M, Colón-Ramos DA, Fernández-Repollet E. Assessing a Science Graduate School Recruitment Symposium. Cuaderno De Investigación En La Educación 2015, 30: 55-70. PMID: 26770074, PMCID: PMC4708887.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBMP signaling and microtubule organization regulate synaptic strength
Ball R, Peled E, Guerrero G, Isacoff E. BMP signaling and microtubule organization regulate synaptic strength. Neuroscience 2015, 291: 155-166. PMID: 25681521, PMCID: PMC4369397, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.01.069.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdenosine TriphosphatasesAnimalsAnimals, Genetically ModifiedBone Morphogenetic ProteinsCalciumDNA-Binding ProteinsDrosophilaDrosophila ProteinsFemaleFluorescent DyesImmunohistochemistryMicrotubule-Associated ProteinsMicrotubulesNeuromuscular JunctionPatch-Clamp TechniquesPresynaptic TerminalsReceptors, Cell SurfaceSynaptic TransmissionTranscription FactorsConceptsBone morphogenetic proteinMicrotubule organizationGlutamatergic Drosophila neuromuscular junctionDrosophila neuromuscular junctionLarval neuromuscular junctionDistal boutonsNeuromuscular junctionBMP pathwaySynaptic transmissionMorphogenetic proteinsSynaptic growthMolecular pathwaysSynaptic strengthMicrotubule systemHomeostatic regulationPathwayMicrotubulesSpastin mutationsPostsynaptic partnersMutationsTransmission strengthSelective mannerMuscle fibersProteinRegulation
2014
Impact of Culturally Relevant Contextualized Activities on Elementary and Middle School Students’ Perceptions of Science: An Exploratory Study
González-Espada W, Llerandi-Román P, Fortis-Santiago Y, Guerrero-Medina G, Ortiz-Vega N, Feliú-Mójer M, Colón-Ramos D. Impact of Culturally Relevant Contextualized Activities on Elementary and Middle School Students’ Perceptions of Science: An Exploratory Study. International Journal Of Science Education Part B 2014, 5: 182-202. DOI: 10.1080/21548455.2014.881579.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchContextualized activitiesMiddle school students' perceptionsScience education resourcesSchool students’ perceptionsMiddle school studentsScience literacyStudents' perceptionsActivities studentsPublic schoolsSchool studentsEducation resourcesEvidence of instancesMore interactivityStudentsSchoolsNon-profit groupsCultural relevanceScience LaboratoryExploratory studyLocal culturePerceptionScienceRelevant materialsRelated activitiesBoricua
2013
Supporting Diversity in Science through Social Networking
Guerrero-Medina G, Feliú-Mójer M, González-Espada W, Díaz-Muñoz G, López M, Díaz-Muñoz SL, Fortis-Santiago Y, Flores-Otero J, Craig D, Colón-Ramos DA. Supporting Diversity in Science through Social Networking. PLOS Biology 2013, 11: e1001740. PMID: 24391467, PMCID: PMC3876968, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001740.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSuplementando el currículo de ciencias con contenido contextual y culturalmente relevante: lecciones de la implementación del Proyecto Ciencia Boricua. Cuaderno de Investigación en la Educación.
González-Espada WJ, Fortis-Santiago Y, Guerrero-Medina G, Ortiz-Vega N, Colón-Ramos DA, Feliú-Mójer MI. Suplementando el currículo de ciencias con contenido contextual y culturalmente relevante: lecciones de la implementación del Proyecto Ciencia Boricua. Cuaderno de Investigación en la Educación. 2013 December; 28.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2010
A Comprehensive Linkage Map of the Dog Genome
Wong A, Ruhe A, Dumont B, Robertson K, Guerrero G, Shull S, Ziegle J, Millon L, Broman K, Payseur B, Neff M. A Comprehensive Linkage Map of the Dog Genome. Genetics 2010, 184: 595-605. PMID: 19966068, PMCID: PMC2828735, DOI: 10.1534/genetics.109.106831.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLinkage mapUnique biologyReference sequenceLinkage disequilibriumComplete linkage mapComprehensive linkage mapSex-averaged mapPhase-known meiosesNonmodel organismsDog genomeSelective sweepsGenomewide patternsMultipoint linkage analysisReference genomeEvolutionary adaptationMicrosatellite markersFramework mapRecombination rateLinkage analysisMap assemblyGenotype dataSex-specific differencesGenomeMeiosisHuman disease counterparts
2005
Erratum: Heterogeneity in synaptic transmission along a Drosophila larval motor axon
Guerrero G, Rieff D, Agarwal G, Ball R, Borst A, Goodman C, Isacoff E. Erratum: Heterogeneity in synaptic transmission along a Drosophila larval motor axon. Nature Neuroscience 2005, 8: 1411-1411. DOI: 10.1038/nn1005-1411a.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHeterogeneity in synaptic transmission along a Drosophila larval motor axon
Guerrero G, Reiff D, Agarwal G, Ball R, Borst A, Goodman C, Isacoff E. Heterogeneity in synaptic transmission along a Drosophila larval motor axon. Nature Neuroscience 2005, 8: 1188-1196. PMID: 16116446, PMCID: PMC1402256, DOI: 10.1038/nn1526.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAnimals, Genetically ModifiedAxonsCalcium SignalingDiagnostic ImagingDrosophilaDrosophila ProteinsElectric StimulationEvoked PotentialsGene Expression Regulation, DevelopmentalImmunohistochemistryLarvaLuminescent ProteinsMembrane PotentialsMotor NeuronsMutagenesis, InsertionalNeuromuscular JunctionPatch-Clamp TechniquesSynaptic TransmissionConceptsNeuromuscular junctionGlutamate receptorsSynaptic transmissionAxonal branchesMotor axonsPostsynaptic terminalsIndividual boutonsBoutonsProximal connectionLarval neuromuscular junctionTransmission strengthLarval motor axonsDrosophila melanogaster larval neuromuscular junctionDistal boutonsDistal onesHigh Ca2Ca2InfluxAxonsReceptors
Links & Media
News
- November 15, 2023
Building Bridges: DICE-Driven Exchange Connects Navajo Technical University Students with Yale School of Medicine
- October 17, 2023
Construyendo Comunidad: Inaugural Conference Unites Latine Health Professionals
- September 11, 2023
Scientific Excellence and Diversity to be Celebrated at Upcoming Virtual Symposium for Future Faculty
- April 20, 2022
Participants From Two Pipeline Programs Visit YSM for Conference