California Northstate University
Natali is a former Smithsonian Center for Conservation Genomics I2F Fellow at the National Zoo, where she worked with Dr. Jesús Maldonado and his team on conservation genetics of the endangered southern river otter. Her involvement with the Smithsonian began as a UCSB-Smithsonian Scholar which introduced her to many internship opportunities at the Smithsonian. Natali is currently a graduate student in pharmaceutical science at California Northstate University (CNSU) where she has continued in the field of genetics with a thesis in pharmacogenomics of gene therapies. She has participated in various youth outreach science events including aboard Dr. Robert Ballard’s Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus where she was able to share the live oceanic expedition to students around the world via telepresence. Her involvement in youth STEM outreach has encouraged her to start a Society of Advancement for Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) chapter at her graduate institute to encourage minority students into higher education within the sciences.