When Katya Echazarreta moved from Mexico to the United States at the age of seven, she couldn’t speak a word of English. Three years later she was as fluent as a native. Eight years after that she was beginning her Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering at UCLA, and to date, she has worked on five NASA missions (including the Mars rover) and is currently pursuing a master’s! The influence of Katya’s mother (who always encouraged her to pursue her dreams), the support from her teachers, and her strong will and passion for learning, have allowed Katya to overcome the challenges that she has faced as a woman in STEM. She has made it her goal to instill confidence in other women in STEM, and ensure that they do not feel isolated, which is a key factor that causes many to leave their chosen fields. Tune in today to hear Katya’s inspiring story!

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