Spotlight on Karina Cunningham
Intro: What’s your name, what program or department are you in, and how have you participated with CRS (which program)? For how long?
My name is Karina Cunningham, and I am in the Plant and Microbial Biology Department (PMB). I have participated with CRS through Be A Scientist (BAS) and have participated for 3 years.
Inspiration: Who or what inspires you to do science outreach and why?
What really inspires me to do outreach are the words, generational knowledge, and examples of the impact of outreach I witnessed growing up. People in my community, my mother and father, my mentors, and my role models all showed me how critical outreach is for engaging others, uplifting voices, and creating change.
STEM Pathway: How did you wind up in your current role/department/lab/field? Describe one or two of the main mileposts along your journey.
I knew I wanted to pursue plant biology because I grew up around a lot of Black ethnobotany. So, little cultural things like using certain herbs and teas for types of sickness or conditions. Or just always having gardens and growing up around agriculture. I was always super interested in what exactly in the herbs or plants was medicinal, and that drew me to plant secondary metabolite research. I’ve explored these metabolites in algae and plants, and really loved carotenoids specifically!
My love for carotenoid research led me to join Krishna Niyogi’s Lab to study carotenoids in a novel green alga. While I love plant biology, I am also extremely dedicated to art and teaching. So one of my biggest milestones was learning how to do all three things! I always felt like I HAD to choose one or the other, but I’ve definitely found a way to pursue them all!
I have also struggled a lot with my identity as a Black woman in STEM. Growing up, I never had a single Black STEM instructor, even in my undergrad and PhD. There’s always the imposter syndrome and the hurdles of navigating discrimination and ignorance. I’m happy I’ve ended up at such a welcoming and forward-thinking institution like Berkeley. However, I have and will continue to face ignorance. Learning to stand strong, unapologetically, and confidently was one of my biggest challenges to overcome.
Equity: How do you think your outreach activities with CRS support greater STEM education?
I think especially with BAS, my outreach activities can incite possibility for young students. Middle school is around the time when students stop believing they can be anything they want. In elementary school, we grow up telling everyone we want to be firefighters and physicists and ice skaters, but once we get to middle school, the education system tells us we have to choose one thing to be for the rest of our lives because of a grade, a test, or the resources we have available. I really think going into schools and showing students you can be a successful scientist AND an artist AND a teacher, no matter your background or identity, is a priceless and formative experience. Additionally, I think especially as aBlack woman, there are so many forces telling you that science is not for you. Being able to show other young Black girls that you can be anything you want, including a scientist, is critical!
Experience: Describe your favorite part of your science outreach experience.
My favorite part of BAS is getting to know the students. Whether they’re in love with science or not, I think they always have the funniest, most unique things to say!