065: STEMming from Latin Roots, with Dr. Angel Martí.

Meet Dr. Angel Martí, the first Latino to chair the Chemistry Department at Rice University, who aims to make the department accessible to all. Dr. Martí was born and raised in Utuado, Puerto Rico, and grew up in a family of farmers. His childhood was marked by curiosity and homegrown experiments, turning every corner into a laboratory, an early sign of his passion for science. Dr. Martí was initially captivated by Math and participated in the Math Olympics, representing Puerto Rico. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico. When it came time to choose a path, he strategically decided on chemistry, and after stepping in a lab for the first time, he realized that was where he was meant to be. The road to becoming a professor and a school administrator wasn’t without obstacles. Initially rejected from grad school, he persisted and eventually pursued his Ph.D. at the University of Puerto Rico, despite limited resources. Mentors played a crucial role, guiding him toward postdoctoral positions and faculty roles, yet, as a Latin professor, Dr. Martí has faced additional challenges. Undeterred, he excelled, and his exceptional contributions led him to become the Chair of Rice University’s Chemistry Department. Dr. Martí shared about the financial support that Rice University offers to undergraduate and graduate students, and we explored what Rice University can—and must—do to improve Latinx representation. 
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