Who's Who at FIRST HQ? Meet Nancy
April 6, 2021
Remember when we met Alicia from FIRST® Robotics Competition Team 2486, "CocoNuts"? When we spoke with Alicia in 2022, she was working tirelessly alongside her fellow team members to make FIRST® programs available to Indigenous students living on reservations in Arizona. Now, as a FIRST alum, she is using her FIRST-learned skills to give back to her community in an even bigger way.
As a student at the University of New Mexico, Alicia is researching air quality and how it affects the health of children and elderly people living on reservations. Beyond this work, she also helps students with disabilities and first-generation college students transition to college and find their place in a new world.
Keep reading to catch up with Alicia and learn about the impactful work she is doing as a FIRST alum.
FIRST Staff: Can you tell us what it’s like being a current student at the University of New Mexico (UNM)?
Alicia: Currently at UNM I am involved in many roles. I am an undergraduate researcher for UNM Metals Exposure and Toxicity Assessment on Tribal Lands in the Southwest (UNM METALS) Superfund Research Program Center) where I extract and analyze dust particles from air filters collected near the Jackpile uranium mine. I am also a Peer Coach at Student Support Services – TRIO; this is a program where I mentor a wide variety of students, including first generation college students, low-income students, students with disabilities, and more in transitioning into college.
I am also active in many clubs on campus. Right now I am participating in the UNM American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Chapter and I hold the title of Region 3 AISES Student Representative. I am also an active Hermana (sorority sister) in Kappa Chapter of Pi Lambda Chi Latina Sorority Inc.
FIRST Staff: What is your favorite part of studying at UNM?
Alicia: I enjoy everything that I am part of at UNM. My favorite must be my work in UNM METALS as I get to make an impact in the STEAM community by closing the gap on the lack of research in air quality, especially on Native reservations.
FIRST Staff: What is the hardest part of balancing your coursework and extracurriculars?
Alicia: The hardest part must be learning to find good time management skills. Lately I have been using the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes studying, five-minute break, repeat) and making a daily to-do list with my schedule of the day. This helps me have a visual to see what comes next but also know what times can be used for studying. 
FIRST Staff: How do you use STEAM skills in your everyday life?
Alicia: One of my most used STEAM skills must be communication. In my lab, it is very important to communicate clearly and effectively with different people and other labs to assist with samples and to do different analyses of them.
FIRST Staff: Can you share your thoughts on the impact of your personal/professional work in STEAM?
Alicia: The impact of my work in STEAM is closing the gap in lack of research for air quality on Native reservations. Poor air quality is known to cause lung cancer in both children and the elderly. With exposed abandoned uranium mines and waste sites, this can cause increased issues in air quality. During my time at FIRST, I worked to bring STEM skills to these students. Now I am working to give back to them by helping make their air safer.
FIRST Staff: Who is a “Person of STEAM” who inspires you?
Alicia: There are two people who inspire me. The first is Dr. Naomi Lee at Northern Arizona University who teaches chemistry and is researching HIV. She also founded the Cultural Academic and Research Experience (CARE) program that I am an alumna from. She is the reason why I wanted to be a researcher! The second is my mom who is attending Northern Arizona University as a returning student. 
FIRST Staff: If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Alicia: My advice for my younger self is that communication is key, especially with your instructors. To directly quote my younger self, “And most importantly, don't be afraid to tinker!”
FIRST Staff: Do you have a message you want to share for students who are participating in FIRST today?
Alicia: Take it all in, your time in FIRST will fly by. Make sure to make connections, trade t-shirts, and have fun!
Are you a person of STEAM? Share your story with #PeopleofSTEAM on social media or send us your story at marketing@firstinspires.org.