An interdisciplinary environmental health scientist by training, Karen Andrade has expertise in community-based participatory research and a robust track record of engaging diverse communities in science. The breadth and depth of her scientific experience is coupled with a firm conviction in the need for cross-disciplinary approaches, and an enduring interest in exploring the role of science in society. Karen is particularly interested in analyzing the power dynamics of scientific knowledge production from her own positioning as a scientist who occupies multiple axes of minoritization. While in graduate school Karen’s interest in exploring new paths to inspire support of, and engagement with, science led her to found and direct the UC Berkeley Science Shop. This student-led organization facilitated research collaborations between students and San Francisco Bay Area communities. Karen completed postdoctoral fellowships at Stanford and the University of California, Davis, where she led biomedical and environmental health research to benefit marginalized and vulnerable communities. Karen earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy & Management from the University of California, Berkeley. Most recently, she was part of the first cohort of Civic Science Fellows where she learned the in’s and out’s of science philanthropy. She is currently an independent consultant working with organizations like the UCLA Center for Diverse Leadership in Science and the Association for Science and Technology Centers, engaging projects that work at the interface of systems thinking, science and equity.

What are you most proud of in your work or life?

My daughters and the work (internal and external) I am doing to break the cycles and legacies of colonialism, systemic poverty and oppression.

What are your passions and hobbies?

My passion is thinking, reading and writing about science as an institution and the work we must to do make it truly just, diverse and equitable. I also love to watch TV shows with my husband, play and talk with my daughters and someday I hope to get back to having time to reading for pleasure.

Do you have a personal motto or other words to live by?

Ni tanto que queme al santo, ni tanto que no lo alumbre.

Favorite snack food?

Jalapeno chips with Valentina and lime.