My name is Dahlia Hurtado and I am a junior at the University of Central Florida. I am majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Nanoscience. I was born and raised in Orlando and graduated from Dr. Phillips High School in 2013. This is where my interest in chemistry was first sparked. Some of my favorite courses at UCF are labs. I love to be hands-on with science, applying what I’ve learned in lectures to actual experiments. Not only is it cool to wear a lab coat and goggles, but what’s cooler is getting to synthesize everyday things like soap and aspirin. One of my favorite professors at UCF is Dr. Miles. He’s a funny man and his passion for organic chemistry is almost contagious. I have always loved to volunteer in my community, and I’m so excited to be able to combine my passion for volunteering and sciences! By being in the STEM ambassador program, I hope to be able to give back to my community in several ways. One of the ways I hope to be able to give back to my community is by encouraging students to pursue STEM majors by sharing my stories and successes with them. I hope to serve not only as a role model, but also as a mentor for any students with questions about studying in the field of STEM. If I could give any words of wisdom to STEM students at UCF, I would advise them not to be afraid of the challenges you will need to overcome as a STEM major. I did not start out as a STEM major, but I soon realized that despite the rumors of intimidating classes, this was the right choice for me. In my free time, I enjoy doing DIY projects, baking desserts, spending afternoons at Walt Disney World, but most of all, traveling. I am currently trying to visit all 50 states with my boyfriend and hopefully see the world one day.