The Power of Role Models in STEMM: My Father’s Story

In our fight to increase Hispanic representation in STEMM fields, role models play an essential role in inspiring the next generation of leaders. My father, Luis Mina, embodies the resilience and perseverance that so many young Hispanics need to see today. His story isn’t just about overcoming poverty—it’s about breaking barriers and proving that no dream is too big, even for those born into the most difficult conditions.

From the Chota Valley to Quito: A Dream Takes Root

My father was born in the Chota Valley, a region located among the tallest volcanoes of the Andes mountains in Ecuador. It’s one of the few areas in the country with a large population of Afro-Ecuadorians. The origins of these communities remain unclear—some believe their ancestors escaped from slave ships that capsized on the coast, while others suggest they were brought as slaves to work in salt mines and cotton plantations.

Even after the abolition of slavery, the living conditions in the valley did not improve. Without land or employment, many families were trapped in a system called "huasipungo", where workers received small plots of land instead of wages. This system persisted into the 1960s, and even today, most Chote?os have limited access to higher education. For generations, families like mine were caught in cycles of poverty, and it was in this environment that my father’s journey began.

I believe the name 'Mina' (Spanish for 'mine') which is very common in the Chota Valley, was forced upon my family during slavery, a common practice for slaves working in the salt mines whose African names were considered too difficult to pronounce. The second oldest child in that family is my father, Luis Mina.

Walking Miles for a Dream

Against all odds, my father rose to the top of his class. He was an elite athlete, and he graduated summa cum laude from Ecuador’s only medical school—something almost unthinkable given where he came from.

But his success was not without sacrifice. When he moved to Quito, the capital, to pursue his medical education, he faced unimaginable difficulties. He often couldn’t afford food, rent, or transportation. A distant relative let him sleep on the cold floor of his small kitchen, where he studied every night by candlelight. To get by, he volunteered to cover night shifts at the hospital, to be able to eat from the hospital kitchen.

Every day, he walked miles to school, watching his classmates drive by in their nice cars. He was often hungry and tired, but he kept going, driven by the belief that he could change his life and the lives of others. He knew that each step brought him closer to breaking the cycle of poverty.

My Father, My Hero: The Power of a Role Model

These experiences made my father a hero, at least in my mind. Whenever I face obstacles, I think of my father. Would I have been able to endure those cold nights and long walks to chase my dream? Would I even have dreamed of becoming a doctor if I hadn’t seen him accomplish the impossible?

When I faced my own challenges on the path to becoming a doctor, I remembered my father. Every step I took, every obstacle I faced, I knew that he had endured far worse. His story became my fuel, reminding me that nothing worth achieving comes without sacrifice.

That is the definition of a role model. Role models represent examples that we can emulate. We are encouraged by their perseverance. We are motivated by their strength. The more hardship they overcome, the more we feel capable of overcoming our own obstacles, however challenging. This is why as children we love superheroes in film. Role models make us think: "If he/she could do it, so can I”.

Why Role Models Matter for Representation

My father’s journey is remarkable, but it shouldn’t be exceptional. Yet, for too many young Hispanics, role models like my father are rare.

Without someone who looks like them or shares their background, how can they believe that their dreams of becoming a doctor are within reach?

According to a Pew Research Center survey, when asked, “In your opinion, who is the most important Hispanic/Latino leader in the country today?” most Hispanics (62%) say that they don’t know, and 9% say “no one.” Yet, most of them say that "it is imperative for the community to have one." This is one of the reasons why we need more Hispanic scientists and doctors. So that more young individuals are exposed to them and feel encouraged to follow their steps.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Latino Scientists: Lessons Learned from Current Role Models

Most books about role models focus on distant figures of heroism, but we need stories we can relate to—stories of immigrants and first-generation students who worked hard to succeed in fields where they were often underestimated. People like ourselves who have succeeded in an environment where they were not expected to. Whether we were lucky enough to have a role model in our lives or not, these are stories we can all learn from.

In my book Un Doctor Por Favor, I share stories of several remarkable Hispanic physicians who not only overcame obstacles but dedicated their lives to serving communities in need. They are living proof that anyone, with grit and perseverance, can make it. In my second book, Hispanic Role Models in Science, I highlight the journeys of Latino scientists—from biologists to biophysicists—who defied the odds to contribute to their fields.

To the students who have never met someone who can be their role model, I hope the stories in these books serve that purpose. I hope students see themselves in at least one of these physicians and scientists and realize that the obstacles they face today can be the very things that make them stronger tomorrow.

Becoming the Role Models Our Community Needs

My father's journey wasn’t just his—it became mine, and now, it can become yours. His legacy of perseverance drives me to inspire others, just as he inspired me.

I dream of a future where every young Hispanic sees a role model in their community—starting with us.

Let’s build a community of support where we lift each other. Whether you identify as Latino, Hispanic, Black, White, Indigenous, or anything in between, we must come together.

Will you be the role model they need?

Will you show someone that their dreams are within reach?

A similar version of this text was published in the author's book Hispanic Role Models in Science: Advice for Future Scientists and excerpted with permission.

My father passed away from complications due to prostate cancer two weeks after I published this version of his story on LinkedIn. May he rest in peace.