Karina Katalina Moreno Is Living Her Dream
Karina Katalina Moreno, a quality control stability scientist at Illumina, has found her American dream after a journey from Monterrey, Mexico. With a biotech engineering degree and a master's from the University of Edinburgh, Moreno joined Illumina in 2023. She's making an impact as the treasurer of iLatinx, an employee resource group, and through her work in reagent stability.
Moreno is actively involved in Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations at Illumina, promoting cultural exchange and diversity. She's also passionate about mentoring young women through initiatives like Girls Who Lead days. An avid athlete, Moreno participates in various sports and finds Illumina to be a safe and inclusive space where she can express her cultural identity freely.
Karina Katalina Moreno, una scienziata di controllo qualità e stabilità presso Illumina, ha realizzato il suo sogno americano dopo un viaggio da Monterrey, Messico. Con una laurea in ingegneria biotecnologica e un master presso l'Università di Edimburgo, Moreno è entrata a far parte di Illumina nel 2023. Sta facendo la differenza come tesoriera del gruppo di risorse per i dipendenti iLatinx e attraverso il suo lavoro nella stabilità dei reagenti.
Moreno è attivamente coinvolta nelle celebrazioni del Mese del Patrimonio Ispanico presso Illumina, promuovendo lo scambio culturale e la diversità. È anche appassionata di mentoring per giovani donne attraverso iniziative come le giornate Girls Who Lead. Atleta appassionata, Moreno partecipa a vari sport e trova in Illumina uno spazio sicuro e inclusivo dove può esprimere liberamente la sua identità culturale.
Karina Katalina Moreno, científica de control de calidad y estabilidad en Illumina, ha encontrado su sueño americano tras un viaje desde Monterrey, México. Con un título en ingeniería biotecnológica y un máster de la Universidad de Edimburgo, Moreno se unió a Illumina en 2023. Está causando impacto como tesorera del grupo de recursos para empleados iLatinx y a través de su trabajo en la estabilidad de reactivos.
Moreno está activamente involucrada en las celebraciones del Mes de la Herencia Hispana en Illumina, promoviendo el intercambio cultural y la diversidad. También es apasionada por guiar a jóvenes mujeres a través de iniciativas como los días de Girls Who Lead. Como deportista entusiasta, Moreno participa en varios deportes y encuentra en Illumina un espacio seguro e inclusivo donde puede expresar libremente su identidad cultural.
카리나 카탈리나 모레노는 일루미나의 품질 관리 안정성 과학자로, 멕시코 몬테레이에서의 여정을 통해 미국의 꿈을 찾았습니다. 생명공학 공학 학위와 에든버러 대학교 석사 학위를 가진 모레노는 2023년에 일루미나에 합류했습니다. 그녀는 직원 자원 그룹 iLatinx의 재무 담당자로서 영향력을 발휘하고 있으며, 시약 안정성 관련 업무를 통해 기여하고 있습니다.
모레노는 일루미나의 히스패닉 유산의 달 기념 행사에 적극적으로 참여하여 문화 교류와 다양성을 촉진하고 있습니다. 그녀는 또한 Girls Who Lead와 같은 이니셔티브를 통해 젊은 여성들을 멘토링하는 데 열정을 갖고 있습니다. 열렬한 운동가인 모레노는 다양한 스포츠에 참여하며, 일루미나를 통해 문화적 정체성을 자유롭게 표현할 수 있는 안전하고 포용적인 공간이라고 생각합니다.
Karina Katalina Moreno, scientifique responsable du contrôle qualité et de la stabilité chez Illumina, a réalisé son rêve américain après un voyage depuis Monterrey, au Mexique. Titulaire d'un diplôme en ingénierie biotechnologique et d'un master de l'Université d'Édimbourg, Moreno a rejoint Illumina en 2023. Elle a un impact en tant que trésorière du groupe de ressources pour les employés iLatinx et grâce à son travail sur la stabilité des réactifs.
Moreno est activement impliquée dans les célébrations du Mois du Patrimoine Hispanique chez Illumina, promouvant l'échange culturel et la diversité. Elle est également passionnée par le mentorat des jeunes femmes à travers des initiatives comme les journées Girls Who Lead. Grande sportive, Moreno participe à divers sports et trouve qu'Illumina est un espace sûr et inclusif où elle peut exprimer librement son identité culturelle.
Karina Katalina Moreno, eine Wissenschaftlerin für Qualitätskontrolle und Stabilität bei Illumina, hat ihren amerikanischen Traum nach einer Reise aus Monterrey, Mexiko, verwirklicht. Mit einem Abschluss in Biotechnologieengineering und einem Master von der Universität Edinburgh trat Moreno 2023 Illumina bei. Sie hat Einfluss als Schatzmeisterin der Mitarbeiterressourcengruppe iLatinx und durch ihre Arbeit zur Stabilität von Reagenzien.
Moreno engagiert sich aktiv in den Feierlichkeiten zum Hispanic Heritage Month bei Illumina und fördert den kulturellen Austausch und die Diversität. Ihre Leidenschaft gilt auch der Mentoring-Tätigkeit für junge Frauen durch Initiativen wie Girls Who Lead. Als begeisterte Sportlerin nimmt Moreno an verschiedenen Sportarten teil und empfindet Illumina als einen sicheren und inklusiven Ort, an dem sie ihre kulturelle Identität frei ausdrücken kann.
- Moreno's work in reagent stability has led to extended expiration dates, potentially improving product efficiency
- iLatinx ERG is growing with over 100 active members, indicating strong employee engagement and diversity initiatives
- Illumina's support for cultural events and mentorship programs demonstrates commitment to inclusivity and community outreach
- None.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Illumina
The quality control stability scientist embraces family, sports, work, and her leadership role in Illumina's iLatinx employee resource group
Originally published on Illumina News Center
Karina Katalina Moreno has taken a circuitous route to her American dream. She grew up in Monterrey, Mexico, about 140 miles (225 km) south of Laredo, Texas, and got her degree in biotech engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey. Following a brief stop in Barcelona, Spain, she earned her master of science degree at the University of Edinburgh.
Family brought Moreno back to Monterrey. Her mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, and she moved in to help care for her parents and three siblings. She worked as a science teacher at a local high school and helped her mom get to and from treatment.
"After my mom passed away, I thought, okay, this is life, I knew it was coming," she says. "She was diagnosed with stage three lung cancer, and the doctors told us she wouldn't have a lot of time. She was a real fighter, and stayed with us for three more years. But 13 days after my mom died, my dad passed from COVID. At that point I felt lost. My life changed so much in two weeks that I didn't know what I was going to do with my life."
Coming to Illumina
Moreno had worked in pharma and cosmetics but always wanted to pursue a career in biotech. In 2023, a friend encouraged her to apply at Illumina and, after a rigorous interview process, she was hired as a quality control stability scientist. In this role, she focuses on measuring reagent stability, which has already paid big dividends in extended expiration dates.
She's been with Illumina for about a year and a half, but Moreno is already making her mark. She is well known in Building 6, at Illumina's San Diego campus, for her seemingly endless supply of Mexican candy-it's part of her ongoing mission to share her culture.
iLatinx
Moreno is the treasurer of iLatinx, a growing employee resource group (ERG) at Illumina. The group has more than a hundred active members and hosts many events that focus on building community: attending San Diego Padres and Wave games, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, and working with the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Clearity Foundation.
The group has also committed to mentoring young women. For the past two summers, iLatinx has partnered with the Women at Illumina Network ERG to sponsor Girls Who Lead days at the company.
"We have around 60 girls who come to Illumina and go to the lab with us," Moreno says, "but we try to involve them in other activities, as well, because not everyone works in the lab. Some people handle money or are in charge of production. We want to show them all their options."
The iLatinx group has big plans for this year's Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15: a career panel, salsa classes, a mariachi band, and lots of treats. They highlight different countries each year: Last time it was Mexico and Peru; this year will be Colombia and Venezuela, among others.
"People like to learn about the different cultures at Illumina, and we try to find people from those places who can share their flags, food, and local customs," Moreno says. "We want everyone to know they don't have to be Latino to be part of this community. They only need to like the food, music, and culture."
Her safe space
An avid athlete, Moreno has been active in team handball since she was young and now plays on teams in San Diego and Baja California. At Illumina, she participates in flag football, basketball, and softball. When she's not working or playing, she often visits her family in Monterrey. But looking at the life she's built, she is incredibly grateful to have found a home in San Diego and Illumina.
"Everybody is really open [at Illumina], and that makes me feel great," says Moreno. "I have this accent and nobody cares, and I can wear a flower shirt, which is typical in Mexico, or sing in Spanish, and nobody is going to say anything. For me, it's a really safe space."
Karina Katalina Moreno at the Paris Olympics, summer 2024. | Photo courtesy of Moreno.
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