Carolina has worked in California’s public education systems from the ground up. She tutored students in physics and computer science through the Riverside Community College District, supported STEM access programs, and co-founded an initiative to uplift women and artists in science at Norco College with guidance from mentors and a fellow student. Together they organized and secured funding for the initiative. Her leadership is grounded in service, listening, and building community through shared purpose and mutual respect for different perspectives.

Her scientific research includes plant biology at UC Riverside where she studied cellular stress responses in low oxygen environments, and materials science at NASA Glenn Research Center where she worked on polymer characterization, soft matter imaging, and experimental methods to improve materials discovery in space. She continued her academic path at UCLA in Earth & Environmental Science.

While at NASA Carolina also volunteered at public outreach events including NASA Tech Day, Girls Take Flight, and Career Exploration Day where she served as a panelist for high school students exploring pathways into STEM.

She received a NASA Innovation Award for a science design competition and served as project manager for a NASA VNCAS student team that was recognized for planning a mock lunar mission with the highest science return.

Carolina has studied long-standing civilizations that have been recognized by the United Nations for sustaining ecological balance and food systems in the face of collapse. These communities endure through reciprocity, collective well-being, and respectful relationships with the land and all forms of life. She sees these values alive in California today in how we care for one another, grow food, protect ecosystems, and build belonging across differences. This is not just the future she believes in. It is who Californians have always been.

She is not afraid to name harm. When people are displaced or dispossessed of dignity. When families lose homes to fire with no support. When public schools and mental health care are treated as disposable. When cruelty is called protection but is actually oppression. Such as when Trump ordered military force to Los Angeles. Real leadership does not control. It serves. As Guaman Poma wrote centuries ago, a just leader walks with the people and protects the conditions that allow life to flourish. Carolina is ready to honor that alongside all Californians. Because we are good humans here.