Cammi Valdez is a vascular biologist, faculty member, and champion of making STEM accessible. As a Latina woman scientist, she is a strong advocate for empowering and advancing women, first generation, LGBTQ, and people of color in STEM. In 2020, Cammi began as an assistant professor of chemistry at Northeastern State University, and in 2024 she became its Assistant Dean for Research at the Gregg Wadley College of Science and Health Professions. In her research lab, Cammi has mentored 29 undergraduates in their independent research projects and promotes STEM identity through her lab culture. Previously, she served as the President of the National McNair Association of Professionals, Director of the McNair Scholars Program at Wellesley College, Assistant Director of Research and Fellowships at Harvard College, and Program Manager for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Summer Research Program. In these roles, Cammi mentored over 225 diverse undergraduates interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in STEM. Through her creativity and experience, she has built unique research programs that support undergraduates holistically to meet their needs and help them navigate academia. Cammi earned a B.S. Professional in chemistry and a B.S. in mathematics from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where she was an OK-LSAMP Scholar, and earned her Ph.D. in biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology from Harvard University. She has been recognized with the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Commencement Marshal, Tony Quinn Inclusive Excellence in Mentoring Award, Genentech Career Development Award for Underrepresented Minority Emerging Vision Scientists, and Alliance for Eye and Vision Research Emerging Vision Scientists Award.