Extraordinary Mentors Can Raise New Scientists Before revealing my professional life and moving to the next chapter, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to a hidden hero: my mentor and unwavering support during every aspect of my graduate studies, including both my master's and PhD, and job search, @ProfLatinxHlth Navigating the job market after earning a doctoral degree is something school never truly teaches. With hundreds of new Ph.D. holders each year and limited new job openings, the journey can feel overwhelming. What we need at this time as junior scientists is someone who volunteers their time, offers free advice, and provides a comforting presence when we need it most. Despite the physical distance and the time difference between Syracuse and my location, Dr. Garcia has checked in on me daily for the past three months to ensure I never felt alone during this process, in addition to his continuous advice over the last six years. This extraordinary professor and hero demonstrated that great people can indeed raise new faculty members who will support the next generation of scholars. His continued guidance and facilitation throughout over 25 first-round and on-campus interviews, paired with his excellent advice, allowed me to receive several offers. During the job search process, one PI dismissed my aspirations with a discouraging remark: "You chase air," she said, boasting about her NIH $3.4 million grant and the respect she commanded within the university. In stark contrast, Dr. Garcia told me, “That was a missed opportunity. You will achieve amazing things, trust me.” He was right. While the NIH PI remains a symbol of negativity, Dr. Garcia's unwavering belief in me has been my guiding light. His investment in me signifies a shift in the trajectory of my family's life, from refugees and underserved communities to faculty members in excellent and top universities in the US and scientists. I met Dr. Garcia on August 23, 2018, in my first-ever graduate class in the US. We were both new to the University of Nebraska. He saw that I was trying my best, and he invested in me through his continuous advice, funding, and opening closed doors for me. Now, I am proud to say, “Your investment in me has paid off.” I will continue my research and teaching in population health. Thank you, Dr. Garcia. Your support has shown me that hard work pays off. I will continue chasing dreams, not air. I will follow your steps by helping the next generation of scholars. Now I know what it means when you raise a new star in the field. This is just the beginning, and the way to those miles starts with one step. #Academics

Pub 🚨! This is one of two papers by myself and @DrYasmiyn that explores the racial recategorization of Latinos in the 2020 census race question. In this particular article, we examine the reassignment of White Latinos out of White categorical membership.