Venezia Ramirez is a first-generation college graduate and advocate for environmental justice. Her family is originally from Durango, Chihuahua, and Guanajuato, Mexico, and is now living in Gabrielino-Tongva Territory (Southeast Los Angeles County), Venezia is pursuing a Master’s in Sustainable Engineering at USC.
Her research focuses on air quality modeling to assess pollutant concentrations in East Los Angeles and South Bay communities. She is dedicated to empowering community members by helping them acquire resources, like air monitors, to track environmental conditions.
Venezia’s STEM journey began with a desire to improve her community’s health. After successfully organizing against a last-mile delivery facility near her home, she realized her ability to create change using her skills. As the daughter of two cleaning staff workers at USC, she takes great pride in being accepted into the USC M.S. Sustainable Engineering program.
As a woman of color and daughter of Mexican immigrants, Venezia brings patience and devotion to addressing the environmental burdens that affect her community. She advocates for vital resources like air and soil testing, often facing resistance from those outside her community. Venezia’s dual role as a researcher and community member drives her to fight for clean soil, air, and water for her loved ones, knowing the cause is personal.
Her career goal is to continue using engineering and environmental science to support environmental justice and empower communities.
