Citlalli Trujillo is a rising senior at University of Illinois at Chicago pursuing a Biochemistry Degree. In addition, she is an undergraduate researcher through a federally funded program called the L@S Ganas Research Fellowship. Through her research, she is working in conjunction with Dr. Rachel Havrelock to find more efficient ways to recycle wastewater pumped through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, which flows through low-income communities and is the biggest contributor to algae blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. Furthermore, the pair seek to educate and change the current narrative on wastewater as an important resource as opposed to just waste. As a result, Chicago can become a leader in innovation that will result in greener jobs, stimulate Chicago’s economy, and envision a new way we can live in an ever-changing watershed. Living in Pilsen has brought her more in touch with major issues that affect lower income communities in the Chicago area. This motivates her to push further in making a community wide impact that will improve the quality of life for all citizens of the city. Some interesting facts about her is that she is the first person in her family to pursue a higher education and is the second oldest out of six children. She hopes to break the cycle that prioritizes labor over academia and that her younger siblings will follow in her steps.
