Ximena Cid, PhD, is the first Latina and Indigenous student to earn a PhD in physics from UT Arlington. After earning her PhD, she joined the faculty at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she is is currently associate professor and past chair of the physics department. Cid’s research focuses on physics education, particularly how students from underrepresented backgrounds experience learning in the field. She is a national leader in broadening participation in physics, serving in organizations such as the National Society of Hispanic Physicists. In 2018, she was awarded the Homer L. Dodge Citation for Service from the American Association of Physics Teachers in recognition of her dedication to providing opportunities for all students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. As a role model for students who rarely see themselves reflected in the sciences, Cid is transforming physics into a more inclusive and accessible discipline.
