Coming Home: The Journey of a Puerto Rican Scientist

Film Summary

The short-film traces the inspiring journey of Dr. Mónica Feliú-Mójer (who directed and produced the film) from her childhood in rural Puerto Rico to becoming a scientist and science communicator. As a child, Mónica was fascinated by nature and learned from Don Franco, an elder in her community who had an intimate understanding of the natural world, despite not finishing elementary school. Reflecting on him, she says, “I didn’t know it then, but Don Franco was the first scientist I ever met.”

Though Mónica loved science, she never thought she could be a scientist until her college biology professor encouraged her to try research. After just one month in the lab, she says, “I was hooked.” She went on to conduct research at MIT and Harvard but struggled to adjust to life in Boston, including the weather, city life, and language. “I suddenly had to translate everything I said or wrote into English,” she recalls, adding that she felt as though she also had to translate who she was.

Dr. Feliú-Mójer’s career took a transformative turn when she met Daniel Colón Ramos, a fellow Puerto Rican who had started an online community dedicated to connecting people interested in science and Puerto Rico. “Looking back, the serendipity of meeting Daniel changed my life forever,” Mónica reflects. She eagerly volunteered and began writing about science for a Puerto Rican newspaper, discovering a new passion: “I learned that I love communicating science.”

As Mónica continued her work in science communication, she realized that her calling was not just in the lab but in creating spaces for others to engage with science—particularly those from historically excluded communities. Today, she focuses on reimagining how science can serve communities, working with Puerto Rican leaders to “change attitudes around vaccination, develop strategies for responding to misinformation, and build new foundations for mutual understanding.”

Her return to Puerto Rico feels like her journey has come “full circle.” Mónica no longer feels the need to translate her identity for others: “I no longer translate myself because I never should have.” She embraces her identity fully, saying, “I speak loud and with my hands. I hug and kiss people to say hello. Even strangers. Instead of suppressing my identities, I lead with them.”

At the 2022 SACNAS Conference, Mónica delivered a heartfelt speech, saying, “I am a scientist gracias a mi barrio, a mi gente. Thanks to my community and my people; their lessons guide me. They ground me. They are home.”

In summary, the short film beautifully captures the essence of Dr. Feliú-Mójer’s personal and professional journey in science, blending thought-provoking visuals with important moments of self-reflection. Fanuel Muindi notes that “the pacing of the film is just right, allowing viewers to hear about Mónica’s journey directly through her voice.” He adds, “In the end, the film tells a story about belonging, resilience, and the transformative power of civic science engagement. The story is for anyone who’s curious about the possibilities of integrating science with community engagement.”