Her Story
About Claudia
Claudia Tinoco is a geologist working in the geosciences field. She earned her geology degree from the University of Houston and participated in an exchange field camp in Svalbard, where she developed her own research project studying coastal erosion from a satellite-based perspective and collected samples to analyze dirt properties. As an undergraduate, she conducted research on sediment resuspension due to ship barge activity in coastal systems and how it influences barrier islands, and she presented her work at the American Geophysical Union conference, winning first place for her poster presentation in the natural science and mathematics department. Tinoco is preparing to start her graduate position at LSU in mid-August, focusing on research quantifying the rate of change of the Mississippi River Delta, especially coastal erosion rates in the outer bird's foot region, using field work, boat work, and sediment samples and cores. She plans to join the American Association for Petroleum Geologists and has volunteered with The Grace Place, an LGBTQ center in Houston. Tinoco attributes her success to being resourceful and advocating for herself by reaching out to professors and TAs, and she values effective, kind, and consistent communication as well as playful curiosity. She advises young women entering the field to be bold and curious, expressing their interests without fear even in male-dominated classrooms.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Claudia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being resourceful and advocating for myself. When I came to the University of Houston I had no idea what I was going to do but I took the extra step to reach out to TAs and professors, being honest that I had no idea what I was doing but knew I liked geology and wanted to do research. I continuously advocated for myself and had amazing people around me who built me up. That ability to find an avenue to get where I want to be is my superpower.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received from Dr. Brandi Carlson was to not accommodate my needs or the research I want to do just for the sake of doing it. Find the team that will fully support you and help you grow. Don't settle for funding anywhere; stay true to the research you want to do as much as you can within your limits.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be as bold and as curious as you can possibly be. Don't be afraid to be loud and express your interests in the classroom even if there are mostly men. Remind yourself that your questions have validity. Your expressing your voice is making the first change towards making it more inclusive. Being bold and staying curious is huge because people will see that and find you and can help you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Opportunities include being outside in the field collecting data mixed with office work to process and communicate it. Challenges as a woman in geology include perceptions that you have to be tough and tomboyish, not shower, and play to men's needs. I admired my professor because she showed you can be feminine-presenting, intelligent, and outdoorsy while taking care of personal needs. The field is changing slowly with more women paving the way.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Communication is most important - communicating what you need without diminishing your feelings or trampling on another's. Effective, kind and consistent communication. Also, letting yourself be playfully curious, exploring topics that interest you without judging yourself too harshly if it's not productive, just to satiate your curiosities.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.