Introduction

Varinia Bernales, a trailblazing lead research scientist at UL Research Institutes near Chicago, is not just on a mission to create safer chemicals; she is also fervently working to make the field of science more inclusive and equitable. Growing up in Santiago, Chile, Bernales was inspired by her family's commitment to protect human health, particularly by her aunt Belgica's work with the World Health Organization on asbestosis safety policies.

Education and Early Inspiration

With a Bachelor’s and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Chile, Bernales quickly fell in love with the central science. A pivotal moment in her undergraduate years was reading about ionic liquids—solvents that promise to reduce waste in chemical reactions. Though the paper was challenging to decipher in English, it opened her eyes to the potential of blending computational modeling with green chemistry to develop more sustainable solutions.

Challenges in Chile

However, upon her return to Chile, she found a limited understanding of these innovative practices. "It felt like people thought we were just playing video games," she recalls, highlighting the skepticism towards computational chemistry at the time. Undeterred, she pursued a four-month research stint at the University of Minnesota, where she experienced a collaborative academic culture that transformed her approach to science.

Expanding Horizons at UMN

Bernales continued her journey at UMN, moving beyond her initial focus on ionic liquids to tackle diverse environmental problems, such as developing materials for nuclear waste recovery and engineering metal-organic frameworks. Under the mentorship of quantum chemist Laura Gagliardi, she gained invaluable support and confidence, which empowered her to thrive in a male-dominated field, often grappling with workplace harassment in her early career.

Current Research and Advocacy

Her groundbreaking work at UMN propelled her into leadership roles, and today she uses computational chemistry to innovate safer materials at UL Research Institutes. Bernales is currently working on projects aimed at protecting firefighters from toxic fumes and developing safer battery technologies. Additionally, she collaborates with scientists to create materials that can effectively remove heavy metals from water and filter harmful pollutants from the air.

Commitment to Women in STEM

Outside of her scientific endeavors, Bernales is a passionate advocate for women in STEM fields, striving to provide opportunities for aspiring female scientists. Her commitment to mentorship has led her to volunteer with the FIRST Robotics Competition, encouraging young girls to engage with science and technology. Bernales has also spoken at conferences in Peru and Ecuador, aiming to foster more discussions around quantum chemistry in Spanish to reduce barriers for non-English speakers.

Conclusion

Her dedication to impactful research and mentorship echoes the lessons of her youth. Bernales credits her aunt's encouragement for her journey, especially in pursuing a PhD despite family pressure to take a more conventional career path. Now, as she works on renewable energy projects, Varinia Bernales continues to honor her roots—and her family's legacy—while shaping a cleaner, safer future for all.

A Model of Science as Social Change

Bernales’ trajectory exemplifies how science can be both a tool for innovation and a platform for social change, proving that research and advocacy can go hand in hand in the quest for a better world.