Nico Silva, LMSW
He/Him
I am queer and I am a #neuroarts advocate, licensed master social worker, health scientist and PhD student in biosciences with a concentration in neuroscience.//
The El Paso, Texas/Juárez, Mexico/Las Cruces, New Mexico border region is a magical place with lovely mountains and sunny weather. I was born loving the arts (especially musical theatre/live performance) and sciences and couldn’t see them separated. STEAMM+ is my passion. “Center for Arts in Health, Medicine, and Society” is a dream. #antidisciplinary is my passion. #collaboration is a necessary tool. I have always wanted a doctorate, but didn’t know what it would be in. After my BS and MSW, I worked as a medical social worker in the hospital/intensive care unit, outpatient mental health, and hospice. That is when I knew I wanted to contribute to the exciting innovation and work of basic, biomedical, and health science. Providing trauma-sensitive and arts-informed care to patients also illuminated and underscored to me how impactful the arts are on health and well-being. (See #neuroarts blueprint) In hospice work, I noticed many families and patients scored that music was the main coping skill that kept them going or helped them during hard times. Similarly, I go to as many live performances and arts events as physically possible because it is so helpful to me. Also, being a former ultra endurance athlete helps with my mindset and perception of the PhD. I am a second semester PhD student at the University of Texas at El Paso working in neuroscience/neurotechnology and can’t wait to see the changes we, our peers, and ancestors have worked for. Through the UTEP Alumni Association, a few friends and I restarted the Pride Alumni Network. I believe it is actions like this and (youth) organizing that will help build personal/professional networks, support, and power for LGBTQ+ communities. Policy is close to my heart and I believe scientists have a responsibility to ensure a healthier and more just world. Sending love and joy to all the scientists and science students of the world.