This is a guest post by Bianca Poma, a 2020 Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Archaeological Research Fellow at the Library of Congress. Bianca is an Anthropology major at the University of Florida and is working with the rare West Mexican House Models that are part of the Jay I. Kislak Collection of the Archaeology and History of the Early Americas.
Since the moment I could carry on a well phrased conversation, I have always been curious by nature and have asked a lot of questions throughout my life. I believe this curiosity has led me to the ultimate career opportunity here at the Library of Congress. Throughout my life, mentorship has played a critical role in defining who I am professionally and personally. I couldn’t feel more blessed for the opportunity to now be mentored by John Hessler himself, curator of the Jay I. Kislak Collection of the Archaeology and History of the Early Americas at the Library of Congress, housing over 3500 historical artifacts that have been researched by prominent scholars around the world.
From a young age, I had the privilege of being in touch with my Peruvian roots, more specifically, my mother deriving from the Huari culture and my father from the Chavin culture. Raised by two examples of integrity and resilience, my greatest inheritance of all was their commitment to making sure I knew where I came from. Sitting and embracing the ruins of Machu Picchu, Ahlambra, Nazca Lines, Inkawasi, Pyramids of Teotihuacan, and the deep and complex cultural traditions of the communities there made me realize how important it is to recognize the potential and capacities humans can have in such diverse domains.
Prior to coming to the Library, I had the privilege to work on an innovative gene therap