Biography

Zuni Smiling Perez is a Dominican-American originally from the Dominican Republic raised in Providence, Rhode Island. She is a sophomore at URI majoring in Chemistry (B.S) and Chemical Engineering and received her high school diploma from Palisades High School, NC. During high school, she was involved in activities such as; string ensemble, marching and symphonic band, Mu Alpha Theta (Maths Honors Society), and Palisades Dance Company. After getting her degree, Zuni plans to attend graduate school to acquire her PhD with the goal of becoming a tenure-track professor at a university. During freshman year and currently, she works within the Kiesewetter lab developing an independent research project researching an aminolysis reaction with common household oil paints. She is a proud member of the URI Ram Marching Band and a URI 101 mentor. In her freetime, Zuni enjoys dancing, playing instruments, video games, and reading comic books.