About Me
Yep, that's baby Liz.
I'm a 90s baby and the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Both of my parents came from Mexico to give my brothers and I a better life. My parents taught me the skills and lessons that have helped me get to where I am today: hard work, resilience, kindness, resourcefulness, and dreaming big.
Sweet Home Chicago
I was born and raised on the southside of Chicago. Growing up in Little Village, La Villita, was sometimes dangerous with constant gang fighting outside our home, but it was also where my family and I met great life long friends. Being surrounded by my Mexican cultura as a kid are some of my fondest childhood memories.
Latina in STEM
Growing up I always had a passion and curiosity for all things science and biology. I attended Aurora University to get my Bachelor's in Health Science and then traveled far away from home to get my PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from North Dakota State University. I'm a comparative physiologist at heart and love talking about my research with bees!
Love(s) of My Life
While I was in North Dakota working on my PhD I met the love of my life........ and my future husband. I rescued a wire-haired terrier/Schnauzer mix and she's been my best friend ever since. I also met this really big bug nerd that was also working on a PhD and he's also been my best friend ever since. Five years and three states later, we became Dr. and Dr. Kopco.
Community & Advocacy
Nowadays, I enjoy using my personal experiences and scientific background to motivate, educate, and encourage others to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilled life. I share my knowledge and experience to help people establish the healthy habits needed to create a lifestyle change, all while creating an uplifting community. Through my own personal journey with my physical and mental health, I've learned the power of storytelling and self-advocacy. I'm always looking for opportunities to speak up for those who need it and teach others how to become their own best advocate!