Gabriela Noriega manages the Office of Experiential Learning and Career Advancement for the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC). In her role, Dr. Noriega aims to encourage and sustain careers in STEM by providing valuable educational experiences for students through participation in research and by providing early-career scientists of the SCEC community with resources and mentoring across key career transitions. She currently manages SCEC’s UseIT, SURE, and SOURCES internships, and the Transitions Program. As the liaison to Earthquake Country Alliance Southern California, she supports the coordination of public-private partnerships that work together to improve earthquake preparedness, mitigation and resilience.

Dr. Noriega earned her bachelor’s degree in Geology from CSU Los Angeles, and her Master's and Doctorate degrees from the University of California, Irvine with an emphasis in Environmental Analysis and Design where she studied social vulnerability to earthquake hazards. Dr. Noriega has professional experience in the public, private, and academic sectors as an emergency manager for the City of Los Angeles, independent consultant, and executive for the Homeland Security Advisory Council (Los Angeles), a public safety focused non-profit organization.

SCEC Participation

Current Roles

SCEC Executive Committee, Member (2022 - Present)
SCEC Committee for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Member (2020 - Present)
SCEC Staff (2017 - Present)

Past Roles

SCEC Committee for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Managing Coordinator (2020 - 2023)