In response to the underrepresentation of historically disadvantaged populations with doctoral degrees or in advanced research and academic positions, the Latina Researchers Network is committed to eliminating barriers and advancing opportunities for underrepresented populations in research activities, evaluations, and scholarship. Toward this effort, we provide professional development opportunities that: 1. Explore challenges in successful academic faculty achievement and socio-cultural influences of success among faculty of color and other under-represented scholars, 2. Increase exposure of advanced research careers in the academy to the next generation of investigators and provide examples of excellence in scholarship, 3. Highlight how researchers from under-represented groups are approaching research related to vulnerable populations, and 4. Showcase the work of leading Latina health and behavioral science researchers and other activist scholars and how their research influences social policy.