Born in the year 2349 on the Federation colony Kessik, half-human and half-Klingon, B'Elanna Torres acted as the Provisional Lieutenant/Chief Engineer on the USS Voyager, acting under Capt. Kathryn Janeway. Roxann Dawson, biracial (African American/Anglo)* actress and director, portrayed the brave and brilliant Latina Torres, perfecting the role of the quietly self-loathing, perpetually rebellious and passionately loyal character. Torres is the only major character in "Star Trek" to have Hispanic Heritage, which speaks to the present state of Latinos in Science Fiction.

While Sci-fi tends to be more open about casting minorities, due to social commentary/ race analysis that can be made when addressing mutants, androids and aliens, there still aren't very many Latinos appearing in Science Fiction films, and when they're there, they aren't always shown in the best light.

Before Torres joined the USS Voyager, she was a member of a rogue group fighting for disputed territories, known as the Maquis. There, she met future Voyager First Officer Chakotay. Chakotay is Native American, of the Kolopak tribe. The actor who plays Chakotay, Robert Adame Beltran, is first generation Mexican-American, and refers to himself as "Latindio" (a portmanteau of Latino and Indio). In general, the members of the Maquis are Latino; Tony Plana ("Ugly Betty") once guest starred as a member of the Maqui. When the Maquis are concerned: though they were courageous, they were often posed as stereotypical hot-blooded and overtly passionate Latinos.

"Hollywood studios appear to be missing the mark when it comes to representing one of their biggest consumers on the big screen," said Kathleen Miles of Huffington Post. "Latinos go to more movies than any other group, including whites, and yet they play only 4 percent of roles onscreen, according to a new study by the University of Southern California."

When Latinos are cast in Science Fiction and Fantasy roles, they win acclaim for their skill, which, then, begs the question, why not cast more Latinos? Zoe Seldana ("Star Trek"), Michelle Rodriguez ("Avatar and Resident Evil"), Jorge Gacia ("Lost"), Jimmy Smits ("Star Wars"), Enrique Muniz ("Star Trek"), Edward James Olmos ("Battlestar Galactica" and "Caprica"), Raul Julia ("Addams Family"), Dania Ramirez ("Heroes"), Jessica Alba ("Dark Angel," "Sin City," "Fantastic Four" and "Idle Hands"), Diego Rivera ("Elysium"), Gina Torres ("Firefly" and "Serenity") and several other actors and actresses have contributed to films and television, utilizing impeccable expertise.

Latino Sci-Fi directors are even scarcer in Hollywood. The few who are present are often celebrated for creating dynamic films, but, like with Latino Sci-fi actors, they are underrepresented. Robert Rodriguez directed "From Dusk till Dawn", "The Faculty," "The Adventures of Sharkboy" and "Lavagirl in 3-D," "Spy Kids," "Sin City," and "Planet Terror." The other prominent Latino Sci-fi director is Guillermo del Toro, who directed "The Devil's Backbone," "Pan's Labyrinth," "Blade II," "Hellboy," "Mimic' and "Pacific Rim." Beyond that, it's difficult to name any established Latino directors in the film industry.

The lack of Latino present in Science Fiction is done under the assumption that Latinos are not interested in alternative realities or the "consequences of scientific innovations," which is not true. White directors and actors continue claim Sci-fi titles and roles because that genre, like most, are geared toward that audience.

(Note: *Some sources state that Dawson is Latina.)