Why UC Merced?
In high school, we had a trip to UC Merced during Bobcat day. I remember seeing all the events and activities throughout the day. Interacting with the students at each table. It was a fun and memorable experience. My older brother, Uriel, is also an alumni from UC Merced. He helped me throughout the application process and made me realize UC Merced was the place for me.
Why Your Major?
I always excelled in mathematics growing up, so engineering was always my primary choice. I choose Materials Science because looking at an item from the store and questioning why its made from a certain material/s was interesting. What mechanical properties does the materials have? How is the material process? Why is it made out of this material not that the others? Questioning how and why items are made the way they are has always intrigued me.
Inspiration and Mentors
My greatest inspiration is my older brother Uriel. We were both born in Mexico and moved to the US at a young age. Seeing him being the first person in our family to attend college was my motivation to also pursue a higher education. I remember visiting UC Merced when he first started attending and I remember being really proud of him and his accomplishments.
Memorable Academic Experience
I presented my undergraduate research work in a symposium for CCBM CREST here at UC Merced. I was able to share the my research and demonstrate all of my work that went into it. It was a proud moment for me because being able to show others the work that I've done and the results that came about it is a great achievement. Receiving the CCBM-CREST Undergraduate Research Fellowship is one my best memorable academic experience here at UC Merced.
What's Next?
After graduation, I want to find a job in the field of Materials Science. At the moment, I'm undecided if I want to pursue a Masters or PHD. I want to see how the work life is and maybe come back.
Anything else?
I would like to thank my PI Roberto Andresen Eguiluz and my mentor Metzli Montero for their support and guidance in my undergraduate research. Would also like to thank Valerie Leppert and Chrisotpher Viney for their support.
