Where are you from (or primarily grew up)?
My family is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. My parents moved to Loveland, Ohio shortly before I was born and I grew up there!
What led you to choose Georgia Tech for your studies?
Initially, Georgia Tech was not on my radar during my college search. I had heard it was a strong engineering school, and after encouragement from my family, I decided to apply. I even missed the day that acceptances were released, and when I realized I had been admitted, I began to look more closely into the university.
Quickly, I learned what an incredible opportunity it was, but it wasn't until I visited during a Gold Carpet Day that I felt like Georgia Tech was the right place for me. What stood out to me was the honesty of the students I met.
They spoke truthfully about both the challenges and rewards of the GT experience — no glorified expectations, just the reality of the effort required to succeed, and how they balanced that with enjoying college life. This, along with the diverse cultures, beautiful campus, and welcoming community, made the decision clear for me.
How did you choose the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering major?
In high school, I was naturally drawn to STEM subjects. I enjoyed math and sciences, so it felt natural to move towards an engineering degree. Specifically, I loved chemistry and enjoyed the versatility of chemical engineering across multiple industries, which led me to pursue the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering degree.
What are you doing after graduation?
Yes, I'm excited to start working as an Associate Scientist in Research & Development at Procter & Gamble, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. My role will involve a combination of project management and experimental design, with a focus on driving product innovation for North America.
Did internships/co-ops help prepare you for this experience?
My internships at Procter & Gamble prepared me for my full-time work by providing me with hands-on experience across project management, experimental design, and technical problem-solving projects. I worked on projects involving digital modeling, designed and executed experiments to scale processes from pilot to commercial production, and developed new product formulations. Additionally, I collaborated across teams and with external partners, conducted consumer testing, and evaluated manufacturing strategies, building a strong foundation in both analytical thinking and real-world implementation.
Did you participate in undergraduate research during your studies? If so, in whose lab and what did you work on?
Yes, I participated in undergraduate research for two semesters during my junior year in Professor Ryan Lively's lab. My work focused on direct air capture processes, specifically through tuning the hydrophobicity of amine-based MIL-101 (Cr) sorbents.
You’ve been a Peer Mentor. What did you get out of that experience?
Being a part of the ChBE Peer Mentoring Program was an amazing experience both as a mentee and mentor. As a mentee, I began to learn what it meant to be a chemical engineer and had someone who I could trust to give me guidance on how to make a four-year plan, apply to internships, and overall, how to adjust to college. I became close with the other mentees, some of whom I still talk to today.
As a mentor, I worked hard to foster the same relationship with my mentees. I tried to be there for them as not just a mentor, but a friend and someone who they could trust. This has helped me realize how much I enjoy learning from, but also teaching and supporting others, something that I hope to continue in my career.
What kind of extracurricular activities did you participate in at Tech?
I participated in numerous extracurriculars at Tech, primarily within the CHBE community, Miracle at Georgia Tech Dance Marathon, and Club Soccer. In ChBE, I served on the Student Advisory Board (SAB), worked as an Ambassador, was a GT1000 Team Leader and Peer Mentor. For Miracle, I was the Dancer Relations Director, helping to raise funds for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Lastly, I was a member on the Club Soccer Team all four years and served as both Treasurer and Vice President.
How did your educational experience at Georgia Tech help you to achieve your goals?
My education at Georgia Tech has allowed me to reach my goals in a number of different ways. The professors built a strong technical foundation of general chemical engineering principles,that has given me a baseline for a good technical understanding across multiple industries. However, the most important thing GT has taught me is how to think like an engineer. There are no problems that cannot be solved. My education has taught me to approach problems with curiosity, persistence, and creativity to push beyond what I thought was possible or what I could do.
What advice would you give to new students pursuing Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering?
I have three pieces of advice for new students pursuing Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. First, do not be afraid of change—each semester brings new challenges and opportunities and the key to success is to be open to them and grow from them. Secondly, perfection is overrated. Strive for excellence but prioritize balance and your well-being. Lastly, trust yourself. College is all about decisions, so be confident in the choices you make and move forward without regret.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experiences related to your education?
Live in the moment and enjoy every second—college goes by in the blink of an eye.