Why FSU?

Having the Innovation Park with so many lines of research and the MagLab (the most powerful magnet lab in the world) right next to the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering campus is unique at FSU. You get to meet, interact, and collaborate with top scientists! Besides that, I felt welcomed by the FSU community, even before arriving in Tallahassee. For instance, members of The Hispanic Graduate Students Association offered to pick me up from the airport and help me with housing and the whole adaptation process as soon as they found out I was heading there. Because of that welcoming environment and sense of community, I called Tallahassee and FSU "home" very fast.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

I wanted to sharpen and expand my knowledge in my field of interest (Sustainable Energy) to become an agent of change. Graduate school not only trains you to become a researcher but also gives you the necessary tools and connections to do so. Making the world a better place is not an easy task considering all the complex problems humanity is facing right now, especially people from developing countries. However, involving the scientific community in those problems has always been a key factor in finding more permanent solutions. I believe becoming part of that community is the first step on this challenging journey.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

I explore new and novel sustainable energy sources to replace conventional, non-renewable sources of energy (e.g. oil, coal, natural gas). Fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases at every stage of their consumption lifecycle, from extraction to combustion. These emissions drive climate change, increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as hurricanes and wildfires that threaten humans and all other parts of the natural world. My research focuses on thermoelectricity, which is the direct conversion from heat to electricity with no moving parts, low noise, and free of working fluids (therefore avoiding potentially environmentally harmful leakages). My research involves a complete cycle, from the synthesis of novel and promising materials all the way to the engineering application of actual devices.

Career aspirations

My long-term goal is to become a professor and researcher working on material systems that could provide a platform for the next generation of low-temperature thermoelectric materials that can offer very broad and promising applications, from renewable energy sources to deep space exploration.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Professors are also human beings who were graduate students at some point in their lives, so do not be afraid to reach out to them and ask questions. Be curious, and explore different research areas. You do not have to be an expert to pursue a graduate degree in a field you have no experience in, you just need motivation, curiosity, and discipline.

Accomplishments during your graduate career

• Research Assistantship at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab)
• Member of the Provost Selection Committee of FSU
• Member of the Quality Enhancement Committee (QEP) of FSU
• International Student Advocate at the Congress of Graduate Students (COGS)