Over 10 graduate students and postdocs give technical research talks at their alma mater
| Event Date: | March 5, 2024 |
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As part of the program, selected students and postdocs are invited to give a technical talk about their Purdue research to undergraduate students at the participants’ alma maters. This experience contributes to the professional development of the selected participants and benefits undergraduate students, who learn more about the research journey and experiences of alumni in their network. To learn more about eligibility requirements and responsibilities if selected, visit this page for more information.
In the Fall 2023 semester, the following graduate students participated:
- Teomie Rivera-Miranda, PhD candidate in entomology (Alma mater: University of Puerto Rico at Bayamon)
- Alex Santiago-Vargas, PhD candidate in electrical and computer engineering (Alma mater: Universidad Ana G. Mendez)
- Angel Enriquez, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow in biomedical engineering (Alma mater: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez)
- Kevin Kaufman-Ortiz, PhD candidate in engineering education (Alma mater: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez)
- Felipe Rivera-Adorno, PhD candidate in chemistry (Alma mater: University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras)
- Julio Rivera De Jesus, PhD candidate in biomedical engineering (Alma mater: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez)
- Ronaldo Franjul, PhD candidate in materials engineering (Alma mater: University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras)
- Brandon Harrison-Smith, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow in mechanical engineering (Alma mater: Cheney University, also invited for research presentation at Morgan State University)
In the Spring 2024 semester, the following graduate students are participating:
- Ricem Diaz Arroyo, PhD candidate in chemical engineering (Alma mater: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez)
- Angel Santiago-Colon, PhD candidate in chemical engineering (Alma mater: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez)
- Tania Class Martinez, PhD candidate in chemical engineering (Alma mater: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez)
To be considered for the next round of HBCU Alma Mater Technical Talk, potential candidates may apply the semester before they would like to travel. Selected students will receive up to $2,000 to fund their travel, lodging, and meals. For Fall 2024 travel, apply by May 3, and for Spring 2025 travel, apply by Dec.16.
Questions can be addressed to the Purdue University Graduate School Office of Graduate Diversity Initiatives (OGDI) or Dr. Odalys Torres-Luquis (otorresl@purdue.edu).
Student Testimonies:
Kevin Kaufman-Ortiz
Why are/were you interested in participating in the Alma Mater Technical Talks program?
The alma mater talk allowed me the opportunity to speak to future engineers about a possible social issue they may face. Engineers often face a social-technical dualism where technical matters are overly emphasized, and social matters are not considered. This talk allowed me to bring engineering education research where it is typically not seen due to the distance the island is to the mainland U.S. I was also in part motivated to create connections with students that will possibly work in industry since this is the population I plan to work with for my dissertation.
What was your favorite part about returning to share your research at your Alma Mater?
My favorite part was seeing the enthusiasm held by several students as I talked about something I was passionate about and that I developed. It gave me a great sense of affirmation to know that others felt for my work, especially other engineers from Puerto Rico.
How does participating in the Alma Mater Technical Talk program help you grow your skillset and with your next career step?
The Alma Mater talk enabled me to talk about theoretical and complicated topics to an audience that had never been exposed to something similar before. I believe I motivated students to learn about social issues concerning engineers, allowing me to have the confidence to continue talking to future engineers about systemic issues that are not normally talked about in engineering.
Alex Santiago Vargas
Why are/were you interested in participating in the Alma Mater Technical Talks program?
Most undergrads in engineering are working towards careers in industry, and graduate school is mostly unknown. When I was a sophomore, a group of grad students visited my Alma Mater to present their research and demystify what graduate school is. This program gave me the opportunity to become the one that sparked an interest in others about grad school while introducing my research area.
What was your favorite part about returning to share your research at your Alma Mater?
The electrical engineering program at my Alma Mater focuses on power systems, renewable energy, and electronics. I was excited to introduce a different research topic beyond the typical interests of the program, Radio Frequency (RF) engineering. My favorite part was showing a live demo of a Software Defined Radio (SDR) which exemplified current cutting-edge technology.
How does participating in the Alma Mater Technical Talk program help you grow your skillset and with your next career step?
Preparing the presentation for my technical talk challenged me to break down a massive and complex topic into something easy to understand and exciting to the audience. Some people may look at RF engineering as some sort of black magic, but breaking down the intuition behind it expanded my skills. The Alma Mater Technical Talks program gave me the opportunity to develop the communication, presentation, and mentoring skills for the career path that I aspire to
Brandon Harrison-Smith
Why are/were you interested in participating in the Alma Mater Technical Talks program?
My eagerness to participate in the Alma Mater Technical Talks program at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, my undergraduate alma mater, was deeply personal and professionally significant. As a proud alumnus with a BA in Chemistry from an institution with a rich legacy of empowering underrepresented minorities, I was driven by a desire to give back and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. This program offered a unique platform to share my journey from Cheyney to Purdue, where I'm exploring innovations in bioengineering and precision care medicine. It was an opportunity to demonstrate the possibilities that lie in the intersection of technology, healthcare, and equity, and to encourage students at an HBCU to pursue ambitious careers in STEM, highlighting the critical role they can play in addressing healthcare disparities and advancing racial equity in diagnostics.
What was your favorite part about returning to share your research at your Alma Mater?
My favorite aspect of returning to Cheyney University was the profound sense of community and shared ambition. Engaging with students who are currently walking paths similar to mine was incredibly rewarding. Discussing the challenges and opportunities in bioengineering, and my specific work on mobile phone-based diagnostics for bilirubin level assessments, felt like passing the torch of inquiry and innovation. It was a reminder of where my academic journey began and how far-reaching its impact can be when fueled by dedication and support from institutions like Cheyney. The chance to inspire, mentor, and potentially shape the future of students at an HBCU, reinforcing the importance of diversity in STEM and healthcare, was undeniably my favorite part.
How does participating in the Alma Mater Technical Talk program help you grow your skillset and with your next career step?
Participating in the Technical Talk program at Cheyney University served as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. It refined my ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in a relatable and inspiring manner, a skill invaluable for my career in academia and research. The experience also deepened my understanding of the unique perspectives and challenges faced by students at HBCUs, enriching my approach to mentorship and advocacy for equity in STEM. This engagement has strengthened my resolve to bridge the gap between advanced healthcare technologies and underserved communities, a cornerstone of my research agenda. Furthermore, the feedback and interactions with both students and faculty have broadened my network and opened up new avenues for collaboration, supporting my aspirations to innovate in the field of precision care medicine and contribute to a more equitable healthcare system.
Ricem Diaz Arroyo
Why are/were you interested in participating in the Alma Mater Technical Talks program?
I am interested in participating in the Alma Mater Technical Talks program because when I was an undergraduate, I felt like most students in Chemical Engineering in my school would only know about jobs in company or would presume that getting a graduate study was to be a professor. I'd like to open there perspectives about other possibilities of careers where graduate studies could be use for development of new technologies as well as give back to my school.
What was your favorite part about returning to share your research at your Alma Mater?
Meeting the new undergraduate students at my school and seeing their smiles when they see how far somebody from my Alma Mater can get to.
How does participating in the Alma Mater Technical Talk program help you grow your skillset and with your next career step?
It will continue to grow my presentation skills as well as my management of organizing this type of activity from the distance.