Antonio Alvarez Valdivia — Mexico
Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D.
Graduation: 2026
My research focuses on designing touchable interfaces for Human-Robot Interaction. These interfaces will provide new, more intuitive ways to interact with robots and machines.
Q
What do you hope to do after graduation?
A
Still deciding between becoming a professor, or working in robotics and human factors research for a tech company.
Q
What was the most valuable advice you received before or during graduate school?
A
Patience and perseverance are key to being a good graduate student.
Q
Why did you choose Purdue Engineering for your graduate studies?
A
I chose Purdue because of its reputation and because I had great conversations with professors during visitation programs.
Q
If you could describe Purdue Engineering Graduate Programs in 3 words, which would you choose?
A
Challenging, Collaborative, Evergrowing
Q
What is the coolest thing you have encountered at Purdue?
A
There is always an event going on around campus where you can get free food.
Q
What do you do for fun at Purdue or nearby?
A
Go to CoRec, skating and biking from Downtown Lafayette to campus.
Q
What's something unique about you, or something most people don't know?
A
If I were to do something instead of engineering, I would do horticulture.
Q
Favorite food and why:
A
Tacos because tacos come in different shapes and sizes; all are different and unique, but all are tasty.
