EDINBURG, TEXAS - Dr. Karen Lozano led UT-Rio Grande Valley’s efforts to secure a Ph.D. program for the College of Engineering & Computer Sciences (CECS).
The new Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Materials Science and Engineering is the ninth doctoral program to be approved for the university since its inception in 2015, and the seventh to be implemented in the past two years.
It is the first Ph.D. program secured by CECS.
The new program was designed by a team of faculty members from CECS and the College of Sciences and led by Dr. Lozano, professor of Mechanical Engineering and the Julia Beecherl Endowed Professor.
Lozano told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service that the new Ph.D. program was developed to provide opportunities for students to obtain a broad background in theoretical and experimental materials science and engineering.
The program will also highlight the study of nanofibers, an area in which UTRGV has unique worldwide expertise thanks to the leadership and innovation of Lozano.
Lozano said that with the new graduate degree, students can apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems in a wide variety of fields including energy, medicine, structural, biotechnology, information technology, electronics, manufacturing and others.
A main objective of the program, Lozano said, is to diversify the scientific and engineering workforce by preparing students from underrepresented groups, most notably Hispanic students from South Texas, for a variety of careers in scientific and engineering institutions, industry, federal agencies and higher education.
CECS. hosted an Inaugural Ph.D. Launch Celebration for the new program. Here is a video recording of Dr. Lozano’s remarks at the event:
https://youtu.be/YeAYA76MaUI
Lozano recently was elected into the prestigious National Academy of Engineering. In 2019, the White House named Lozano one of 15 recipients nationwide of the Presidential Excellence Awards in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. And earlier this month, the Carnegie Corp. of New York named Lozano to its “Great Immigrant, Great American” list, one of 35 naturalized citizens whose contributions and actions have enriched society and democracy.
Following the launch celebration, Dr. Lozano posted her thoughts on the event on LinkedIn and in the Guardian. Click here to read her commentary.
