El Puente Undergraduate Research Fellows

Alanah was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. As a first-generation college student, the need to set a positive example for her family and for other women wanting to pursue a career in a STEM field is a top priority. After completing two research internships this summer, she was able to reshape her career motivations. She recognizes the importance of attending graduate school with the hopes of getting a master’s degree. Her main interest is optimizing robotics to enhance human lifestyles, specifically for those who are amputees. When she is home and has free time, Alanah enjoys listening to music and performing in bands with her friends.

Andrea is a second year, first-generation undocumented student. She was born in a town named Gomez in Chihuahua, Mexico but she was raised in the South Valley of Albuquerque. She has an older half-brother but grew up as an only child. She is a girl who works with PETA to defend animal rights. She is also very passionate about human rights and fighting for what is right, even if it means others don't agree. She is very kind, outgoing, and humble, even though she can be shy at first, it's only because she's assessing her surroundings before she gets too comfortable. She loves helping others in need and putting others before herself. She also enjoys spending time with her parents, especially her mom since she's her best friend. She loves working with kids and works at a preschool. In the future she wants to be able to be the teacher that every student needs and provide a safe environment for them.

Andrés was born and raised in the small town of Mancos, Colorado. Growing up Andrés was always a Lobo’s fan as his mother and two aunts have attended the University of New Mexico. Due to his environment and his love for Legos, Andrés was fascinated with the world of engineering. As a third-year college student Andrés is involved in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and works part-time as a calculus 2 tutor. Andrés plans to pursue a graduate degree in mechanical engineering and business. Outside of school Andrés enjoys the mountains and likes to snowboard, fish, and ride four wheelers. Andrés wishes to have a positive impact on his community with his endeavors.

Angel was born in El Paso, Texas and raised in both Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua and Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is the youngest out of three siblings and the second person in a family of five to attend college. With motivation from his older brother, Angel is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Outside of school, his hobbies include sports, video games, music, and going out to explore nature. He always carries a screwdriver in his backpack and in the future wants to own a wiener dog but not a hairy one more of a silky one. His biggest goal is to contribute to a cleaner and more environmentally conscious world through his aspirations of working with sustainable energy systems.

Born and raised from a mixed status family, Bailey Rutherford fell in love with learning from a young age. Artesia, New Mexico, taught him the value of pursuing his dreams, even when others frowned upon his desires. While many said that becoming a teacher would be a waste of time, he understood the impact that education could have on one’s life because teachers saved his life. Now as a second-year UNM student, Bailey has taken on several roles to ensure that students never go unheard. As a Golden Apple Scholar, ASUNM Senator, and Mountain View Middle School Student Council Advisor, Bailey continues to serve students from various backgrounds and hopes to provide the space for students to be their authentic selves. Bailey is delighted to be a part of a fellowship that supports students because he wants to do the same with his dream of creating life-long learners.

David Soria was born in Las Cruces, NM, but was raised near the border in Santa Teresa, NM. He is currently a third-year student at the University of New Mexico, where he is expanding his understanding of computer systems and programming. David's professional ambitions are aligned with his academics, as he dedicates plenty of time to school, while also balancing his time between work and other interests. Aside from his studies, he enjoys staying fit and active, as well as spending time with his family and loved ones. He also enjoys being outside in nature and taking part in outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking. David is grateful to his family, friends, and sponsors for providing him with the resources he needs to succeed in school. One of these sponsors, El Puente Research Fellowship, is a significant opportunity for him because it will provide him with the assistance and skills necessary to pursue research in his field for the future.

Diego was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is currently a sophomore at UNM pursuing a career in dentistry. Growing up with family across Mexico and rural New Mexico, he has witnessed the challenges minorities face in accessing quality healthcare. These experiences have instilled in him a profound appreciation for diversity and resilience. Diego’s aspiration to be a healthcare professional is driven by a desire to bridge healthcare gaps and improve dental care accessibility for underserved communities. Through his future work, he aims to contribute to a healthier and more empowered future generation.

Elviria Encinias is a native New Mexican; born in Raton and raised in Chama and Peñasco. She is a country girl, and she loves the outdoors. Camping, hunting, and fishing are her favorite pastimes. She recently moved to Albuquerque and finished her last 2 years of high school at Volcano Vista. Elviria and her family moved to Albuquerque to support and provide care for her grandparents. Her interest in the field of nursing stems from knowing the importance of helping individuals who cannot help themselves. In the future, her long-range goals are to network with others in efforts to help the homeless population by providing resources to help meet basic needs of hygiene, food, clean water, and advisors to help provide some stability. Now, she stays motivated by seeking programs that push her to strive for success and is excited to be a part of El Puente Research Fellowship.

Enrique was born in Santa Fe New Mexico. However, his roots hail from Chihuahua, Mexico. He was raised by two very hard-working parents and a sister who showed him the value and satisfaction of hard work. In his free time, he enjoys coding and making things like cellular automata and hopes to one day finish his “Game of Life” project. In addition to coding, he enjoys reading various kinds of books. Most recently he has enjoyed reading biographies of people who lived before our modern era. He likes to understand the modes of thought that people had in different eras and how they compare to our modern age. Furthermore, he likes to help his community by engaging youth in thinking about the society they live in and want to live in in the future. He believes through an involved and educated body that our society will thrive and advance into a brighter future.

Etienne was born in Havana, Cuba. Both, his parents and him immigrated, from Cuba to Albuquerque in 2020 looking for a better life and opportunities. In his free time, he likes to play guitar, do origami, and listen to music. He likes taking fun classes such as swimming and jujutsu to balance his semester out and maintain his mental health. Etienne is a current Sophomore in the Combined BA/MD Program. He has an increasing interest in pursuing a MD/PhD, but he is not quite sure yet. However, he deeply loves biochemical research and bench work. He thinks that a deeper understanding off research will make him a better doctor, impact his diagnosis process, and improve his science communication to patients to help them understands the most novel treatments. Creating his own project as part of El Puente Fellowship will put him on track to do his Undergraduate Thesis to graduate with honors in Biochemistry.

Gabriella Gonzáles is a daughter of Northern New Mexico boasting a rich cultural heritage spanning the Santa Fe, Tierra Amarilla, and Farmington areas. Her interest in the American political and public policy processes began at the age of fourteen when she started organizing for various state and national organizations, including her first presidential campaign in 2020. It was through this experience that she realized her unrelenting passion for serving the people of her home state through meaningful and enduring public policy outcomes. This passion has led her to the halls of Congress as an intern in the Office of Representative Melanie Stansbury, the Democratic Party of New Mexico as the organization’s youngest-ever Regional Field Director for the Third Congressional District, and the New Mexico House Democratic Campaign Committee where she currently works as a Finance Assistant. Gabriella hopes to continue to serve the people of the state she’s relentlessly proud to call home in both her research and pursuit of a more equitable and just New Mexico.

Gabriella was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Her parents and sister are from Mexico and immigrated to the United States to seek medical treatment. Throughout her childhood, she had many experiences in and out of doctors' offices, which taught her to love and cherish community and medicine. As a first-generation student, Gabriella hopes to become a bilingual physician in rural New Mexico to give back to the community she cherishes so much. She currently works as a STEMinist Coordinator at the UNM Women’s Resource Center, co-creating a space of empowerment and support for underrepresented students in their academic efforts. She is also a student researcher for the SOM Department of Neurosciences. Additionally, Gabriella enjoys creating art and always finds ways to incorporate it into her studies through creative projects.

Hector Triana Ruiz's story is a powerful testament to the immigrant experience and the pursuit of the American Dream. As a first-generation student who's proud of his Mexican heritage, Hector carries forward the dreams of his parents who came to the United States seeking better opportunities and the American dream. His dedication to his education and career in engineering not only honors his parents sacrifices but also serves as a beacon of representation for the Hispanic/Mexican community in a field where diversity is important. Hector's journey reflects a blend of Mexican heritage and commitment to excellence, while embodying the spirit of perseverance and aspiration that defines the immigrant experience in the United States.

Isabella was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. Her strong work ethic and determination to make a difference in the world have led her to pursue an education in science. When Isabella is not in school, she works at the Museum of Southwestern Biology as a Lab Aide. She also volunteers at the Albuquerque BioPark Aquarium providing hands-on education to viewers at the Mangrove Touch Pool exhibit. She has a passion for the arts including photography and dancing Flamenco. She loves to travel with dreams of someday joining a conservation team in Central America, focusing on research and rehabilitation of marine organisms. Through the opportunities presented by El Puente Fellowship, Isabella hopes to embrace her Nicaraguan and Chicana background along with encouraging other Latina women that they can transform their communities by pursuing their interests in science and art.

Ismael is a sophomore and first-generation student at the University of New Mexico. His family immigrated from Jalisco and Zacatecas, Mexico. He was raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During his spare time, Ismael enjoys working out, listening to music, and watching movies and shows. Ismael believes that everyone is perfect the way they are. He strives to create a safe place for everyone, regardless of their race, sexual orientation, mental health, socioeconomic status, and more. Having fought and won battles with several eating and mental disorders, he developed a personal passion for these issues. He realized how important nutrition is for the mind, body, and personal relationships. Ismael aims to pursue a career as a dietitian to help others improve their lives. Ismael is excited to be part of El Puente to further expand his knowledge relating to nutrition, push himself out of his comfort zone, and create new relationships!

Jazmín is a first-generation college student at the University of New Mexico passionate about exploring the intersection of biology, culture, and community health. With deep roots in Aguascalientes, Mexico, Jazmín is dedicated to understanding the genetic factors contributing to health disparities in Latino communities. Witnessing her parents' resilience as immigrants and the impact of cancer on her family ignited a passion for both science and language. Her goal is to leverage research to create a healthier future for future generations. Through her studies, Jazmín hopes to empower marginalized communities and advocate for equitable healthcare access.

Manuel Gomez was raised in the small town of Dulce, New Mexico, as the middle child of seven children. He is currently in his third year of undergraduate studies at the University of New Mexico. Growing up on a ranch, he learned the value of hard work and helping others. His dedication to his studies stems from a cherished memory of his grandpa, who once told him, "Tocayo, remember God gave you a brain for a reason. Use it and do what makes you happy." This advice has stayed with Manuel throughout his academic journey. Manuel's passion for archaeology was sparked by his mother, who introduced him to Indiana Jones. His main goal is to become the first in his family to obtain a master's and PhD, achieving the highest level of education in his family. Manuel enjoys the outdoors when he is not devoting his time to his education, such as hiking, fishing, camping, and other various outdoor activities.

Maria was born in Brazil and moved to the United States for a high school exchange during her senior year, in Albuquerque. Since high school, she has been actively involved in scientific research and continues this work in college, where she is currently employed at the Bureau of Business and Economic Research. Maria is committed to addressing educational disparities and inequality in marginalized Brazilian communities as her hometown is situated near both the wealthiest city in Brazil and the largest favela in Latin America. Maria’s goal is to pursue a PhD in political economy and become a professor, she hopes that the research opportunities with El Puente will help her achieve this goal and make a meaningful impact on her community.

Mariel León Lazcano is 19 years old, born in Chihuahua, Mexico but raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico her entire life. Mariel comes from a Mexican household, with hard working parents who immigrated to New Mexico to give her and her siblings a better life and opportunities. Mariel is currently a Sophomore and plans to attend graduate school to receive a master's degree. Her goal is to give back to the community she grew up in by becoming a high school bilingual social studies teacher and to make her parents proud. Currently, she is participating in the Educators Rising club as its secretary and communication officer, and El Puente Research Fellowship where she hopes to learn more skills that will help expand her knowledge and apply it towards her community and future.

Miguel Jose Serna was born and raised in Texas and resides in San Antonio. In addition to pursuing a bachelor's degree, Miguel also hopes to attend law school after concluding his undergraduate studies. Miguel is very passionate about giving back to his community in any way possible. Because of that passion, he would like to make a positive impact in his community. One way he is doing this is by researching how policy can affect marginalized communities and continuing to help his community after law school.

Miriam Reichsfeld was born in Mexico City and moved to Albuquerque at the age of ten, an experience that deepened her appreciation for diverse cultures and languages. She is passionate about writing, art, and self-expression, constantly seeking ways to engage with these interests through internships, creative projects, and extracurricular activities. At the University of New Mexico, Miriam plays an active role in the Resident Hall Association, where she is dedicated to fostering a campus environment that is inclusive and welcoming for students of all backgrounds. She believes in the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels valued and inspired to express themselves freely. Miriam’s commitment to inclusivity and social justice drives her desire to attend law school, where she aims to advocate for underrepresented communities and inspire positive change. Through her work, she hopes to make a lasting impact both within her community and beyond.

Omar was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His family comes from a small town named Abraham González in Chihuahua, Mexico and as a first-generation student the value of education was instilled in him from a young age. Throughout his journey in higher education, he faced many obstacles but is dedicated to continuing learning about new technologies in the ever-growing field of computer science and earning his bachelor’s degree. His plans for the future are to find a career in cyber security as a penetration tester or continue the path of research to learn about quantum computing. Outside of school Omar is passionate about the outdoors and being active, everything from camping, hiking, and swimming, to playing any type of sport. A couple of his pastimes include watching movies and listening to music. Being involved in groups or communities with likeminded people has always been a fulfilling experience and that is why Omar believes El Puente will be the perfect environment to learn from one another and grow as cohort.

Richard was born in Gallup, NM, and currently resides in Los Lunas, NM. In his early life, much of his time was spent on the Navajo Reservation where he would help his family. He is currently in his second year at UNM and hopes to go on to graduate school and pursue a PhD in a field related to the biomedical sciences. Richard is currently working in a lab at UNMs North Campus and participating in several programs across UNM. Once Richard completes his education, he hopes to become a principal investigator where he can teach the next generation of students and encourage students to pursue higher education and a career in the health sciences.

Teresa Parraz was born in Albuquerque and raised in Taos, New Mexico. As a Junior at the University of New Mexico, Teresa is passionate about higher education and has served as an Orientation Leader for two years, a Peer Mentor tutor, and the Assistant Director of Governmental Affairs for ASUNM. She also started two new organizations on campus. Growing up in a challenging environment of domestic violence, Teresa drew strength from her studies and the guidance of her Tia Casandra, who encouraged her to pursue happiness and follow her dreams. Teresa’s goal is to be the first in her family to earn a Ph.D. and to inspire her younger relatives. Passionate about helping students, Teresa envisions a career in higher education or as a Communications Director in a rural area, connecting people with essential resources. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, making coffee, attending concerts, and spending time with friends with inspire her to better and grow every day.