TAMIU Annual Report 2021

TAMIU GRADUATE ACCEPTED TO VANDERBILT PH.D PROGRAM If any student can take a courageous leap between two seemingly distinct academic paths, it is TAMIU Master of Science in Biology graduate David González (’21) who has creatively fused the Performing Arts and Science. Originally from Laredo, González previously earned a Bachelor’s degree in Acting at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in 2013. A B.S. in Biology followed at TAMIU in 2019. He was one of only six students nationwide accepted into Vanderbilt University’s Ph.D. Program in Biological Science and started his doctoral studies in Nashville, TN this Fall. At Vanderbilt, González was offered a College of Arts and Science Fellowship, which covers his full tuition, along with a 12-month stipend totaling $32,000. He was also selected as a Provost Graduate Fellow, which provides an additional stipend of $5,000 per year for three years. While at TAMIU, González said he delved deeply into research with the mentorship of Dr. Ruby Ynalvez, TAMIU associate professor of Biology. He said he chose TAMIU for his studies because in addition to being close to home, it offered myriads of opportunities. “Many students that graduated from TAMIU that belonged to my graduating high school class have gone on to pursue professional careers and this spoke volumes about the University,” he said, “I wanted to be a part of that legacy and be an inspiration for others in that it is never too late to begin your academic career.” ALUMNA BEGINS SPACE STUDIES GRADUATE PROGRAM TAMIU alumna Victoria Rendón has her sights set on the stars. A 2021 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Rendón was recently accepted into the International Space University’s (ISU) Master of Space Studies Program in Strasbourg, France, and has since begun her courses in person. After facing several unforeseen financial hardships, Rendón initially withdrew from TAMIU and began working in the medical field. It wasn’t until the COVID-19 Pandemic that Rendón decided to continue and complete her studies at the University. After graduation, Rendón determined she wanted to pursue a space-centered career path and applied to attend ISU. “Despite the university having a 16% acceptance rate, I decided to take a chance and put together the best application that I could. I knew their applicant pool would be competitive because they have a preference for applicants holding higher academic degrees and applicants with professional experience in the industry, government agencies, or academic institutions, so, needless to say, I was thrilled to receive an acceptance letter less than 24 hours after my interview, making me one of a handful of Latinas to be admitted,” explained Rendón in a GoFundMe post. Established in 1987, ISU provides graduate-level training for members of the emerging global space community with core curriculum topics like space science, space engineering, space policy and law, and more. Upon completion of the program, Rendón hopes to become an aerospace physician. Victoria Rendón, ’21 ALUMNI 20