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EDINBURG, TEXAS UT-Rio Grande Valley Professor Karen Lozano says one of the highlights of 2023 for her was the launch of the first PhD program for the universitys College of Engineering & Computer Science.

It was historic, said Lozano, professor of mechanical engineering and a Julia Beecherl endowed professor.

Lozano led UTRGVs 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.

Lozano said the new Ph.D. program was designed by a team of faculty members from CECS and the College of Sciences. She said it 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.

Thank you to everyone that made this historic achievement possible, Lozano said, in a posting on social media.

Special acknowledgment to UTRGV President Bailey, Provost Luis H. Zayas, Dr. Arney, Dean Ala Qubbaj, university/college staff Christine S., Lisa Gonzales, supportive community leaders Regent Nolan Perez, M.D., Keith Patridge, and colleagues and students that participated in the development of the proposal, site visit and all other processes.

Lozano said special acknowledgment should also go to the University of Texas System, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and National Science Foundations Germano Iannacchione, Shadi Mamaghani, and Daniel Linzell. These three were present for the launch of the program.

It is certainly an honor to be the inaugural Director of this program that has been strategically designed to continue and further enhance opportunities for our RGV UG students while promoting the best possible experience for our PhD students! We started with 18 students and looking forward to the 2024 cohort, Lozano said.

There is no doubt that when we come together with purpose and determination, we can achieve the extraordinary. Lets keep broadening opportunities to achieve dreams never dreamed.

Lozano is a member of the 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 year, the Carnegie Corporation of New York added Lozano to its Great Immigrant, Great American list, one of 35 naturalized citizens whose contributions and actions have enriched society and democracy.

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Lozano: Launching the first PhD program for UTRGV's College of Engineering & Computer Science was a highlight of ... - Rio Grande Guardian