For incoming doctoral student Arantxa Galván, the feeling of starting her new academic life at Rice University is a mix of excitement and nerves, a moment she describes as being "like a dream". Galván, an Education USA Opportunity Grantee, is set to pursue her passion for nanomedicine. Her visit to the Rice campus for the Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Consortium (GCURS) shaped this journey.
The path to Rice began last year when Galván started applying to graduate schools. As an Opportunity Grantee, she received an invitation from Rice and began to learn about the university. However, the pivotal moment in her decision-making was when she attended GCURS. The annual symposium allows undergraduate students to present their research, and for Galván, the experience was transformative.
"It wasn't until I had the opportunity to attend... that I decided to apply to Rice," she said. "I fell in love with the university". The ability to connect with others over her work was a profound experience. "Sharing my undergrad project with many people was such an experience for me".
Galván’s ambition to become a researcher solidified during her undergraduate studies. She holds a bachelor's degree in Nanotechnology Engineering and is the first female engineer in her family. Realizing that she couldn't pursue the subjects she was passionate about in her home country, her dream to study abroad was born.
Her research focus is particular: she wants to simulate how materials interact within the human body and apply this research to nanomedicine. Her ultimate objective is to close the "huge gap between a research paper and a real application". It's a goal she hopes will one day benefit her home. "The goal is to apply this knowledge and to provide... to bridge nanomedicine and real application," Galván stated, adding, "I would like to apply it for my country, for my people".
This drive is rooted in her journey and a powerful motto she carries with her. "I would like these achievements to prove that your origin does not define your future". Galván is from Ecatepec, which she notes is considered one of the most dangerous cities in Mexico, and acknowledges the many challenges of living there. She admits she once wrongly thought her origins might limit her ability to achieve something significant. Now, she hopes her story can serve as an inspiration, particularly for young Mexican girls, showing them that they too can "pursue a career within the STEM field".
Looking ahead at Rice, Galván is thrilled to work with Dr. Karen Lozano, department chair and Trustee Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering. "She offered me a space in her research labs, and I admire her so much," Galván said. "I'm still—I can't believe I'm going to work with her". While it is her first time leaving home, and she is nervous, she is also excited to meet new people from different countries and explore Houston, a city she has already loved after three previous visits.