Rice University Ph.D. student Amanda Galloway will take the stage at Space Center Houston as part of its Hispanic Heritage Month Speaker Series on Saturday, September 20.
Galloway, a first-year bioengineering doctoral student and 2024 Astronaut Scholar, is passionate about developing diagnostic imaging tools that improve early cancer detection, especially in low-resource settings. “What excites me most about this work is the potential to make life-saving technology more accessible, so that people everywhere can benefit from advances in science and engineering,” she said.
Her commitment to impact is deeply personal. As the granddaughter of the first engineer in her family and the daughter of a Mexican-American mother, Galloway views her role in STEM as both an opportunity and a responsibility. “I am inspired by the resilience and contributions of the Hispanic community in science, engineering, and beyond. Representation matters, and I hope to create opportunities for others who want to pursue STEM,” she shared.
Through the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, Galloway has received professional development and speaking opportunities at national platforms like NASA. Speaking at Space Center Houston during Hispanic Heritage Month allows her to honor her heritage, connect with the local Houston community and encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Reflecting on her decision to come to Rice, she noted the university’s unique position at the intersection of engineering and medicine. After working at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Galloway sought a place where she could bridge those fields. “Rice allows me to be an engineer while staying connected to medicine, and the Texas Medical Center is an incredible resource,” she said.
Galloway’s talk at Space Center Houston will highlight her research journey and the importance of representation in STEM.
👉 Event details and registration: Space Center Houston Hispanic Heritage Month Speaker Series – Amanda Galloway
For a list of Hispanic Heritage Month events at Rice, visit here.