Biomedical Engineering PhD Student Earns 2023 UA Centennial Award

Gerardo Figueroa isn’t exactly a first-generation college student. His mother earned a degree in Mexico. But the Centennial Achievement Award winner feels as though many of his experiences mirror those of first-generation students, spurring him to serve as a strong proponent for STEM education among Hispanics. He did not plan to earn a graduate degree when he started as an undergraduate at the University of Arizona either, but he saw a need for role models, and he is excited to help fill the gap.

Figueroa was among nine students – two undergraduates and seven graduates – to receive University of Arizona Centennial Achievement Awards in 2023. Established in 1984, the annual awards value diverse experiences and support students who have demonstrated integrity, persistence and a commitment to their communities and families.

“It’s a huge honor. Only a few of us are recognized every year, so it means a lot,” said Figueroa, a third-year BME doctoral student. “It’s recognition both for me and for the organizations that I’ve been part of.”

Passionate about STEM outreach, Figueroa was involved with the university’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers chapter while earning a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering. He remains active in SHPE’s national group, helping parents of first-generation engineering students understand the culture and life changes around their children going to college. He also takes part in outreach through the Orthopaedic Research Society, an international organization that accelerates musculoskeletal discovery to improve health.

After graduating in 2021, Figueroa returned to his hometown of San Luis, Arizona, in Yuma County near the Mexican border, to teach engineering at a summer camp run by the local school district.

“It was really rewarding, not only talking to the students, but also the teachers, about how much difference it could make for someone from the town to come back to teach – someone who graduated from engineering and is continuing their education,” he said, adding, “The kids really look up to that.”