Text Box: The University of Puerto Rico is the flagship institution of higher education in the island; the major producer of Hispanic STEM baccalaureate degrees in the U.S., and the main source of Hispanic PhD’s in science and Engineering.  The College of Natural Sciences at UPR Rio Piedras offers Bachelor’s degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences, General Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics; Master’s degrees in Biology, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry and PhD degrees in Biology, Chemical Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Mathematics.   On the other hand, the UPR School of Engineering is the main and largest school of engineering in Puerto Rico, and ranks 13th in undergraduate enrollment among universities in the U.S.; 18th in the number of undergraduate degrees awarded, and 3rd in the number of degrees awarded to women.  Thirty five percent of the Engineering majors are women.

Text Box:  “In August 2008, the twelve Fellows from Cohort VI joined the community of 58 graduate students that have received a BD fellowship. A survey conducted in 2007 showed that 56 of the 58 Fellows from the first five cohorts are in the PhD pipeline, with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and 62 papers published in peer review journals.  As a group they have attended over 400 local, national and international conferences, broadening their academic preparation and establishing a network for potential career opportunities.”                                                                                                                                         Dr. Manuel Gomez, PI Text Box: Cielo Figuerola Undergraduate Institution:  UPR-Mayaguez BS Degree in Biology (2008) Graduate Major:  Zoology and Ecology Career Goal:   Obtain a Ph.D. while engaging in productive research projects, specifically the conservation of endangered species in Mona Island.  Text Box: Edgard Almodovar Undergraduate Institution:  UPR-Rio Piedras BS Degree in  Mathematics (2008) Graduate Major:  Applied Mathematics Career Goal:   Become a statistician with a focus on Biology and able to explain natural phenomena through use of mathematical and statistical models. Text Box: Sonia Aviles Undergraduate Institution:  UPR-Mayaguez BS Degree in Chemical Engineering (2008) Graduate Major:  Chemical Engineering Career Goal:   Complete my Ph.D. with specialization in Rheology of Nanocomposites and continue post graduate studies in the area of Transport Phenomena. Text Box: Rita Caceres Undergraduate Institution:  UPR-Rio Piedras BS Degree in Biology (2008) Graduate Major:  Ecology Career Goal:  Obtain my Ph.D. and become a faculty member at a higher education institution, as well as getting involved in outreach programs for high school students.   Text Box: Jennifer Carpena Undergraduate Institution:  UPR-Rio Piedras BS Degree in Physics (2008) Graduate Major:  Chemical Physics Career Goal:  Obtain my Ph.D.  and become a  professor/researcher in material science and contribute solutions to energy production and efficiency.  Would like to be an astronaut. Text Box: Yamixa Delgado Undergraduate Institution:  UPR-Humacao BS Degree in Industrial Chemistry (2007) Graduate Major:  Biochemistry Career Goal:  Obtain my Ph.D. and become a specialist in enzymatic catalysis.  Seek a position in the pharmaceutical industry. Text Box: Diana Delgado Undergraduate Institution:  UPR-Rio Piedras BS Degree in Biology (2008) Graduate Major:   Biology Career Goal:  Obtain my Ph.D. in Biology focusing in Ecology and pursue a  post-doctoral position, and secure a position as a professor and a researcher. Text Box: Haydee Guzman Undergraduate Institution:  UPR-Rio Piedras BS Degree in Mathematics (2007) Graduate Major:  Pure Mathamtics Career Goal:  Obtain a Ph.D. to become a successful and outstanding number theorist, with the goal of becoming a college professor in this area. Text Box: Nelson Rivera Undergraduate Institution:  UPR-Rio Piedras BS Degree in Chemistry (2008) Graduate Major: Analytical Chemistry Career Goal:  Obtain a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, with the goal of seeking a position in the Federal Government,  as well as teach in a post secondary institution. Text Box: Maria Ocasio Undergraduate Institution:  UPR-Humacao BS Degree in Coastal Marine Biology (2007) Graduate Major:  Biology Career Goal:  Obtain a Ph.D. and continue post-doctoral studies,  with the goal of becoming a professor and researcher .   I would like to reach students and motivate them to do research on any aspects of nature. Text Box: Kennett Rivero Undergraduate Institution:  UPR-Rio Piedras BS Degree in  Chemistry (2007) Graduate Major:  Analytical Chemistry Career Goal:  Obtain a Ph.D. and do research in a R&D lab in the pharmaceutical industry. Would also like to have a research group at the academic level to contribute to the growth of the scientific knowledge of our society. Text Box: Diana Silva Undergraduate Institution:  UPR-Rio Piedras BS Degree in  Chemistry (2008) Graduate Major:  Chemistry Career Goal:  Obtain my MS degree in Chemistry and conduct research in a university  or in industry. Text Box: Bridge-to-the-Doctorate Coordinator Text Box: Prof. Javier Figueroa is the Assistant Coordinator of the PR-LSAMP Program and the BDP Coordinator.  His field of specialization is Biology and Ecology.  He has conducted research in Population Biology, biogeographical distribution and systematics  of the Order Odonata in neotropical environments with emphasis in the Greater Antilles.  Address:  UPR Resource Center for Science and Engineering P.O. Box 23334;  San Juan, Puerto Rico  00931-3334 Tel. (787) 765-5170, ext. 2012;  FAX (787) 766-1293  E-mail:  j_figueroa@prlsamp.org Text Box: Puerto Rico Text Box: Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Cohort VI Bridge to the Doctorate Fellows