The Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez (UPRM) recognizes students Lucas Lisondo di Tada and Cecilia P. Matos Berríos, and alumna Verónica Martínez Pesante, for their achievements in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), with Lisondo di Tada and Martínez Pesante receiving the fellowship and Matos Berríos earning an Honorable Mention.
Lucas Alberto Lisondo di Tada, a former undergraduate researcher affiliated with the UPR–UW PREM Center for Advancing Research and Training for STEM Success, has been awarded the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, a highly competitive award that supports outstanding students pursuing graduate research in STEM fields.
Reflecting on this achievement, Lucas shared:
“I’m deeply grateful to Mayagüez for the incredible mentors I’ve had—it’s hard to say that this achievement is mine alone. At 18, I decided I wanted to be an inventor. I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors—playing soccer, camping, surfing—so I chose to focus on protecting the environment. This award feels like a pat on the back. It represents a ‘yes’—that in this country, you can pursue what you truly enjoy as your vocation. I plan to continue my academic path by starting my Ph.D. at Stanford in August 2026, which I’m very excited about. At the moment, I am working as a researcher in the group of Prof. Cathy Drennan at MIT.”
Furthermore, Verónica Martínez Pesante (Class of 2025, INQU) has also been awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Materials Science at the University of Southern California (USC), where she continues to build on her training from UPRM.
In addition, Cecilia P. Matos Berríos, an undergraduate researcher in the Baldaguez Medina Research Group, received an Honorable Mention in the NSF GRFP competition.
Reflecting on this achievement, Cecilia shared:
“Receiving an Honorable Mention from the NSF represents a great honor and a meaningful validation of my academic efforts, scientific curiosity, and commitment to research. This recognition reflects not only the work I have done so far, but also the potential I see in myself as a future researcher. It motivates me to continue developing in high-impact areas and contributing to advancements in engineering and science.”
Regarding her future plans, she added:
“I plan to pursue graduate studies in engineering, focusing on research that will allow me to build a strong technical and analytical foundation. My goal is to apply what I learn through research and academic training to work in research and development (R&D) within industry, contributing to innovative solutions with real-world impact.”
The Department congratulates both students on these significant accomplishments and looks forward to their continued success in graduate studies and beyond.
For more information about undergraduate research opportunities in the Department of Chemical Engineering, please visit https://www.uprm.edu/inqu/faculty/.