CHANGE-MAKER
“ In the same way that I used to—and still do—look up to my mentors and advisers, some people look up to me for motivation and inspiration. I take that role seriously. ”
- Alexander Diaz-Lopez, PhD
Alexander Diaz-Lopez, PhD, associate professor of Mathematics, knew from an early age that he wanted to be an educator. Growing up in Puerto Rico, he often tutored his classmates in middle school and high school. It was at the University of Puerto Rico and, later, the University of Notre Dame that he discovered a love of research and became committed to getting more students from a wide variety of backgrounds interested in mathematics.
On Villanova’s faculty since 2017, Dr. Diaz-Lopez has sought out a way to combine his passions for being a researcher and a champion of students looking for mentorship and leadership opportunities. The result was the creation of a summer program–last year’s inaugural Villanova-Puerto Rico Research Retreat (VPR^3). The eight-week experience, which received National Science Foundation grant funding, brings together students from ĂŰĚŇTV and the University of Puerto Rico to conduct research with Dr. Diaz-Lopez. The program helps students determine if research is a path they want to pursue and, if so, helps them gain valuable experience.
In addition to conducting research, students attend conferences, engage in professional development opportunities and enjoy outings together as a group. “We really do create a community,” says Dr. Diaz-Lopez.
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PHOTO: VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY/JOHN SHETRON
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