Hispanic Heritage Student Spotlight: Luis Mendez

CBC is Celebrating and Honoring Hispanic Heritage! We now highlight Luis Mendez!

"My name is Luis Mendez, I’m a Biochemistry Major, Class of 2025. I am currently doing my Senior CAPSTONE thesis at the Heien Lab which is focused in part on finding alloys for implantable electrodes that are better at resisting biofouling (basically all the gunk that starts forming around electrodes when they are implanted on the body long term) which should allow researchers to get more accurate readings of the brain neurochemistry to better understand (something the Heien Lab also does), and treat, neurodegenerative diseases. After I graduate, my intention is to find a job that allows me to keep focusing on that area of study, in the biomedical field to help improve understanding and treatments of diseases and other afflictions. And, God willing, maybe even move to Germany, Norway, or the UK while doing so. I was even thinking Japan but I sort of gave up on trying to learn Japanese.

I guess one of my biggest accomplishments in college has actually been just being here, now, so close to graduate. I know in some ways it may not sound much like a challenge, but I moved to the US from Mexico eleven years ago, when I was halfway through my college career there, and basically had to start from scratch. But I don’t regret it even though there have been times I have nearly had to quit my studies for one reason or another. Sometimes it was financial or personal ones. At one time I was even studying full time, working full time, and helping my parents care for my sister who is special ed and my 95-year-old grandmother, and I felt that if I needed to give up something to focus more on the others, then college was the no-brainer to put on hold. But thanks to my family and friends’ unwavering support, as well as God looking out for me, I never did have to. And now I am finally on the home stretch, even though it took considerably longer than the four years it was supposed to. As they say, slow and steady wins the race."

“Encomienda al Señor tu camino; confía en él, y él actuará.” – Salmo 37:5

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He shall bring it to pass” – Psalm 37:5