GMiS Scholars
Great Minds in STEM is pleased to announce the first members of the Class of 2026 GMiS Scholars! These merit-first scholarships are a testament to the dedication and hard work of exceptional students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements, excellence in research, demonstrable leadership, and a commitment to service.
GMiS Scholars: Class of 2026
Round 1
DiCarlo Family Scholarships
Emily Salinas
Mechanical Engineering
Junior
Rice University
Vanessa Montejano
Mechanical Engineering
Master’s Degree Candidate
University of California, Los Angeles
DOW Scholarships
Carlos Barreta Gamarra
Chemical Engineering
Doctoral Candidate
University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez
Camilo Ortega Vega
Mechanical Engineering
Master’s Degree Candidate
University of California, Los Angeles
Alfred Vargas
Chemical Engineering
Doctoral Candidate
Stanford University
Luisa Barraza Vergara
Chemical Engineering
Doctoral Candidate
Georgia Institute of Technology
Rui and Larissa Cruz Family Scholarships
Angela K. Montano Herazo
Chemical Engineering
Doctoral Candidate
University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez
Maria Karla Onate Socarras
Chemical Engineering
Doctoral Candidate
University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez
Rui and Larissa Cruz Family Scholarships
Aderinsola Ademoye
Environmental Engineering
Sophomore
Mercer University
Isabella Medina
Environmental System Science
Freshman
University of California, Merced
Kiari Johnson
Environmental Science
Senior
Florida Agricultural and
Mechanical University
Maya Nawachi
Environmental Science
Freshman
University of California, Berkeley
Louis and Marie Rosato Memorial Scholarship
Axel Valenzuela
Mechanical Engineering
Freshman
The University of Arizona
Ray and Carmela Mellado Memorial Scholarships
Jesus De Haro Ruiz
Mechanical Engineering
Master’s Degree Candidate
University of Texas at El Paso
Mireya Valentin
Electrical Engineering
Sophomore
East Los Angeles College
Sidney Ibarra
Mechanical Engineering
Freshman
California State University Los Angeles
Jennifer Mondragon
Computer Science
Doctoral Candidate
Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
Isaac Garcia
Chemical Biology
Freshman
The University of New Mexico