What is your background?
I completed both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in applied physics in Puebla, Mexico. During my master’s, I worked on computer simulations of surface plasmon resonance using light to study interactions between proteins.
What is your research about?
I’m developing an optical method to measure electrical activity in cells using optics and plasmonics, so we can sense what cells are doing electrically without physically touching them.
Why did you choose the University of Nottingham?
The University of Nottingham is internationally recognised for its research excellence. When I was looking for a research group aligned with my interests in optics, I was immediately drawn to the Optics and Photonics research group within the Faculty of Engineering, particularly the work led by Dr Sidahmed Abayzeed. Having dreamed since childhood of studying and living in the UK this opportunity felt like the perfect fit both academically and personally.
What would you say to aspiring engineers?
I come from a developing country where studying abroad and securing funding is far from easy. However, if I could go back in time and speak to my younger self I would anyway say: dream as big as you possibly can. Even ideas that sound unrealistic — like creating a new technology or solving a global problem — are worth pursuing. With small steps, resilience, and a strong support network of family, friends, and institutions, progress happens and opportunities appear.