Alejandro Brisenosa
Alejandro Briseno, assistant professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at University of Massachusetts, Amherst, will speak on “The Future of Power and Energy Through Nanotechnology” from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 20 at the Martin V. Smith Center for Integrative Decision-Making, Room 1908 at CSU Channel Islands.
Briseno will follow his presentation with a keynote address, “Si, Se, Puede: Succeeding in the Face of Adversity,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the same location.
On Thursday, April 21, Briseno will present a keynote address at Oxnard College, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) students, faculty and staff, “Si, Se, Puede: An Underrepresented Scientist Represents Science.”
The Wednesday and Thursday events are free and open to the public.
Briseno will detail the remarkable story of the journey that led him to a career in science, the university reported in a media release. As a young man, the murder of his father in Los Angeles led him to the decision to direct his life away from hopelessness, violence and self-destruction. He enrolled at CSU Los Angeles and, during his time there, teachers recognized his potential, mentoring and training him in research. They provided him the inspiration and confidence to be a scientist, allowing him to complete his bachelor’s of science degree at CSULA.
He was awarded a fellowship of more than $100,000 to continue graduate studies in chemistry. After completing two Master’s degrees (CSULA and UCLA) and his doctorate (University of Washington), as well as a postdoctoral study at UC Berkeley, he accepted an appointment at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
Briseno’s personal story and his life of achievements make a compelling and inspiring presentation, the university reported. He is a strong believer in the power of mentoring students and that dedicated faculty can be true agents of change in a student’s life.
This program, funded by CSU Channel Island’s HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) STEM, represents the final program in the Diversity Speaker Series for the current year.
For more information about Briseno’s presentations, call Phil Hampton at 805.437.8869 or send an email to philip.hampton@csuci.edu