UTEP Announces 2025 Top Ten Seniors

Ana Paola Aranzola

A mechanical engineering major from the College of Engineering, Ana Aranzola’s journey began with scientific curiosity. Her first research position involved studying next-generation energy storage devices — 3D-printed batteries. She later interned at NASA, where she worked on sensors for astronauts’ helmets, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Through her research experiences, Aranzola presented at national and international conferences, published papers and became one of UTEP’s first-ever recipients of the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship.

Aranzola served as the vice president of the Mechanical Engineering Honor Society for two years and as an ambassador for the Office of Fellowships and Awards. She also participated in an immersive engineering program in Germany and was named a 2025 Marshall Scholarship Finalist and a Fulbright Semi-Finalist for awards in the United Kingdom..

Aranzola is currently in California pursuing her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University.

Georgina Bugarini

From a young age, biological sciences major from the College of Science Georgina Bugarini was committed to her dream of becoming a doctor. As a Terry Scholar, she pursued her passion by joining the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, serving as a chemistry peer leader, volunteering at El Paso Baptist Clinic and participating in Miner Ambassadors and Girls Who Code.

Burgarini is also a recipient of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, which enabled her to study abroad during Wintermester in London, Paris, Nice, Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome, an experience that broadened her perspective and deepened her cultural awareness.

She has been accepted to medical school at UTMB, where she will begin as a medical student in fall 2025.

Alexa Carranco 

A Chicano studies major from the College of Liberal Arts, Alexa Carranco is a first-generation American and lifelong El Pasoan who is passionate about protecting the civil rights and liberties of immigrant and marginalized communities.

During her time at UTEP, Carranco immersed herself in Chicano culture and civil organizations. She held multiple leadership roles, including president of Texas Rising, Secretary of the Chicano Law Society and Associate Supreme Court Justice of the Student Government Association.

Carranco was selected for The University of Texas System's Bill Archer Fellowship, which gave her the opportunity to study in Washington, D.C. She was chosen to represent UTEP at a Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Executive Order signing in the Oval Office alongside former President Joe Biden, Former Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Hispanic community leaders.

Carranco is a former intern of U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar’s office and worked alongside Commissioner Iliana Holguin at the El Paso County Courthouse. Additionally, she committed her time to social work and volunteering at nonprofit organizations.

Carranco plans to begin her career in local government, securing an internship in Washington, D.C., and then take the LSAT to begin law school in Fall 2026.

Victor Hugo Estrada Jimenez

A cellular and molecular biochemistry major in the College of Science, Victor Estrada's journey began as a Mexican national student and border commuter living in Juárez. He crossed the border daily to attend UTEP, making the most of his time every day.

Despite his demanding schedule, Estrada represented the University as a Miner Ambassador, served as president of the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society and worked multiple part-time jobs, including as an orientation leader, a chemistry peer leader and an undergraduate research assistant.

Estrada also dedicated three years to laboratory research, which became a vital learning experience for his future career. He will begin his doctorate in immunology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus this fall.

Thelma Iris Garcia

Thelma Garcia, a neuroscience major in the College of Science, found UTEP to be a transformative experience. She conducted research through the Campus Office of Undergraduate Research Initiatives (COURI) and interned in public health informatics with UT Health Science Center – Houston.

As a member of the Honors Program, Garcia embraced academic challenges and pushed herself to achieve ambitious goals. She demonstrated leadership and service through SACNAS, the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, and other student organizations.

Garcia’s future plans include taking the MCAT to gain admission to medical school and exploring opportunities in neuroscience.

Arat Fraga

Arat Fraga is willing to take risks and has a passion for innovation.

After studying abroad at Richmond University in London, the businesses management major in the Woody L. Hunt College of Business at UTEP seized opportunities for professional growth.

His notable achievements include winning the 2023 Blackstone Launchpad National IDEA Competition, becoming a semi-finalist for the 2024 Global Hult Prize and participating in New Mexico State University’s Shark Tank. He was selected for the 2024 Success Through Technology Education (STTE) Foundation’s Accelerator Venture Program and received mentorship through UTEP’s National Science Foundation I-Corps program.

Fraga was honored as a Fellow of the 2023 Blackstone Launchpad Bridge Venture Cohort, served as Vice President of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and was chosen to represent UTEP in Amazon Prime’s The College Tour. He has earned multiple prestigious scholarships such as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and the AIFS Diversity Achievement Scholarship.

Fraga plans to work on his startup, called Augmented Reality Industry, and pursue an MBA at an ivy league university.

Priscila Madrid-Arroyos

For Priscila Madrid, a computer science major in the College of Engineering, UTEP has been the foundation of a transformative journey filled with opportunities that have shaped her academic and professional aspirations.

Madrid served as Director of Internal Affairs and Webmaster Chair for UTEP’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and Latinos in Science and Engineering (MAES), conducting undergraduate research at the W. M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation.

Her dedication and involvement led her to be selected and sponsored by the Computer Science Department to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration, the largest gathering of women in STEM. She further expanded her technical expertise through the prestigious MIT Summer Research Program.

Madrid is now pursuing a master’s degree at Åbo Akademi University in Turku, Finland.

Angel Martinez

For Angel Martinez, a political science major in the College of Liberal Arts, UTEP was more than a university – it was a launchpad for growth, advocacy and transformation. Inspired by the 2020 election, Angel entered college eager to understand government and make a difference in his community.

As a Terry Scholar, Martinez took internships with non-governmental organizations and corporate philanthropy teams. He earned prestigious fellowships like the Texas Civic Ambassador Fellowship and Archer Fellowship, which took him to Washington, D.C., where he secured a congressional internship. Martinez plans to return to Capitol Hill and continue his work in public policy after graduation.

Kasandra Onzures

As a rehabilitation sciences major in the College of Health Sciences, Onzures’ dream has never been just about personal success – it has been about helping others find their voice.

Onzures began her college journey during the COVID-19 pandemic, but despite the challenges, she remained actively involved. She served as a Resident Assistant for campus housing, worked as the Community Outreach Officer for the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) and organized volunteer events such as the Apraxia Walk and Buddy Walk, supporting individuals with speech and communication disorders.

Onzures was featured in Amazon Prime’s The College Tour, where she shared her experiences as a UTEP student. She was a member of the Honors Program and was consistently recognized on the Dean’s List. Through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, where she explored bilingual and culturally responsive practices.

Onzures plans to continue her studies at UTEP, pursuing a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology while obtaining her bilingual certificate.

Anamaria Solis

For Anamaria Solis, social work is not just a career — it is her passion and calling. She is dedicated to social justice, advocacy and uplifting underserved communities.

As a social work major for the College of Health Sciences, Solis has volunteered over 100 hours at the Kelly Memorial Food Pantry and the Sacred Heart Migrant Shelter, assisting individuals experiencing food insecurity and homelessness. She has also led book drives, fentanyl awareness campaigns and letter-writing initiatives for migrants, demonstrating her commitment to both local and global humanitarian efforts.

Her leadership and advocacy have earned her several prestigious fellowships, including U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar’s fellowship and the Loretto Justice Fellowship. Additionally, she has traveled internationally, volunteering in Ghana to support reproductive health initiatives and interning in local shelters to provide direct assistance to vulnerable populations.

Solis aspires to become both a social worker and a policymaker, using her expertise to advocate for systemic change and improve the lives of marginalized communities.