Pacific Students, Nathaly Diaz Rosales and Mark Castaneda, attend Stanford Engineering Program

From January 26th to January 28th of 2023, Pacific Students Nathaly Beatriz Diaz Rosales (Bioengineering ‘24) and Mark Castenada (Engineering Physics ‘25) attended Stanford Engineering Research Introductions (SERIS). 

Attendance of SERIS is an incomparable feat accomplished by Nathaly and Mark. In a statement made by Sarah Lowry, a second year Ph.D. student in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, Lowry mentions that this year’s applicants for the program were “highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 26%... 20 students were admitted into the cohort.”

“SERIS aims to introduce undergraduate students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.. Our mission is to increase awareness and exposure to graduate education for underrepresented groups.. participants met with Stanford faculty members to learn about their research, interacted with current Stanford graduate students through panels to learn about life as a graduate student, and toured research labs on campus, among other activities,” says Lowry.

Acceptance into and participation in SERIS is merely an addition to the amazing endeavors of both Nathaly and Mark. Learning about their journeys, their work, and dedication is truly something inspiring to witness. 

Nathaly is a bioengineering major; she cites her interest in health and well being for people as a core reason why she is interested in bioengineering. More specifically, she found interest in the COVID-19 pandemic: “I know that bioengineering had a lot of scope [in the COVID-19 pandemic] so I want to do research in disease or in finding cures for disease.”

In Peru, Nathaly did an internship with a doctor, where she was a lab assistant for research in oncology patients. 

Mark is an engineering physics major, and says, “there is no greater pinnacle in this life that to contribute to space science in some significant way.” And in fact, he already has experience in the area. At Delta College, Mark was a NASA aerospace scholar, and was able to work at NASA the following summer. 

“[Being a NASA aerospace scholar] really encouraged me to believe that I could do more,” says Mark.

Mark mentions that his path, and being in the spot that he is in now, is not one that was easy – “as a first generation, low income, formerly incarcerated, formerly homeless student, the path to get here was really long and difficult.”

Similarly, Nathaly speaks about her experience moving from Peru to the United States. “Coming to the U.S. was a dream for everyone back home in Peru I made it my goal to pursue my dream coming here, and I worked really hard in high school to do that,” says Nathaly. 

When asked about the intersection of being a woman and being in the field of STEM, Nathaly noted that being a woman from Peru, in engineering is not something that is seen everyday. Such representation, she says, would have been helpful when she was younger. 

In being a woman in STEM, Nathaly is the very role model that she wanted to have when she was younger. However, this doesn’t mean that she is immune from imposter syndrome.

“I am the only person I know that is here, doing what I am in the U.S… sometimes I wonder how I am here. Sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve to be here since I am not as smart as everybody. But when you look at the ultimate goal, you stop thinking about what this journey is supposed to look like, and then do it your own way,” says Nathaly.
Likewise, Mark shares his experience with imposter syndrome. “With my background, I thought this whole world was closed off to me for so long. What shatters that is when you do well on an exam, you get 100 on a homework, you do some accomplishment in this path, and it restores your confidence,” says Mark.

Critical to moving through feelings of imposter syndrome, were the support systems that Nathaly and Mark have been able to find. Mark mentions that Jacqueline De La Paz from Success Trio, has been a great support. He also mentions two physics professors: Dr. Jontof-Hutter, and Dr. Hetrick.

For Nathaly, her advisor – Dr. Gulati – has been a great support. “She has been acting like a mom to me while I’m here. She makes sure to give me all the opportunities she sees and advises me on more personal matters,” says Nathaly.

Both Nathaly and Mark are interested in pursuing Ph.D. 's, which was one of their main motivators for applying to SERIS.

Nathaly recounts her experience at SERIS: “When we were at Stanford, I couldn’t believe it. They showed a panel of professors with their research… it was so interesting to see what humanity is doing.” 

“It’s really cool when you get into a place like that… anytime that you are surrounded by people with similar interests, that are just as motivated as the students there were, it helps to motivate you,” says Mark.

Nathaly and Mark both state that the future of engineering should look like companies, schools, or the powers that be, invest into lower income communities. As Mark puts it, “There are these giant pools of amazing talent, survivors, and incredible people that are being left out. There’s an immense amount of talent, drive, and amazingness that doesn’t get included.”

Nathaly and Mark are true hallmarks of talent and drive – they are students who are and will pave the future of engineering. 

Fun fact section: learn more about Nathaly and Mark!

Nathaly’s fun fact: I had a startup company back home when I was 16 – there was a problem in the highlands, in the low income communities where they were struggling with the extreme cold. We made blankets that could sense temperatures, and adjust to keep them warm.”

Mark’s fun fact: My dog, Jellybean, is my favorite person in the world.

cover photo taken from Encyclopedia Britannica