Help me to initiate my PhD. studies at UTEP

Hello! Thank you in advance for taking the time to read over my campaign :)

Since I was a child, my dream has always been to become an engineer scientist. Therefore, I did not behave as most kids do. Seeing a project coming to life it is something that thrills my eagerness even more. My desire to frame the intangible out of the imagination for the betterment of humanity it is what brings me to you today. I applied to the University of Texas at El Paso in late April. Finally, by the second week of June, I received the most expected letter of my life: the acceptance letter to go to the College of Engineering for a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering this Fall. There are not sufficient words in the English or Spanish languages to describe exactly what I felt. I can only mention that obtaining a doctorate is the most crucial aim of my life. To give you a glimpse of why, please let me share a bit more of my academic story in the subsequent paragraphs.

The University of Calgary established the foundations of my undergraduate studies from 2006 to 2009 thanks to the Dean’s Merit Admission Award from the Faculty of Science. There, I engaged in a rigorous combined degree in Biological Sciences and Archaeology. During my third year, I was particularly fortunate to win a Travel Conference and Award and an Explorers Club Grant to engulf myself into my first bioarcheological exploration in the overseas. Consequently, I reinforced my conviction towards investigation when I had the honour to participate in the preservation of archaeological remains from Mexico and Nicaragua. This further contributed to nourish my determination to pursue additional studies. Sadly, speechless Juarez’s violence pulverized my aspirations. Part of my education funds were lost forever with the assassination of one of my benefactors. So, I had to initiate all over again.

I firmly proceeded with my undergraduate studies until July 2012, when the Universidad Abierta y a Distancia de México granted me admission to an engineering in Biotechnology. The course load enabled me to venture in a variety of techniques that were used during the development of my thesis work in mechanical scarification of Echinocactus parryi under the supervision of Dr. Pedro Osuna Avila from UACJ and Dr. Diana Elinos Calderón from UNADM.

In addition to biological, archaeological and biotechnological sciences, I enrolled in a T.S.U. in Renewable Energy at Universidad Tecnológica de Ciudad Juárez on September 2015. My passion for engineering forged and solidified even more. Hence, my potential wider since I had the opportunity to visit the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juarez and El Colegio de Chihuahua as a summer student researcher. . Thusly, once again, I had the opportunity to place into practice all the acquired knowledge whilst I was writing my thesis work in energy savings and generation for low-income day cares under the supervision of M.Eng. Edgar Tovar Vázquez.

So, as you were able to read, obtaining an engineering degree materializes 14 years of hard work, tears, frustrations, loneliness, happiness, success, etc. In few words, all human emotions at the same time. Therefore, being able to be accepted directly into a PhD. without having a master's degree first, makes me feel even prouder of my achievement. Unfortunately, I won't be able to do it without your support. I am still short $8000 USD dlls. The government of Mexico is not going to help me this year with a complete scholarship. Sadly, my electronic signature from SAT was not accepted during CONACYT's application due to a mistake in their systems. Even though I reported it, they decided to do not consider my application. They asked me to wait a whole year to apply again. I can't wait that long because I will loose the opportunity of my life. So any support from you will be forever appreciate it. All the best!

Alma Ileana Leyva Aranzabal

Frequently asked questions

1. You may be wondering, okay, people may be able to help you this year, but what would happen in upcoming years? As I said at the beginning of the campaign, I just need your help to start. I am very confident about my skills and diligence. I could not applied to other scholarships because all of the scholarships available for somebody like me have as one of the requirements being minimum a year at graduate school.

2. Another question that you may have is why your family is not helping you? Indeed, my family has always given to me all their help. However, we have lots of financial limitations. We do not come from a wealthy background. We just have enough to eat, dress and pay for our house. Bank loans are totally out of our possibilities at this moment.

3. Finally, a last question you may have in mind is, are you willing to show proof of how the funds were used? Of course. I have no problem in showing you my acceptance letter, tuition payment when it is done, etc. I just want you to have the confidence that my situation is absolutely true. Besides, if I am able to help you with a tax deduction when you do your taxes, please let me know how. I will be delighted to do it for the help that you gave me.

If you happen to have more questions, please feel free to reach me.