Ana Venerio Named as 2021 Elijah S. Robinson Award Recipient

TANMS is proud to announce Ana Venerio as the 2021 recipient of the TANMS Elijah S. Robinson Award for Inspiration, Integrity, and Scholarly Promise in Engineering.* Ana Venerio participated in the TANMS Research and Mentoring Program (REM), which pairs high school and community college students in research teams to carry out a TANMS related research project. This past year, the REM program was offered online this year due to the UCLA campus closure and began in October 2020 through January 2021. Despite the virtual program experience, Ana stood out as a natural leader and a dedicated researcher and mentor to her high school research team partner, as well as a role model to her REM cohort. Ana and her partner Evan Jones carried out their research experience in the laboratory of Yuanxun Ethan Wang, Professor Electrical Engineering, undergraduate student Nancy Qian Gao's mentorship. They completed the project, Ferromagnetic Resonance Enhanced Electrically Small Antennas, and presented together at the national NSF 2021 Virtual REM Meeting,  February 11-12, 2021. Ana says that the TANMS Research and Mentoring program “gave me the confidence I needed to know I can conduct research. She recognizes the value of learning about diversity in STEM, reflecting that, “It was very eye-opening to see that the sciences field is not as diverse as I thought it would be. This information gave me more fuel to work hard to be part of the science community and represent Hispanic people.  As a result of her REM experience, she is now interested in continuing to pursue “research on ferromagnetic materials and the different ways they can be used to improve different systems.”

Although born in Fresno, California, Ana's family moved to Nicaragua when she was an infant. She returned to the United States as a teenager and quickly devoted herself to learning English and preparing for college. Upon enrolling at Camino College, Ana began working as a Math Coach to fellow students, an experience that led her to discover her gift for teaching.  Ana's goal is to become a mathematics or physics professor. Ana Venerio is sure to achieve her objectives and make a positive impact where ever she ultimately lands.

Congratulations Ana, the TANMS family wishes you all the best!

*In memory of TANMS Elijah S. Robinson (2000-2017)