2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

1. Dr. Blanca Rincon University of California Riverside [biography]

   Blanca E. Rincón is an associate professor of STEM Equity and Education at the University of California Riverside. She received her Ph.D. in education policy studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She identifies as a proud Mexicana/Latina, a daughter of immigrants, and is the first in her family to attend college. Her research agenda aims to advance educational equity for historically underserved and marginalized college students in STEM, and specifically Latina/o/x college students. With support from the National Science Foundation, her research investigates three interrelated lines of inquiry: 1) The origins, sustainability, and impact of STEM enrichment programs, 2) The institutional environments that shape college student experiences and outcomes, and 3) The culturally derived assets that college Students of Color mobilize to navigate and persist in STEM

2. Vanessa Vongkulluksn University of Nevada - Las Vegas [biography]

   Dr. Vanessa W. Vongkulluksn is an Associate Professor in the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She earned her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Southern California. As a first-generation immigrant, she understands how the intentional facilitation of motivationally supportive learning spaces is crucial for student success – especially those whose cultural assets may not be recognized by our educational system. Her research centers on contextually-specific motivation and engagement in technology-integrated STEM learning contexts. A central focus of this work is to design innovative learning environments and teacher resources for supporting equitable motivation and engagement, particularly for historically underserved students.

3. Dr. Juanita K. Hinojosa University of Nevada - Las Vegas [biography]

   Dr. Juanita K. Hinojosa is a Research Associate in the Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Higher Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Hinojosa received her Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and proudly identifies as a first-generation college graduate and immigrant scholar. Hinojosa’s lived experiences inform her work and research, and she is passionate about researching and developing inclusive practices and policies that advocate for and support students pursuing a postsecondary degree.

4. Eduardo Robleto [biography]

   Eduardo A. Robleto is a Latino professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Life Sciences. Dr. Robleto is a native of Nicaragua and got his BSc in 1986 from the Escuela Agricola Panamericana in Honduras. He earned his M.Sc. in 1994 and Ph.D. in 1998 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Also, he was a Postdoctoral fellow at UW Madison and Tufts School of Medicine during 1998-2002. Dr. Robleto is the Program Coordinator of Nevada-INBRE, which is designed to improve the biomedical research infrastructure and diversify the STEM workforce in Nevada. The Robleto lab studies DNA repair, mutagenesis, and gene expression in cells experiencing stress. Dr. Robleto believes that strong and committed mentoring empowers students to meet their potential in research and academic development. Providing role models for diverse students fosters a learning and inclusive environment that promotes innovation and creativity at UNLV and consequently improves the nation's workforce.

5. Melissa Morales Ambriz University of Nevada - Las Vegas [biography]

   Melissa Morales is a graduate student in the Higher Education M.Ed. program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with an expected graduation in Spring 2026. Melissa Morales Ambriz is a graduate student in Higher Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Mathematics from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. As a proud Mexicana and first-generation college graduate, her experiences inform her commitment to supporting underrepresented students. She currently serves as a Graduate Research Assistant and Academic Advising Intern. Her professional interests include student development, sense of belonging, and advancing support systems for underrepresented students in STEM and higher education.

6. Dulshi Fernando University of Nevada - Las Vegas [biography]

   Dulshi Fernando is a doctoral student in Educational Psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and her master's degree in Psychological Sciences from California State University, Chico. Her research and advocacy are strongly shaped by her experiences navigating cultural expectations, academic pathways, and the evolving meanings of education passed down across generations. As the daughter of two Sri Lankan immigrants, Dulshi is passionate about understanding how social, cultural, and structural forces shape students’ motivation, identity development, and educational opportunity, particularly for students from historically marginalized communities. As a researcher, mentor, and advocate, she is dedicated to producing scholarship that amplifies marginalized voices and informs more equitable practices in education.

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