2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

1. Dr. Araceli Martinez Ortiz http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3375-1519 The University of Texas at San Antonio [biography]

   Araceli Martinez Ortiz, PhD, is the Microsoft President’s Endowed Professor of Engineering Education at the University of Texas at San Antonio, with a joint appointment in the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and the College of Education and Human Development. She is currently Professor and Director of the Engineering Education Graduate Program. She also serves as Executive Director of the Dr. Manuel P. Berriozábal Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP), advancing STEM engagement and community-integrated research in engineering education. Her research focuses on pre-engineering pathways, skilled technical workforce development, challenge-based learning, STEM educator professional development, and the integration of artificial intelligence in engineering education. She previously served as Executive Director of the LBJ Institute for STEM Education and Research at Texas State, leading major initiatives supported by NASA and NSF. Dr. Martinez Ortiz holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Kettering University, Michigan State University, and Tufts University.

2. Diana Milagros Natividad The University of Texas at San Antonio [biography]

   Diana Milagros Natividad is a Master Teacher in Science and a current graduate student in Engineering Education at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). She serves as a Teacher Leader for the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program at Texas Biomed, where she facilitates professional development for fellow educators. Her research interests center on the integration of engineering and biomedical concepts into K-12 science curriculum. Diana Milagros holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Mary's University. She is passionate about empowering her young Spartan scientists through authentic inquiry based learning.

3. Veronica Espinoza The University of Texas at San Antonio [biography]

   Veronica Espinoza is a high school science teacher and a graduate student in Engineering Education at The University of Texas at San Antonio. She currently teaches biology and has previously taught physics and chemistry. She has also served as a physics teacher for the Dr. Manuel P. Berriozábal's Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP). Her work focuses on the development and implementation of collaborative STEM curriculum that integrates engineering practices into secondary science classrooms. Her interests include fostering engineering identity, supporting diverse learners, and designing collaborative, real-world learning experiences that connect science content to community-based challenges. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Science from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026