Meet Cris Lugo, SGA President, Computer Science Major and International Student
Cris Lugo understands the education gap caused by a lack of technology. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the Turks and Caicos Islands, his home had no computers. Now, he hopes to combine his experience as the first international student ever chosen to be president of the Student Government Association (SGA) ― and sit on the Board of Trustees ― with his computer science major to help low-income and underserved communities gain access to computers and other technology. Lugo obtained his AA degree in computer science at Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, where he was honored with the Outstanding Performance award and was also the SGA president.
Aldo Amenta walks across the stage for his master’s degree
Aldo Amenta became paralyzed several years ago as he was starting his career at Florida International University. Undeterred, he continued his studies. In 2018, he made international news when he walked across the commencement stage using an exoskeleton to receive his bachelor’s degree from FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing.
On Dec. 12, 2021, he did it again and graduated with a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from FIU. Aldo hopes to enter the biomedical industry to help others like him suffering from a severe spinal injury. He hopes to pursue a Ph.D.
Making an Impact
FIU College of Engineering and Computing students are relentless in pursuing big ideas. They are young and inspired and are seizing the future by making an impact today that will lead to better lives.
FIU students win Campus RainWorks Challenge
A team of engineering and architecture students won first place in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2021 Campus RainWorks Challenge for their Resilient MAST@FIU design, focusing on reducing potential flooding, using green infrastructure and reducing urban heat effects.
Engineering students' seawater battery takes first place
Amanda Perez, Alexandra Berkova and Ana Claus are innovating a way to alleviate lithium demand. They are prototyping a seawater battery that uses sodium instead of lithium. Their design won first place at Schneider Electric’s Go Green for North America.
Student builds plastic materials to protect technology from space radiation
Kazue Orikasa, a Ph.D. student, is designing and building strong plastic-based materials that can withstand extreme radiation to prevent signal interruption. Her research is being tested at a NASA radiation testing facility.
At-home test could detect heart disease through sound
Valentina Dargam, a Ph.D. student, is working on an algorithm that can accurately differentiate the sounds of a healthy heart and a diseased heart. Her initial testing has been successful and can potentially revolutionize cardiac care.
Supporting Inclusivity
FIU awards more undergraduate engineering and computing degrees to Hispanics and minority students than any other college in the nation.
#1
In the nation for bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic students
#5
In the nation for bachelor’s degrees awarded to Black/African American students
#30
In the nation for bachelor’s degrees awarded to women
Promoting gender equality and diversity
FIU has partnered with Break Through Tech to develop programs that will help women and underrepresented communities access technology degrees, careers and leadership positions. As part of the Gender Equality in Tech Cities Initiative, this partnership aims to expand the talent pipeline that is supporting South Florida’s growing tech ecosystem. With more than 650 FIU undergraduate students earning degrees in computing each year and 75% of female computing students representing minority groups, FIU is the ideal host for the fourth Break Through Tech city in the nation.
