Welcome to UTSA P20 Pathways to Education Research
Training Program

For more information about our program, please contact us:

The University of Texas at San Antonio, with a grant (R305B210028) from the National Center for Education Research (NCER) in the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education, is providing support for the IES Educational Research Training Program: UTSA P20 Pathways to Education Research.

The training program is primarily housed within the UTSA Department of Interdisciplinary Teaching and includes faculty and students from across disciplines who are conducting Educational Science research.

Since 2016, the IES Educational Research Training Program: UTSA P20 Pathways to Education Research (IES UTSA Pathways) has been developing a pipeline of young and talented interdisciplinary researchers who bring fresh ideas, approaches, and perspectives to addressing the issues and challenges of inequalities that exist in educational experiences, transitions, and outcomes from PK through graduate school.

UTSA Pathways supports undergraduate students for doctoral studies in education research across disciplines through its education research training program.  The training program provides fellows with: (1) the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of P-20 pipeline issues; (2) an introduction to education research and scientific methods; (3) meaningful opportunities to participate in education research studies; and (4) professional development and mentoring leading to doctoral studies.

We are currently recruiting undergraduate juniors to be part of our 2023-24 UTSA IES Pathways Cohort.

Important Deadlines

Final Deadline Extension

October 4, 2024

Program Starting Date

October 2024

Our Fellows
Delaney Cook
Delaney Cook

Delaney Cook is a third-year student at the University of Texas at San Antonio pursuing a Bachelor’s in Music Education. She is an active member of the IES Pathways Program and is pursuing research to help underrepresented women in music. Along with her involvement in the IES program, she is currently in the Spirit of San Antonio marching band here at UTSA. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she plans to apply for graduate school to further her studies in Music Education or a parallel field like Music Theory.

BIOGRAPHY
Mythri Lakkireddy
Mythri Lakkireddy

Mythri Lakkireddy is a third-year student at the University of Texas at San Antonio who is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Business Administration and concentrations in Cybersecurity and Data Science. She is originally from Austin and she is an active member of the UTSA Honors College. After graduation she looks forward to going to graduate school to further her studies in Cybersecurity and research.

BIOGRAPHY
Maya Lopez
Maya Lopez

I am Maya Lopez, a dedicated junior at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where I am pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus on management. As a proud first-generation college student, I am committed to empowering underrepresented voices in business. I participate in the IES UTSA P20 Pathways to Education Research Training Program, my interest in research focuses on the experiences of Latina women business owners, especially first-generation Spanish-speaking women, in acquiring essential skills like math, accounting, and marketing.

BIOGRAPHY
Ashley Motola
Ashley Motola

Ashley Motola is a second year Cuban-Mexican American at the University of Texas At San Antonio pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering. She is currently a National Institute of Health ESTEEMED scholar as well as IES Pathways fellow. As an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Gonzalez Porras FatLab, her research consists of studying cellular processes and its respective effect on fat metabolism. Coming from the latin american community, Ashley hopes to increase STEM representation from marginalized communities and serve as a mentor for the future generation of latinos in STEM.

BIOGRAPHY
Darryll Owens
Darryll Owens

Darryll Owens is a veteran and first-generation junior from the University of Texas at San Antonio studying Psychology. He is an IES Pathways fellow, an active member of the Honors College, a participant in the Nurturing Hope Program, and involved in the military community including providing hospice care for veterans. After making the president’s list, he started researching with Dr. Lopez and Dr. McNaughton in the psychology department during his internship. He will be his family’s first-ever Ph.D. recipient after applying and completing graduate school.

BIOGRAPHY
Miguel Rivera
Miguel Rivera

Miguel Rivera is an undergraduate student in the IES Pathways Program at UTSA, funded by the US Department of Education. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Chemistry. He is passionate about research and aims to further his education by obtaining a Doctorate in Engineering. Miguel is focused on contributing to innovation solutions in the industry. He hopes to support and inspire underrepresented students in STEM to achieve their goals.

BIOGRAPHY
Claudia Salcido
Claudia Salcido

Claudia Salcido is a junior at the University of Texas at San Antonio, pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on EC-12 Special Education. She has been awarded the prestigious Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers, as well as the Belinda Nelson Villarreal Memorial Scholarship. As a fellow in the IES Pathways program and an aspiring educator, Claudia is committed to researching academic disabilities, particularly dyslexia and ADHD, and their impact on minority communities.

BIOGRAPHY
Nishat Shama
Nishat Shama

II am a junior majoring in Microbiology and Immunology. As someone originally from Bangladesh, a developing nation with a high prevalence of infectious diseases, my interest in this field stems from personal experience with the environment I grew up in. I am passionate about research, particularly in understanding the role of microbes in global health. Currently, I am honored to be part of the UTSA P20 Pathways to Education Research Training Program, where I am exploring educational science. My research interests focus on investigating the disparities in school performance among children, particularly how these gaps relate to socioeconomic status and family dynamics. I am eager to contribute to bridging these gaps and improving educational outcomes for underserved populations.

BIOGRAPHY
Margarita Solis
Margarita Solis

Margarita Solis is a dedicated public health student at the University of Texas at San Antonio, committed to improving health outcomes for underserved communities, particularly Spanish-speaking populations in South Texas. Her passion for healthcare was ignited through her volunteering at University Health’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Corazon Clinic, where she provided compassionate support to vulnerable populations.

During her study abroad in Spain, Margarita gained insights into the Spanish healthcare system and took courses in translation and interpretation, which deepened her understanding of language barriers in healthcare—key to her mission of advancing health equity.

BIOGRAPHY
Haruka Whitcroft
Haruka Whitcroft

Haruka highlights the importance of providing accessible and continuous education for student parents, along with support for their children. Her aim is to conduct research on equitable educational opportunities for those who have historically faced socioeconomic disparities. She believes that this research has the potential to create effective solutions that ease the financial strain and emotional challenges for young parents. Additionally, it may provide social benefits that contribute to the overall improvement of the local economy. In South Texas, especially in San Antonio, the prevalence of teen and young pregnancies is alarmingly high, with rates soaring to four times above the national average.

BIOGRAPHY
Dimah Zaki
Dimah Zaki

Coming from an immigrant family and currently pursuing a biology degree at UTSA , as well as being an active member of the Pre-Pharmacy Society, I have a deep commitment to becoming a pharmacist. This focus lies in addressing the challenges faced by underserved communities, especially those impacted by language barriers in healthcare. These communication gaps often hinder patients from receiving proper care, which has caused me to develop a strong desire to help bridge these gaps and ensure that all individuals have access to quality medical services in the near future.

BIOGRAPHY
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