TAMIU Annual Report 2022

TAMIU ALUMNI DR. CARLOS RAMOS GOMEZ- REJÓN (‘04) Carlos has been selected for the 2022 Brookings LEGIS Congressional Fellowship. A Laredo native, he earned his Bachelors of Arts with a Major in Biology from TAMIU. Carlos also holds a law degree from The University of Texas School of Law, and a doctorate in public health from The University of Texas School of Public Health. During his Congressional Fellowship, he is working in the U.S. Senate supporting the development of federal health laws. After the Fellowship, he will return to The MITRE Corporation as a Health Policy Analyst to provide thought leadership to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies. He also teaches graduate public health courses with the New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and Texas A&M University- Kingsville. VIRGILIO BARRERA (‘11) Virgilio is the current Director of Government Public Affairs at Holcim US. He oversees federal and state legislative and regulatory issues for Holcim US, the world’s largest building material manufacturer. He also helps lead the company’s response to public affairs issues and media oversight inquiries. He earned his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from TAMIU in 2011 and has worked for nearly 15 years on all aspects of legislative and regulatory processes. DR. RAÚL RAMOS (‘14) Raúl is a Neuroscientist studying how psychedelics impact touch perception at the cellular level at Brandeis University. His dissertation research focused on understanding how different forms of synaptic plastic cooperates with the brain to govern memory formation. He received his BA in Psychology from TAMIU and his Ph.D. from Brandeis University. This year, he visited TAMIU, making a point to engage with TAMIU students, a Biology Seminar class, and with student members of TAMIU’s Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society and American Medical Student Association to talk about careers in science. DR. VANESSA GARZA CLARK (‘04, ‘11) Dr. Vanessa Garza Clark is currently the chair of Our Lady of the Lake University’s Computer Information Systems and Security department. She has worked in the industry for many years and has vast experience working for CPA firms. She teaches various courses, including Database, Systems Analysis & Design, Accounting Information Systems, and Analytics. Of TAMIU Clark says, “TAMIU was a time of personal and professional growth for me. The work, research, and experience I gained at TAMIU prepared me to have a fulfilling career in academia.” 29