Santiago Lopez

2024 Astronaut Scholar

Hometown

Spring, TX

Major

Physics Honors; Mathematics

College

College of Science; John Martinson Honors College

 

Santi Lopez was awarded the Astronaut Scholarship in recognition of his promising research career in Quantum Error Correction for solving real world problems.  While his motivation is evident in his accomplishments, his success is also the result of strategic thinking and an openness to try something new.  Santi points to his experience in the Fermilab Quantum Division during summer 2023, which led to a shift in his scientific perspective and research aspirations.  Not only did he self-study and tap into his strengths for computing and critical thinking to complete a challenging project, he brought new ideas from this experience back into his work in the Ma lab at Purdue.

 

Building on his campus engagement experience as ambassador, treasurer, and mentor in the College of Science, Santi took his own giant leap by stepping into the role of founder and president of Quantum Student Organization, in which he works to foster collaboration between Midwest universities, industry, and Purdue University. As a first-generation American, Santi has a clear vision of how increasingly important it will be to work not only across disciplines and industry, but also to collaborate with people of differing background for the future of quantum.

 

Writing in support of his application, Alex R. Ma, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, witnessed Santi’s professional growth both inside the lab and across time as he served as faculty mentor.