Guadalupe Lauro: Outstanding Senior in Biochemical Engineering
Guadalupe Lauro didn’t initially set out to become an engineer.
Lauro had already begun studying biochemistry in Buenos Aires, Argentina, when she was accepted to the University of California, Davis. Lauro was doubting the biochem route — not enough math and physics — and she was drawn to the idea of a problem-solving-focused major. However, she was unsure about uprooting her life.
Encouraged by her father to take the chance or risk wondering “what if,” she made a bold leap of faith.
That leap paid off.
At UC Davis, Lauro found that biochemical engineering offered exactly what she had been looking for: a way to combine her interests in biology and math while developing a new way of thinking. Over time, she came to appreciate not just the technical skills of engineering, but the mindset itself.
“I really came to value how the engineering problem-solving approach can be applied to so many different areas,” she said. “It’s changed the way I think.”
That mindset took shape in her role as an undergraduate researcher in the Shah Lab, led by Priya Shah, an associate professor of chemical engineering and microbiology and molecular genetics.
Through lab meetings and collaboration, she learned to think more critically, ask better questions and take ownership of her work. Presenting her research at conferences and poster sessions further strengthened her confidence, not just as a researcher, but as a communicator.
“Being in the lab helped me realize that I want my career to be at the intersection of engineering and medical research,” she said.
Outside the lab, Lauro extended her passion for learning into teaching. Through tutoring roles with the UC Davis Academic Assistance and Tutoring Centers and the Department of Chemical Engineering’s Chevron Tutoring Program, she discovered a love for helping others understand complex concepts. She hopes to incorporate teaching into her future career.
Looking back, Lauro emphasizes the importance of balance and connection.
“There is always at least one hour each day to do something you enjoy,” she said. “And building relationships — with professors and with classmates — makes all the difference.”
Those relationships have defined her time at UC Davis. From study sessions to spontaneous afternoons in the quad, Lauro’s college experience has been shaped as much by community as by academics. A recent surprise dinner celebrating her acceptance to graduate school stands out as a reminder of the friendships she’ll carry forward.
After graduation, Lauro will continue her journey at Columbia University, where she will pursue a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. There, she hopes to deepen her exploration of immuno-engineering and contribute to research in areas such as vaccine technology and immune response.
“I’m excited to keep building my skills and gaining more experience in research,” she said.
What started as a difficult decision has become a defining one. And for Lauro, the question of “what if” has transformed into something much more certain: a future driven by curiosity, purpose and the courage to try.
Generative AI tools were used to assist in organizing and drafting this Outstanding Senior Spotlight using responses from a student-submitted questionnaire. In alignment with the University of California Responsible AI Principles, human members of UC Davis College of Engineering communications staff reviewed, revised, fact-checked and approved the final story to ensure accuracy and authentically reflect the student’s experiences and achievements.