Araceli Ortiz
Professor, Microsoft President’s Endowed Professor of Engineering Education and Director of Engineering Education Graduate Programs, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching
Bio
Araceli Martinez Ortiz is the Microsoft President’s Endowed Professor of Engineering Education. She directs the graduate engineering education program at UTSA and the Manuel P. Berriozábal Pre-Freshman Engineering Program (PREP). Dr. Martinez Ortiz was an English Language Learner and a First-Generation student. She attended a pre-college engineering program in Detroit, Michigan, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She also holds Master’s degrees in Manufacturing Management from Kettering University and Curriculum and Instruction from Michigan State University. She received her Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Tufts University. She has been a teacher in Michigan, Massachusetts, and Texas and continues to draw on her instructional skills as a professor of engineering education and as a motivational speaker. With a robust background of fifteen years in engineering industry and another fifteen years in research and education, Araceli is a leading national researcher in engineering education. Her passion lies in extending STEM educational access to all students and teachers but in particular, those in underserved communities. Dr. Martinez Ortiz leads national intervention and research efforts that explore the impact of strengths-based, integrated content and culturally responsive instructional approaches in K-12 engineering. Her curriculum and intervention programs have been implemented nationwide, supporting thousands of youths by recognizing their funds of knowledge and encouraging and preparing them to consider future engineering careers. Araceli collaborates with educators as partners examining professional development that builds critical consciousness and leadership in STEM education.
Research Interests
- Engineering Education (K-12 Intervention programs)
Degrees
- Ph.D., Engineering Education, Tufts University, 2010
- M.A., Curriculum & Instruction/Instructional Technology, Michigan State University, 2003
- M.S., Manufacturing Engineering Management, Kettering University, 1992
- B.S., Industrial & Operations Engineering, The University of Michigan, 1988
Grants, Patents and Clinical Trials
- NIH. Biomedical Engineering Superheroes
- Funder: NIH 1,300,000.00
- Duration: 2024-2029
- NEISD NASA School- SETA Educational Specialist- Year 1 and 2
- Funder: NASA
- Total Amount: $149,421.00
- Duration: 2023-2024
- NASA Faculty Fellowship. Office of STEM Engagement
- Funder: NASA
- Total Amount: $205,958.00
- Duration: 2022-2023
- Texas State NASA STEM Engagement & Educator Professional Development Collaborative (EPDC-2).
- Funder: NASA
- Total Amount: $21,067,016.00
- Duration: 2014-2021
- FAMA 1 & 2- Tri-Region Future Aerospace Engineers And Mathematicians Academy
- Funder: NASA
- Total Amount: $724,000.00
- Duration: 2015-2020
- The Engineering Education Maker Identity Project
- Funder: National Science Foundation
- Total Amount: $300,000.00
- Duration: 2015-2018
- STEM Pre-Service Teacher Summer Educator Institutes
- Funder: NASA
- Total Amount: $2,900,000. 00
- Duration: 2015-2019
- Texas State STEM Rising Stars
- Funder: National Science Foundation- DUE grant
- Total Amount: $1,500,000.00
- Duration: 2014-2017
- A BRIDGE Program to Engage, Sustain, and Empower Women and Minorities in STEM
- Funder: US Department of Agriculture STEM grant
- Total Amount: $54,000.00
- Duration: 2014-2016
- REENERGIZE: Recruitment and Retention of Students in STEM Programs through a Renewable Energy Research and Education Partnership with Five Minority Institutions
- Funder: U.S. Department of Education, MSEIP grant
- Total Amount: $607,000.00
- Duration: 2014-2017
