Diana Aguilar-Cruz

Diana Aguilar-Cruz is a first-generation college student who was born and raised in Mexico City and immigrated to the United States in 2015 as a non-English speaker.

She graduated summa cum laude from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a bachelor's degree in biology. Today, Aguilar-Cruz is pursuing a master of public health degree with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention at California State University, Fullerton.

A resident of Baldwin Park, she is also the cofounder of Nezahualcoyotl, a volunteer-based organization aimed at assisting underrepresented students in achieving their dreams of obtaining an undergraduate degree or entering the workforce.

Aguilar-Cruz has conducted research on cardiovascular diseases in homeless populations, Alzheimer's disease and chemical reactions that could support sustainable chemical enterprise. Her goal is to obtain an M.D. in pediatric neurosurgery and a Ph.D. in chemistry.