Jonathan Valenzuela
Alumni, Scholar Interviewer
Jonathan "Jonny" Valenzuela is a doctoral student in Materials Science and Engineering at Lehigh University. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. After graduation, he served as an AmeriCorps STEM Facilitator from 2018 to 2019, where he worked to inspire and motivate underprivileged students to pursue careers in science and technology. In 2021, Jonny was awarded the GEM Fellowship, which provided him with the opportunity to pursue his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at the Materials for Advanced Technology and Sustainability (MATS) Group at Lehigh. His research involves the creation of scalable crystal growth systems for ultra-wide bandgap nitride materials, which has the potential to revolutionize the fields of high-efficiency power electronics. In addition to his research, Jonny is actively involved in various initiatives at Lehigh. He is the Graduate Chair of the DEI Committee and Student Networking Committee at the Materials Science and Engineering Department, and he also serves as the Graduate Chair of Lehigh's Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Through his leadership and commitment to service, Jonny wishes to make advancements in his field while the promoting diversity and inclusivity in STEM.
