EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Three women from the Borderland were named in Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) Rales Fellows’ 2025 cohort for rising STEM leaders.
The second cohort welcomed a total of 34 graduate students. Two El Paso students, Sofia Loya and Melanie Saenzpardo, and one Anthony, New Mexico student, Haylee Viramontes, were named in the cohort.
Melanie Saenzpardo is studying for her M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering. She completed her undergrad at the University of Texas at Austin.
Haylee Viramontes is studying for her M.S. in Information Security. She completed her undergrad at New Mexico State University.
Sofia Loya is studying for her Masters in Mechanical Engineering. She completed her undergrad at Texas A&M University.
“The 34 CMU Rales Fellows in the 2025 cohort are exceptional scholars, creative innovators and purpose-driven leaders committed to making a meaningful impact in their fields and communities,” read the release from CMU.
Rales Fellows receive full tuition support, a living stipend, mentorship and exclusive professional development opportunities.
“We are delighted to partner with a distinguished institution like Carnegie Mellon to open up access to a world-class graduate education for talented and deserving students like these 34 Fellows,” said Joshua Rales, president of the Norman R. Rales and Ruth Rales Foundation. “We can think of no better way to honor the memory of my parents, Norman and Ruth Rales, than by empowering these outstanding young people to realize their full potential as future leaders and innovators in the sciences.”
The Rales Fellowship was launched in 2023 through a $150 million partnership with the Rales Foundation. According to the release, the fellowship supports students across over 120 STEM master’s and doctoral programs at CMU.
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