Scholarship Winner
Francis Luigi Lozano
2024 FASAE SoCal Education Foundation Alimento-Niere Scholarship recipient.
Francis is a junior at the University of California, Irvine, majoring in Informatics. Born in the Philippines, his journey began with his family’s immigration to New York City to seek better medical support for his sister. This early experience of navigating uncharted territory defined his resilience and instilled in him a desire to be the first to face challenges so he could clear a path for others. His commitment to academic excellence is demonstrated by his selection as a Regents Scholar which serves as a testament to his sustained high grade point average and scholastic achievement.
He possesses a strong technical foundation in Python, C++, and Java that he applies to complex engineering challenges. Francis currently serves as the Project Director for FUSION at UCI where he leads a multidisciplinary team of forty members to develop a Remote-Controlled Precision Cargo Drone. In this role, he manages strict budgets and timelines while ensuring adherence to safety regulations. He previously demonstrated his technical leadership as the Software Project Lead for a Mobile-Gesture Robotic Arm where he coordinated the migration of critical systems from hardware to software.
Beyond his technical endeavors, Francis is deeply committed to servant leadership and mentorship within the academic community. He works as a Peer Academic Advisor and Data Analyst for the ICS Student Affairs Office where he has advised over 200 computer science students on their graduation plans. He actively embraces the role of a Kuya or older brother to younger Filipino American students by organizing technical workshops on 3D CAD design and electronic prototyping. He utilizes these platforms to help underrepresented students gain hands-on experience and find a sense of belonging in the STEM field.
Looking forward, Francis plans to pursue a career as a project manager. He specifically aims to guide individuals from developing nations and those who are the first in their families to enter the technology sector. His professional philosophy centers on the belief that being first is not about personal recognition but about breaking new ground to ensure that those who follow do not have to struggle the same way he did.