American Chemical Society National Award for Encouraging Underrepresented and Economically Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences 2025

Member of Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science, and Technology (TAMEST) 2024

Rice University Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award 2023

Named Great Immigrants, Great Americans by Carnegie Corporation of New York 2023

Member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) 2023

Lone Star EMMY Award 2022

UTRGV Excellence Award in Mentoring 2021

National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2020

Speaker at TEDx McAllen 2019

US Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) 2019

Mexicanos Distinguidos Medal 2018 (granted to 31 individuals working outside of Mexico)

Latinas of Influence 2018 (Hispanic Lifestyle)

Outstanding Research Award, American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) 2018

Historias de Exito (Alumni Success Stories) Universidad de Monterrey 2017

Inspiring Leaders in STEM Award, Insight into Diversity 2017

UTRGV Excellence in Research 2017

Featured in the White House website as an immigrant entrepreneur contributing to America’s economy

Engineer of the Year, Great Minds in STEM 2015

Overall Best Professor from College of Engineering and Computer Science, selected by Fall 2015 graduating class

Invited to a Roundtable discussion with President Obama (White House 2013)

UTPA Excellence in Mentoring Award

UT Regent’s Outstanding Teaching Award 2013

Featured in national report by the Partnership for a New American Economy, "Patent Pending: How Immigrants Are Reinventing The American Economy" 2012

R&D 100 Award for the development of the Forcespinning® technique/Fiberio company

Congressional Witness at a STEM Committee Hearing, June 2011

UTPA Distinguished Faculty, selected by UTPA Alumni 2011

Committee of Visitors (NSF) 2011

Innovations That Could Change the Way You Manufacture, granted by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers 2010

Nominee for the UT System Chancellor’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards 2010

University Excellence Research Award 2009

"Who’s Who in the World" 2008 (25th Silver Anniversary Edition)

"Who’s Who in America" 2008

UT System Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Teaching 2006

Empire Who’s Who Executive and Professional Registry 2006-2007

Provost’s Award for Latin American Studies 2006

"Who’s Who in Engineering Education"

"Who’s Who Among Science and Engineering" January 2006

Emerald Honor Award Recipient September 2005

"Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers" September 2005

UTPA University Excellence Research Award 2004

"Powerhitter in Business and Technology," Hispanic Engineer and Information Technology 2003

UTPA Provost’s Hispanic Heritage Award 2003

UTPA Provost’s Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement 2002

UTPA President’s Award 2002

Most Promising Scientist Award, HENAAC 2002

Society of Plastics Engineers, Student Division, Best Paper Award at ANTEC 2002

NSF CAREER Award 2000

Outstanding Researcher from the College of Science and Engineering at UTPA (2000-2001)