CEW+ celebrates Gabriela’s passion and names her an Irma M. Wyman Scholar.

Gabriela Ivonne Lopez-Salgado has a passion for both science and service. The oldest daughter of Mexican immigrants, Gabriela demonstrated a proclivity for science and math at a young age. As an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, she has refined her natural talents into a particular interest in computer programming, soldering, embedded systems, circuits, and electrical components, and she is now pursuing a major in computer science engineering.

In summer 2023, Gabriela was a member of the Apple Developer Academy where she supported research and iOS application design and programmed an iOS mobile app from scratch. After that, Gabriela took on the role of a Test Engineering Intern with the Controls Team in the H2 Connected Power Systems Department at Cummins Inc. She worked on concept design, test design, execution, and technical documentation to support the software implementation of a new transfer switch mechanism to an existing control. Gabriela also led the effort to investigate and resolve signal processing and timer issues in the transfer switch control’s load shed feature.

As a first-generation Latina in STEM, Gabriela has firsthand experience overcoming the challenges that underserved students face in higher education. She has already given so much back to her community through service though she is only a junior herself. She is an active member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and was recognized as a LeaderSHPE Scholar during her first year. Last year, she served as the 2022-2023 Vice President of External Affairs of SHPE where she founded and produced a podcast to ​​speak about topics involving graduate school, life as an engineer, and imposter syndrome with the SHPE Alumni Network. She also co-devised the 2023 SHPE’d Abroad program which for the first time took place in La Vega, Dominican Republic, and is now co-developing the 2024 SHPE’d Abroad Program which will be taking place in Quepos, Costa Rica — exposing high school students to engineering using a hands-on robotics curriculum focusing on the usage of Arduinos. Gabriela remains in the same Core Board position and is currently co-founding a second high school SHPE Jr. Chapter for teaching about STEM in Detroit. 

CEW+ celebrates Gabriela’s passion and names her an Irma M. Wyman Scholar.