Meet our staff

SURF Professional & Graduate Staff

A picture of Luz: she has short hair just below her ears and is smiling. She is wearing a white and blue floral shirt and a beige suit jacket.


Luz M. Jiménez Ruvalcaba Ph.D. (she/her)
Dr. Jiménez Ruvalcaba is Associate Director for Student Success and Engagement and SURF Program Director at Stanford Engineering. She is passionate about creating opportunities for authentic connection and removing barriers to access for historically underrepresented students. A first-generation and low-income student, Dr. Jiménez Ruvalcaba is a former high school teacher and holds a PhD in Modern Thought and Literature from Stanford University. In her free time, Luz watches basketball, talks to her plants, reads good fiction, and cuddles with her orange cat Cheto. Born in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, México, she is from Inglewood, CA.  

A picture of Yamilé: Her dark hair falls behind her shoulders and she smiles softly as she looks into the camera. She is wearing a white button-down blouse and a black suit jacket. Behind her is soft summer afternoon light.

Yamilé Cornejo Carrillo (she/her)
Yamilé is a second-year PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering and Program Coordinator for this year's SURF cohort. As a former SURFie (SURF '22), she understands the transformative potential of the program and is excited to help shape that experience for others. With a deep commitment to personal and academic growth, Yamilé aims to create a supportive space where fellows can thrive and build lasting relationships. When she's not in the lab, Yamilé loves reading classical literature, playing volleyball, discovering new coffee shops and restaurants, and perfecting her embroidery techniques.

A headshot of Yamilet: Her soft brown curls fall past her shoulders. She smiles warmly as she looks into the camera. She is wearing a black turtleneck blouse and a beige suit jacket.

Yamilet M. Rivera Cintrón (she/her)
Yamilet M. is a PhD student in Chemical Engineering at Stanford University. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she aspires to one day return as a professor to not only teach but inspire students at her alma mater, the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez—just as she once was. As Resident Fellow for the 2025 SURF cohort, Yamilet is eager to help every SURFie feel supported and cared for throughout each stage of the summer program. Having received great support during her own undergraduate journey, she sees her participation in SURF as a meaningful way to give back to the undergrad community and guide students toward the paths they dream of pursuing.