Joan Graniela Ramirez is an undergraduate sophomore student at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, where she is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering with a focus on sustainable optimization. As a scholar of The Leadership Alliance First Year Early Identification program, she conducted research at Brown University in 2023, studying the behavior of bubble shapes and velocity changes in viscous and viscoelastic fluids.

Her passion lies in optimizing systems in a sustainable manner and fostering a community of practice that positively contributes to the future of our community and the planet. She serves as president of "Colegiales Contra la Contaminación," a student association focused on creating environmental awareness through outreach and community projects. Additionally, she serves as an undergraduate mentor for an NSF grant in sustainable engineering, where she creates activities to promote a community of practice and advocates for creating the first sustainability degree in Puerto Rico.

Having the opportunity to witness the commitment and action taken by the Leadership Alliance, Joan aims to pursue a PhD in sustainable engineering and is committed to contributing to more inclusive and diverse research spaces.