Robie Gold Medals

Patrick Tanori Quintero is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a double minor in Spanish and human development and family sciences. As a first-generation Hispanic student from Tucson, he has devoted his time at the University of Arizona to fostering an inclusive and supportive academic environment through research, mentorship and community engagement. 

During his undergraduate studies, Patrick contributed to three research projects: the Child Cognition Lab, which examines language acquisition in infants; the Nexus Lab, which studies social support in student-teacher relationships in middle schools; and the Shades of Identity Study, which explores racial and cultural identity in college students. 

Beyond research, Patrick has been dedicated to student and community support. As a College of Science Ambassador, he helped connect prospective students with research and academic resources. As a LifeSTEP mentor in the Department of Psychology, he provided individualized support to youth facing behavioral and social challenges, reinforcing his commitment to mental health accessibility for underrepresented youth. 

One of Patrick's greatest support systems at the University of Arizona was the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. Under the mentorship of assistant professor of practice and McNair Program Director Caitlin Rosario Kelly, he conducted independent research and presented his findings at six national and local conferences. 

This fall, Patrick will begin a joint doctoral program in clinical and developmental psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. His research will focus on how educational resilience buffers the effects of poly-victimization on adolescent mental health and how trauma-informed interventions shape long-term academic and psychological outcomes for Latine youth and families. 

Patrick's achievements have been recognized through multiple honors, including the Adrienne G. and Amy "Jace" Hurley Scholarship, awarded to first-generation, high-achieving psychology students at the University of Arizona. He has also received the Hispanic Alumni Club Scholarship and the Ánimo Award for his academic excellence, research contributions, and dedication to the Hispanic community. 

Committed to dismantling barriers in education and mental health, Patrick strives to ensure that research, policy and practice work together to empower underrepresented communities for generations to come. 

Aaliyah Thompson-Mazzeo is graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and minors in dance, mathematics and biomedical engineering. Originally from Irvine, California, Aaliyah quickly made a home for herself in Wildcat country. 

Dance has always been a major part of her life. When faced with the difficult decision between pursuing a career in dance or engineering, Aaliyah left her dreams of being a professional dancer to find a bigger purpose. With a renewed vision, she dove headfirst into immersing herself in her community. 

Aaliyah took engineering leadership positions in Engineering Student Council and the National Society of Black Engineers. As director of social and outreach and then president of ESC, she led large-scale events like Engineers Week and the Engineers' Ball, oversaw the council when hosting the Western Regional Conference for the National Association of Engineering Student Councils, and introduced a community service executive position to recenter ESC around building community internally and in Tucson. As programs chair for NSBE, she organized study sessions and networking forums to connect Black engineers on campus. Aaliyah also volunteered at STEM outreach events such as SARSEF Arizona STEM Adventure and MESA Day as well as provided free tutoring at Imago Dei Middle School and mentored high school girls through the Society of Women Engineers. Additionally, Aaliyah is a tour guide for Arizona Ambassadors and a former member of Links Junior Honorary, where she served as apparel chair and selections chair. 

Although she didn't pursue a dance major, Aaliyah didn't give up her dreams of dancing in college and made the Arizona Pomline her sophomore year. She has been a dancer for the Arizona Pomline and the Sudler Trophy-winning Pride of Arizona Marching Band and has performed at countless athletics events and university affairs as well as volunteered in the Tucson community for Love of Reading week and the Ronald McDonald House. 

Currently, Aaliyah serves as vice president of Bobcat Senior Honorary, where she helped organize Homecoming, engaged students on Giving Day, and is currently planning Alumni Weekend and the Pinning Ceremony for the next class of outstanding Bobcats. Also in her senior year, Aaliyah focused her time on research. As a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, she works as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Andrew Fuglevand's lab, where she investigates noninvasive methods to control a robotic arm for rehabilitation methods for high-level tetraplegics.  

Aaliyah's dedication and leadership have earned her numerous honors during her time at the University of Arizona. She has won more than $100,000 in scholarships, including the Giuè Family Scholarship, the William and Marguerite Hesketh Scholarship, the Gary W. Harper Mechanical Engineering Scholarship, and the NAACP Tucson Black Excellence Scholarship. She was also a member of the inaugural cohort of a Black Excellence Scholars in the W.A. Franke Honors College and is a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. 

Aaliyah is deeply grateful for the opportunities and support she has received at the University of Arizona and looks forward to the next chapter in her academic and professional journey. She is excited to share that she will be attending Johns Hopkins University in the fall as a Vivien Thomas Scholar to pursue her doctorate in biomedical engineering. Aaliyah's passion for biomedical engineering stems from her experiences with dance injuries, and she hopes to develop innovative treatments for nerve and spinal cord injuries and prosthetic development, combining her engineering expertise with her love for movement.