It’s roughly 2,000 miles from Utuado, Puerto Rico, to College Station, Texas — a distance measured not just in miles, but in culture, opportunity and ambition. For Yahirnitza Leytzali Torres Cruz, the journey was just the beginning of a path that would take her from being a curious high school student to a leader in Texas A&M’s chemistry department.
A first-generation college student, Torres Cruz didn’t always see herself in a lab coat. Growing up in Killeen, Texas, after leaving Puerto Rico, she struggled with chemistry in high school. But after her sophomore class, something clicked.
“I had to work harder to understand the concepts, and in doing so, I fell in love with chemistry,” she said. “It felt like unlocking a whole new way of seeing the world.”
Her choice to attend Texas A&M was almost serendipitous. At a Science National Honors Association meeting, representatives mentioned the university’s chemistry program.
Torres Cruz took a leap by choosing Texas A&M and soon found herself drawn into one of the nation’s leading inorganic chemistry programs, with research opportunities she couldn’t pass up.
By her first year, she was already working in a solid-state chemistry lab. Under the guidance of a graduate student mentor, she conducts experiments that range from synthesizing advanced materials to assembling and testing electrochemical cells. She also operates advanced instruments, including X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopes, to analyze materials at the atomic level.
“Research is about trial and error,” Torres Cruz said. “You fail a lot before you succeed. And it’s those failures that teach you the most.”
On campus, Torres Cruz serves as president of the Texas A&M chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS), connecting students with internships, research opportunities and community outreach events.
“I really enjoy being president because it gives me the chance to support other students,” Torres Cruz said. “Building a community where everyone can share opportunities and grow together has been one of the best parts of my college experience.”
Her favorite class remains organic chemistry, where she thrived under the challenge of complex molecular structures and visualization. Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in materials chemistry, followed by postdoctoral work and a career as a professor.
It may be more than 2,000 miles from Utuado to College Station, but for Yahirnitza Torres Cruz, the journey proves that one bold step can lead to a lifetime of discovery.