KINGSVILLE (February 28, 2024) — John-Ryan Lawrence is a junior electrical engineering major at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. He recently was selected to represent the university and the Student Ambassador Program at the American Physical Society (APS) Annual Leadership Meeting.
The Student Ambassador Program is a group of about 80 top physics and engineering students from over 20 countries who serve as leaders in their universities, countries or communities of students who may not have an APS student chapter. Texas A&M-Kingsville does not have an APS student chapter.
“As one of the lead ambassadors, I serve as a mentor to new ambassadors and as an advisor to existing ambassadors,” Lawrence said.
The conference was held in Washington D.C. and as part of the planned activities, Lawrence accompanied the Texas Section leaders to Capitol Hill to advocate for legislation on behalf of the APS that would
- increase federal research funding to entities like the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
- increase graduate student stipends;
- provide for research in quantum technology; and
- create a pathway to citizenship for international students studying in the United States.
“The student ambassadors and leaders from APS student chapters were present at the conference to serve as the students’ voice to not only the leadership of the APS and its subordinate divisions, but also to the presidents of the physics societies from Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina and Chile and the chair of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics,” Lawrence said.
“My fellow lead ambassador and I led professional development sessions for student ambassadors and student chapter leaders that covered topics like local activities, collaboration with sister societies and institutions and research and community engagement,” he added.
While at the conference, Lawrence accepted an offer to become an editor for the Journal of the International Association of Physics Students.
Back at home, Lawrence is involved in a multitude of student, community and professional organizations, including being an officer in the Engineering Student Council, the American Chemical Society and the American Nuclear Society. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
He also helps run an organization at Academy High School called Civil Air Patrol. Lawrence is a 2020 graduate of Tuloso-Midway High School in Corpus Christi.
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