Scholar Profile

Joshua Figueroa

Voted Most Likely To:

Graduated:
University of Delaware, Class of 2000
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ph.D.

Currently Working As:
Professor, University of California, San Diego

What do you love about your job?
Unquestionably conducting research - creating new molecules, solving puzzles, putting atoms together in fun and unusual ways, encountering the unexpected.

What has been the most exciting part of your career so far?
Also unquestionably research and also having the opportunity to travel and meet others who are similarly awed by molecules, their make up and their behavior.

What would you tell yourself at age 18?
All that focus you have, that's good. Keep it up.

How has ACS Scholars impacted your life and career?
The ACS scholars program had a very big impact when I was a young student. It afforded a significant amount of financial breathing room for my family and I. It also made me realize that continued hard work and focus could create more opportunities to further my studies and, ultimately, my career. It was truly the initial catalyst on my trajectory as a professional chemist.