Senior Named Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar

Carnegie Mellon University senior Riley Santiago has been named a recipient of the prestigious Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), an honor that recognizes outstanding academic performance and leadership potential in students of Hispanic heritage. As Riley prepares to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and minors in Biomedical Engineering and Hispanic Studies, we sat down to learn more about his journey, passions and aspirations.

Congratulations on being selected as an HSF Scholar! What does this recognition mean to you?

Thank you—I’m incredibly grateful! Being named an HSF Scholar has proven to me that my background and identity are something to be embraced and celebrated. As someone who grew up in an interracial household in a predominantly homogenous area, I often struggled with the idea that I had to choose one aspect of my heritage to present. This award affirms that my experiences and sub-identities are integral to who I am. I’m excited to connect with others through the HSF community—people who share similar backgrounds and values—and to continue learning about culture, language and identity in ways that will ultimately inform my future career in medicine.

Your academic journey at CMU is impressive. What inspired your interest in medicine and research?

My earliest inspiration came from my parents—my father, who was of Puerto Rican and Venezuelan descent and worked as a nurse practitioner, and my mother, who is of French and Polish descent and was a specialized therapist. From them, I learned the importance of medicine and human connection. When my father underwent a heart and double-lung transplant after struggling with truncus arteriosus type four, and later passed away from a pulmonary embolism, it deeply shaped my understanding of the value of medical care. That experience, along with growing up alongside my older brother who suffers from chronic immunological deficiencies, sparked my interest in the immune system and ultimately led me to research in cancer and immunology in Dr. En Cai’s lab.

You’ve also been involved in civic and cultural activities. Can you tell us more about that?

Joining Juntos: Creating Ties during my first year at CMU was life-changing. It’s a student organization that develops civic engagement projects in Pittsburgh and abroad, including the Dominican Republic. In that space, I met individuals who celebrated all aspects of their heritage, and it helped me do the same. I also credit the Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics’ Hispanic Studies program with giving me the historical and cultural context to better understand my background. Through coursework and conversations with fellow Tartan Scholars, I learned that my identity is a composite of many sub-identities, and that connecting with others through those shared experiences is powerful and validating.

What’s next for you after graduation?

I am currently weighing my employment options as a clinical research technician. During the next application cycle, I plan to apply to MD/PhD programs in pursuit of a career as a physician scientist. I hope to continue research in molecular cell immunology, cancer biology, translational immunology and pathology—areas that have grown from my work in Dr. Cai’s lab. I’m also really passionate about education. Working as a Peer Tutor and a TA in the Undergraduate Biology Labs has shown me how much I enjoy building inclusive learning environments, and I’d love to pursue teaching at the collegiate level later in my career.

What advice would you give to other Hispanic students navigating higher education?

I’d share three key values that have guided me: tact, patience and communication. It’s important to actively research opportunities and make thoughtful decisions along the way. Achievements take time, so practicing patience and staying persistent is essential. And don’t underestimate the value of mentorship and dialogue. Many of the opportunities I’ve received have been shaped by conversations with others who offered support, guidance and different perspectives. Surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed—it makes all the difference.