Joel Alejandro Mejia

Dr. Joel Alejandro (Alex) Mejia is an Associate Professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio. His work bridges engineering education and critical sociocultural theory, focusing on equity for Latinx and minoritized communities in engineering.

His research centers on dismantling deficit ideologies in engineering education through critical theoretical frameworks such as Borderlands Theory and Nepantla. He investigates how Latinx engineering students navigate cultural tensions, identity formation, and institutional barriers using testimonios as a methodology. His interests include culturally responsive pedagogies, critical consciousness, and expanding the sociocultural understanding of engineering practice.

Dr. Mejia was awarded the prestigious NSF CAREER Award in 2020 to support his work on consciousness-raising among Latinx engineers. This project, titled 'CAREER: Breaking the Tradition of Silence through Conocimiento and Consciousness Raising among Latinx Engineers,' underscores his commitment to transformative educational practices.

• NSF CAREER Award (2020), for project titled 'CAREER: Breaking the Tradition of Silence through Conocimiento and Consciousness Raising among Latinx Engineers'

Dr. Mejia's interdisciplinary approach involves advising and mentoring within engineering and bilingual/bicultural studies. While specific grants and advisees are not listed, his CAREER award indicates leadership in research and education integration. He contributes to advancing equity in engineering through curriculum development and critical research frameworks.

Though no specific labs or research teams are mentioned in the text, his joint appointment suggests active collaboration across engineering and social justice-oriented academic units, likely involving interdisciplinary research groups focused on equity, identity, and pedagogy in engineering education.