100 Stanford Engineering 1925–2025. A Century of Discovery, Innovation, and Impact

Meet our staff

SURF Professional & Graduate Staff

A picture of Luz: she has short hair just below her ears and is smiling. She is wearing a white and blue floral shirt and a beige suit jacket.


Luz M. Jiménez Ruvalcaba, PhD (she/her)
Dr. Jiménez Ruvalcaba is Associate Director for Graduate Outreach and Recruitment and SURF Program Director. She is passionate about creating opportunities for authentic connection and removing barriers to access for historically underrepresented students. Formerly a first-generation and low-income student herself, Dr. Jiménez Ruvalcaba began her career as a high school English teacher and holds a PhD in Modern Thought and Literature from Stanford University. In her free time, Luz watches basketball, reads good fiction, and cultivates her skills as a boba connoisseur across the Bay Area. Born in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, México, she is from Inglewood, CA. 

A headshot of Yamilet: Her soft brown curls fall past her shoulders. She smiles warmly as she looks into the camera. She is wearing a black turtleneck blouse and a beige suit jacket.

Yamilet M. Rivera Cintrón (she/her)
Yamilet M. is a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at Stanford University. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she aspires to one day return as a professor to not only teach but inspire students at her alma mater, the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez—just as she once was. As course assistant for SURF 2026, Yamilet is eager to help every SURFie feel supported and cared for throughout each stage of the summer program. Having received great support during her own undergraduate journey, she sees her participation in SURF as a meaningful way to give back to the undergrad community and guide students toward the paths they dream of pursuing.