2022-23 President's Scholars

Jose Ortiz

Mark Aldrich President’s Scholar

Major: Computer Information Systems: Business Intelligence

College of Business Administration

University Programs: Kellogg Honors College; FAST: Blockchain Club through the Office of Undergraduate Research 

Jose Ortiz sees data science as a way to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. The first in his family to go to college, Jose discovered his talents for computer programming at Pasadena City College, earning three A.A. degrees and certification in software development. His studies shifted to how machine learning and big data can help cure diseases after his mother was diagnosed with dementia. As one of her caregivers and the proud father of a 14-year-old son, Jose is dedicated to pursuing a career to improve their lives and plans to earn advanced degrees to continue research in academia. In Professor Glenn Kageyama’s lab, Jose has discovered that applied learning enhances his classroom learning, where he can “dive deep, explore and experiment.” After graduation, Jose hopes to “deliver tangible research to the community so it can grow, build upon and be one step closer to preventing others from suffering from this insidious condition. This would be my way to repay my mother’s lasting and important counsel to me that education matters.”