InnoVaqueros
Innovaqueros are engineering students who infuse sustainability into their senior design projects showcasing innovative solutions for various challenges. Projects like "Ripple Effect," Mechanical Mesquite Bean Harvester, Shallow Oyster Farming System, and Design of a Bee Scale address global food shortages and beekeeping. These projects aim to develop affordable, maintainable solutions and empower the community to combat food scarcity while preserving sustainability efforts. Innovaqueros engineer sustainable solutions for sustainable development.
Dr. Vargas was integral in the revamping of the Mechanical Engineering Department curricula to promote Sustainable Innovation skills in undergraduate students. He also improved the Senior Design Project course experience for mechanical engineering students by including environmental considerations. Dr. Vargas also organized successful innovation challenges for engineering students. These “Innovaqueros” competitions focus on applying engineering skills to solve real community problems with sustainable solutions. He is the 2018 UTRGV Faculty Sustainability Excellence awardee for sustainability education.
