Yonatan Aviles is a dedicated student in the Civil & Coastal Engineering Department at the University of Florida. As a first-generation college student from Stuart, Florida, He is pioneering a path for his family, driven by a profound work ethic and discipline that he honed from a young age. Being the son of immigrants who arrived with limited education, he deeply understand the value of perseverance and seizing opportunity. This perspective fuels his commitment as a student research assistant, where he applies his tenacity and meticulous approach to tackling complex challenges in concrete and materials science. “I am not just building a career; I am building a legacy of knowledge and resilience.”