Awesome Alum

Awesome Alum: Daniel Hinojosa

By Pelle Munoz

As a first-generation student, Daniel Hinojosa has always prioritized education. “[At UTSA], I learned to value information and knowledge, and the generation of knowledge,” he said. “No one can take that away from you.” He fondly recalls his mother’s role in his early love of chemistry. “I knew what an atom was from a very young age, thanks to an encyclopedia my mom brought home for me once,” Hinojosa said. “I know I could have excelled in any degree path, but chemistry was my most intuitive subject.”

“I tend to think about the universe on an atomic and molecular scale,” he said. “For me, to be human is to manipulate matter. I’m able to think like this because of my training during my undergraduate career.” His most memorable college experiences are in UTSA’s John Peace Library, where he recalls spending many late nights studying. “I used every resource I could find in the library,” he said. “It was basically my home for four years.” During his first semester at UTSA, Hinojosa met his fiance, Alejandra Lorenzen, at the library. “We’ve always supported each other, and we’ve grown so much together, first through college, and now through our careers.” After graduating in 2019 with his B.S. in chemistry with Highest Honors, Hinojosa set his sights on San Antonio’s Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). Hinojosa is now a scientist in the Pharmaceuticals and Bioengineering Department at SwRI. His job requires him to utilize his synthetic organic chemistry and computational chemistry skills. Hinojosa works in drug discovery and development, total synthesis, and expanding upon new technology by branching out into the realm of bioengineering and biophysical engineering. He hopes to eventually earn his Ph.D.

Hinojosa is grateful to his former undergraduate thesis professor, Stanton McHardy, who coaxed him into the world of organic chemistry and pharmaceuticals. Hinojosa says that his work with the McHardy group and the contributions of his professors and mentors played a crucial role in where he is today. “I’ve had a very productive and impactful career so far for someone at my level, as a direct result of my professors at UTSA.”

Like many UTSA students, Hinojosa spent much of his undergraduate time at the John Peace Library. I’ve had a very productive and impactful career so far for someone at my level, as a direct result of my professors at UTSA.