LPI Alum Alan Chung Ma ’20 Returns to Inspire Students
Lydia Patterson Institute was proud to welcome back alumnus Alan Chung Ma (Class of 2020) for a special visit with our students.
Alan grew up in Mexico with parents from China and Malaysia. He speaks English, Spanish, and Mandarin, and he shared how his multicultural background shaped his studies and career. After graduating from LPI, he attended Purdue University and earned his degree in 2023. While in college, he completed internships at Google and at a technology startup, which gave him real-world experience and the confidence to keep reaching higher.
Alan is now headed to Germany to continue his education through a master’s excellence program and PhD track at the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security, one of Europe’s top institutes for cybersecurity research.
During his talk, Alan spoke openly about growing up in our border community and discovering his voice at LPI. He explained how much discipline and curiosity it takes to succeed in STEM programs, the importance of taking smart risks, and the value of surrounding yourself with people who encourage you. He also shared what he would do differently and how students can learn from his experiences.
Our students asked him thoughtful questions about internships, research, language skills, and how to prepare now for opportunities in the future. Alan answered each question with clear and practical advice that students can put into action right away.
At the end of his visit, Mr. Galceran presented Alan with a Certificate of Appreciation and an LPI Alumni pin in recognition of his leadership and example.
We thank Alan for returning to LPI and sharing his journey. His story shows our students that with hard work, courage, and community support, the path from Lydia Patterson to world-class research is within reach. We are rooting for you Alan!!!
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If you are an LPI alum and would like to inspire and motivate our students, please contact Domingo Betancourt in the Communications Office or email lpi.development@lpi-elpaso.com.