Maxfield-Oshman Professor in Engineering and University Professor, Rice University

Dr. Richard Tapia is a world-renowned mathematician specializing in optimization. He holds the title of University Professor—the highest academic rank at Rice University, awarded to only ten individuals in its history. He also serves as a professor in the Department of Computational Applied Mathematics and Operations Research, where he has taught for over 50 years. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Tapia has received numerous honors for his contributions to STEM and his advocacy for education and diversity. In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded him the National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest honor for scientists and engineers.

Dr. Tapia was born in Los Angeles to parents who emigrated from Mexico for educational opportunities. He became the first in his family to attend college, and he received his bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees from UCLA.

One of Dr. Tapia's most important messages to students is "Sí, se puede," which means "Yes, you can." He encourages anyone interested in STEM to follow their passions, take relevant classes, and believe that they, too, belong in the STEM community.