18-year-old Peruvian admitted to Dartmouth College for STEM research

Alejandro Moquillaza, an 18-year-old Peruvian, has earned a place at Dartmouth College, a prestigious Ivy League institution in the United States, following a distinguished path in STEM engineering and scientific research. His journey began in Lima but saw him move to Arequipa at age two due to a respiratory condition, where he completed his schooling.

Moquillaza's passion for engineering ignited during a rocketry competition, sparking his fascination with machinery and construction. He founded Yashihuasi, a social initiative through which he taught approximately 100 children in Arequipa how to build and launch rockets using recycled bottles and water. His research also gained international attention, leading to the publication of a study on Peruvian lithium's potential in aerospace applications in the Harvard International Review, where he received a silver medal.

His academic achievements were further highlighted by his presentation of findings at the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney. Moquillaza will pursue his studies at Dartmouth College with the support of the Beca Cometa scholarship from Intercorp, which covers his full tuition, living expenses, and travel costs to the U.S.