From Boxes To Breakthroughs
Texas Tech Health El Paso Students Transform Unused High School Lab into State-of-the-Art Learning Space
Graduate students lead effort to turn $1M in idle equipment into a hands-on STEM hub for El Paso teens
When Texas Tech Health El Paso graduate students Alejandra Muñoz and Briana Olivares discovered that Del Valle High School had more than a million dollars’ worth of unused laboratory equipment sitting in boxes, they discovered an opportunity.
Both Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences students experienced the same disappointment in their own high schools: funded equipment that never reached students. This time, they were determined to change the narrative into a positive one.
From Vision to Action
That spark ignited in February during a Texas Tech Health El Paso conference for high schoolers. There, Alyssa Benavides, Ph.D., M.P.A., managing director of Interprofessional Education and Community Health Outreach at Texas Tech Health El Paso, revealed that Del Valle’s equipment had gone unused due to staffing changes. It was also revealed that the high school had funding by the Tigua Tribal Community, Texas Workforce Commission and UTEP.
Within a week, Muñoz and Olivares volunteered to lead the lab setup, design safety training and establish a sustainable mentorship program.
"A week later, both Alejandra and Briana reached out to me," said Dr. Benavides. "They weren't just offering to help for an afternoon. They wanted to lead the entire lab setup, create comprehensive safety training programs, and build a sustainable mentorship system that would keep giving back to our community."
Backed by a U.S. Department of Defense STEM Ambassador grant, the pair joined the Graduate Student Association and community partners to turn an empty space into a fully equipped lab over Spring Break. The program now pairs high school students with mentors from the Foster School of Medicine, Hunt School of Nursing, Hunt School of Dental Medicine, Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and UTEP’s School of Pharmacy to guide research projects and explore biomedical and healthcare careers.
Lasting Impact and Future Vision
In May, Texas Tech Health El Paso celebrated the milestone with a showcase event at Del Valle High School, attended by leadership, faculty, staff, students and community partners. Guests included Dr. Rick Lange, Dr. Wendy Woodall, Dr. Jene Hurlbut, Dr. Gloria Loera, Dr. John Harrell, Dr. Herber-Valdez, and sponsors Dr. Marcos Ortega and Dr. Benavides. District leaders joined as Del Valle biomedical sciences students cut the ribbon, unveiled a commemorative plaque and led tours demonstrating their new skills.
“This isn’t just about science,” said Dr. Benavides. “It’s about showing students what’s possible when someone believes in them and provides the tools to succeed.”
The program’s impact is immediate: next year, students will present original research at science fairs—moving from never having touched professional lab equipment to leading their own experiments in under 12 months. The mentorship model is designed to continue annually, expanding STEM opportunities across Ysleta ISD.
“What began as two students determined to prevent wasted potential has grown into a lasting community partnership,” said Dr. Ortega. “It’s proof of what happens when students identify a need and take action to create change.”
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 counties in West Texas and is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.
Focusing on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,600 professionals since 2013, including its first cohort of dental graduates in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.