Melissa García Hernández, a Chemical Engineering graduate and member of the Process Systems Engineering Lab, has been selected as a finalist for the 2025 Best Thesis Award, a distinction granted by the Mexican Society of Operations Research. 

The announcement was made official by the SMIO Prize Committee, which reviewed high-quality theses from across the country. Each work was evaluated by two to three external experts, and Melissa's thesis stood out for its academic rigor and significant contributions, earning her a place among the finalists.

As part of this recognition, Melissa has been awarded a registration scholarship to present her thesis at the XIII Mexican Society of Operations Research Congress in León, Guanajuato. There, she will deliver a 20-minute oral presentation of her research in the special finalist session (Phase 2 of the competition). The organizing committee has also granted her an accommodation scholarship to support her participation.

The Premio SMIO highlights outstanding and innovative research that contributes to solving complex industrial and societal challenges. This recognition not only celebrates Melissa's academic excellence, but also reflects the growing impact of the Process Systems Engineering Lab at UACH, which focuses on advancing sustainable process and systems optimization for Mexico's energy transition and circular economy.