As a Chicana from Northern New Mexico, Jaylene has听had to overcome situations which she听had no control over, especially coming from a community of high drug and alcohol abuse. Jaylene comes from听a large family in which makes living away from home difficult, yet at the same time encourages her听to finish what she听started. Jaylene says, "Being a first-generation college student taught me to keep my听head up and finish strong." Jaylene graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico; she is now pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and loves the research involved. Jaylene听would love to be a role model for other young underrepresented students studying science who may or may not have the same upbringing as herself.
Jaylene acted as graduate mentor to Kaitlin Mazotti.听