Oswaldo Artiles
Degree: Ph.D. in Physics
College/School: School of Integrated Science and Humanity; College of Arts, Sciences & Education
School of Integrated Science and Humanity
Growing up in Venezuela, Oswaldo Artiles always had a knack for science. He knew he wanted to be an engineer, like his father, and make meaningful contributions to society.
Oswaldo earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Universidad Central de Venezuela and a master’s in power systems analysis from the University of Manchester in the 1970s. He also earned a specialist’s degree in finance from Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administracion, Venezuela’s top business school, in 1996.
For 30 years, Oswaldo built a successful career at Electrificación del Caroní C.A. (EDELCA), Venezuela’s largest generator of electric energy. He rose through the ranks, working in a variety of engineering and management roles. In 1999, he became EDELCA’s president and helped reform and modernize the company in the midst of Venezuelan political and economic instability. In 2003, he retired from EDELCA but continued working as a consultant.
In 2005, Oswaldo and his wife immigrated to the U.S. A lifelong learner, Oswaldo earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Miami and a master’s degree in physics from FIU. His quest for knowledge did not stop there, setting his sights on a doctorate degree. Under physics professor Misak Sargsian, Oswaldo conducted and published research on the interaction between protons and neutrons at high momenta and energy. His work will help improve scientific theories and advance the understanding of natural phenomena.
At age 69, Oswaldo is graduating with a Ph.D. in physics. Vowing to continue learning until the last minute of his life, he wants to do theoretical research in nuclear physics and study computer science.