“When one woman advances, we all advance”: Areli Almaraz Medina

By Enrique Soto | Photos: Israel Vera and Jorge Aguilar

A recent graduate of the Escuela Superior de Ingeniería y Arquitectura (ESIA) at the Tecamachalco Unit, Beu Shaibah Velázquez Valenzuela has emerged as a young leader committed to opening pathways for future generations of women in fields historically dominated by men.

A descendant of Maya and Zapotec cultures—her parents are originally from Comalcalco, Tabasco, and Juchitán, Oaxaca—Velázquez combines cultural pride with academic excellence. She holds a degree in Architectural Engineering from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) and was awarded first place in the 2nd Sustainable Projects Competition Cumbre Imagen 2025. Beyond her academic achievements, she has become a visible advocate for women pursuing careers in science, engineering, and architecture.

“11F is about a historical debt,” she says, referring to the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. “For many years, women have been silenced. It is essential that we remember those who paved the way in science so that our generation can continue moving forward.”

A Project Rooted in Heritage and Innovation

Velázquez’s award-winning capstone project was inspired by a deeply personal connection: her 84-year-old grandfather, a cacao farmer in Comalcalco who continues to cultivate the crop despite mounting environmental challenges. Motivated by the realities faced by families who depend on cacao production, she and her team designed a comprehensive, socially driven proposal that integrates scientific research, technological innovation, and the preservation of cultural and environmental heritage.

The project—titled Ka Kaú Taan (“Voice of Cacao” in Maya), Sustainable Greenhouses for Cacao Trees—addresses challenges in Balancán, Tabasco, where climate change and shifting generational priorities threaten cacao production. In 2025 alone, approximately 13,000 tons of cacao were reportedly lost due to climate-related impacts.

“We realized there was a social dimension to the problem,” she explains. “Young people are stepping away from cacao farming because they see it as a burden rather than an opportunity for growth. We propose to create a research facility that demonstrates how agriculture can work hand in hand with science and technology—while preserving tradition.”

The design incorporates an ancestral Maya agroforestry system, combining cacao cultivation with fruit trees that provide natural shade—essential protection for cacao plants, which cannot tolerate direct sunlight. For Velázquez, the project represents a convergence of family legacy, Indigenous knowledge, sustainability, and architectural innovation.

During the competition’s “Zona de Pitch”—a live presentation format similar to a venture capital showcase—Velázquez represented IPN against eight other universities, most of them private institutions. The judges recognized her team’s proposal as the most comprehensive, integrating social, cultural, environmental, technological, economic, and biodiversity protection components.

Breaking Barriers in Architecture

Velázquez acknowledges that, despite progress, structural barriers remain. Entering the professional field, she encountered persistent gender bias within engineering and architecture.

“There are still classrooms with only four women,” she says. “In engineering and architecture, you walk in, and most of the room is male. Even when women are highly qualified—when we pursue additional certifications and diplomas—there is still a tendency to hire men. There’s a perception that construction workers won’t listen to a woman architect. That stigma is very real, and it needs to be broken.”

Her own academic path began almost by chance. While many members of her family attended the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), proximity led her to enroll at IPN’s Centro de Estudios Científicos y Tecnológicos (CECyT) No. 11 “Wilfrido Massieu.” A secondary school workshop in architectural design ultimately guided her toward engineering and architecture.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Although she initially doubted the impact of her project, the IPN community rallied behind her during the competition, mobilizing votes and sending messages of encouragement. The experience transformed her perception of her own influence.

“Since then, I’ve received messages from girls at my school asking how I did it, what courses I took, and what specialization I chose. They tell me they’re proud of me,” she says. “For me, that is the most meaningful outcome. If my experience helps them envision a different future, then it has been worth it.”

Velázquez credits her mother’s words as a guiding force throughout her journey: perseverance in the face of adversity. “Life can be complicated,” her mother told her, “but with effort, you can keep moving forward.”

Through her work—both architectural and advocacy-driven—Beu Shaibah Velázquez embodies that conviction, demonstrating how cultural identity, scientific inquiry, and determination can converge to expand opportunities for women in science and design.