Elio Morillo

Born in the warm and vibrant city of Guayaquil, Ecuador in 1993, Elio Morillo's story unfurls like a rich tapestry woven with threads of resilience and boundless hope. At the age of 41, his mother cradled him in her arms, her heart filled with dreams blossoming in the face of adversity. In 1997, with Morillo’s hand tenderly nestled in hers, they escaped a sinking economy and an emotionally taxing relationship, venturing into the unknown terrains of New York. Amidst the shadows of skyscrapers, she traded her revered profession as an educator to clean offices, package food at JFK, and labor in factories, navigating an intricate mosaic of challenges and opportunities to carve a beacon of hope and prosperity for her son.

As the new millennium dawned, the warm embrace of family beckoned them to the vibrant rhythms of Puerto Rico. Amid the island’s resounding beats, Morillo's mother returned to the world of education, her passion for nurturing minds reigniting amidst the island’s vibrant hues. Here, Morillo embraced his “sazón, batería, and reggaetón,” a testament to the island's vibrant influence on his burgeoning spirit.

Despite facing the winds of adversity, from academic underestimation to systemic barriers, Morillo's intellectual flame blazed triumphantly, carving a luminary path from the vibrant classrooms of Puerto Rico to the prestigious corridors of the University of Michigan. His remarkable journey transcended terrestrial boundaries, ascending to the celestial realms of NASA's Perseverance Rover and the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, and Blue Origin's Human Landing System, where his pioneering contributions radiate as testaments to his exceptional skill, unwavering dedication, and the boundless potential that resides within every child of immigrants.

Embracing Morillo's cherished words, "si se pudo, si se puede, si se podrá" – it was possible, it is possible, it will be possible – let us unite in the harmonious cadence of his journey. A journey intricately interwoven with sacrifice, resilience, and the unwavering conviction that every dream, however distant, beckons us with open arms.