Lesly Rojas

Lesly Rojas was inspired to become an inventor by the power of human-centered design. Through the invention education programs of Oregon MESA and Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams (LMIT), she helped design a range of inventions — from a simple prosthetic arm and an adaptive cup for people with dysphagia, to a device to help agricultural workers harvest blueberries in her local community. 

It was at McKay High School in Salem, Oregon, where Lesly and her classmates developed the drinking cup to help people with swallowing disorders. 

Lesly first came up with the idea after hearing a presentation from a healthcare professional at a nursing home about a range of needs her patients had, including specialized cups to help residents who were having trouble swallowing. With the guidance of their teacher Katrina Hull, they applied for and won an InvenTeam grant from LMIT, which included a trip to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to present at the annual EurekaFest competition. 

These experiences cemented Rojas’s identity as an inventor and her interest in engineering. She is a first-generation college student pursuing Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science at Oregon State University, with internships ranging from the National Science Foundation to Medtronic and HP. She is also a powerful and committed STEM advocate, sharing her experiences to inspire students from underrepresented communities, testifying before the Oregon legislature, and even speaking at a U.S. Department of Education event on STEM for Hispanic Heritage Month.