Tatiana Zhunio Cardenas, a doctoral student in the Department of Civil Engineering specializing in structural engineering and structural mechanics, is one of the international graduate students featured by the Graduate School in celebration of International Education Week (IEW), taking place November 19–21, 2025. Each November, IEW recognizes the importance of international education and cultural exchange, highlighting how students from around the world enrich university communities across the United States.
Born and raised in Cuenca, Ecuador’s third-largest city, Zhunio Cardenas grew up surrounded by the beauty of the Andes. Her hometown lies in a green valley flanked by mountains and known for its mild, ever-changing weather. “Just like in Wisconsin, if someone says they don’t like the weather, just tell them to wait ten minutes and it will change,” she said. Cuenca is also close to Cajas National Park, famous for its lakes and mist-covered forests.
Family and friends have always been central to her life. Growing up, she lived with her parents and brother but was also deeply connected to her extended family, with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins nearby. Among them, her cousin Kathy holds a special place–just one month and one day older, the two have shared a lifelong friendship that began in high school.
Ecuador’s rich cultural and ecological diversity left a lasting impression on Zhunio Cardenas. Her grandfather worked as an artisan crafting the iconic “Panama hats,” which actually originated in Ecuador and gained fame when President Theodore Roosevelt wore one during the construction of the Panama Canal. The country’s diversity is reflected in its food as well, and her favorite home-cooked dish is seco de pollo, a comforting chicken stew that reminds her of family and home.
While her childhood was marked by bouts of illness and hospital stays due to severe allergies, those challenges shaped her resilience and curiosity. “It was difficult to accept that I was not able to do what other kids were doing,” she said, “but it helped me grow up in other aspects, forcing me to be curious and learn things for myself.” That time nurtured her love for reading and taught her to value independence and perseverance.
Her academic path began early. In Ecuador, high school students choose their academic focus by age 14, and Zhunio Cardenas chose STEM, leading her toward civil engineering at Universidad de Cuenca, the largest university in southern Ecuador. The program was rigorous—of the 120 students who began with her, only 30 graduated—but she thrived in the demanding environment.
When she began exploring graduate programs in the United States, she was drawn to Marquette University’s reputation for strong research in structural engineering. “The Chicago area is well known for being at the forefront of structural engineering development,” she explained. “Marquette seemed to be giving me everything I was looking for in my graduate school goals, small class sizes, individualized attention, and accessible faculty.”
Now working under the supervision of Dr. Qindan Huang, Zhunio Cardenas is developing probabilistic degradation models to assess the risk of failure in pipelines that transport gas and hazardous liquids across the United States. Her research helps ensure the safety and reliability of infrastructure, which are fundamental components of modern society.
At Marquette, she has found community and peace in both her workspace and the campus environment. Her favorite study spot is her lab office in Engineering Hall, where she enjoys watching sunsets from the third floor. She also treasures the serenity of the Joan of Arc Chapel, which she describes as “a little house on the mountains of Switzerland.”
Beyond research, Zhunio Cardenas is active in campus life and values the friendships she has formed through programs like Ignite. “I didn’t want to isolate myself and find a community only like myself,” she said. “I’ve made close friends from South Asia and South Africa, and although our cultures are different, our struggles and fears are similar.”
For new international students, her advice is to seek out community and connection. “You might not need help finding an apartment, but finding a sense of belonging can be the hardest thing to achieve,” she said. One way to build that connection is by exploring the spaces that help foster community such as the Graduate School’s International Student Peer Support program, which matches incoming international students with current graduate international students to make the transition smoother. “If you decide to study in a country that allows you to meet people from all over the world, take advantage of that and learn from it,” she added. You might find a friend from a place very different from where you grew up, but if you keep your home close to your heart and immerse yourself in the experience, your personal growth will expand beyond the classroom. Maybe personal and academic growth are related, complementing each other.
Through her academic excellence, cultural pride, and openness to new experiences, Tatiana Zhunio Cardenas embodies the spirit of International Education Week and the global values that Marquette University celebrates.
