Gates Cambridge Scholars demonstrate academic excellence, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and strong leadership potential.
Alexa (Ale) Uriostegui, AB ‘23, has been named a 2024 Gates Cambridge Scholar. The selective program covers the cost of a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge and includes funding for academic and professional development.
As a WashU undergraduate, Uriostegui majored in Latin American studies and Spanish. She was also a Gephardt Institute Goldman Fellow and a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow. Her research on social movements piqued her interest in the power of collective change.
“Many WashU professors shaped me into the scholar I am today,” she said. “Through their courses and mentorship, I was able to dive deeper into social movements and political philosophies.”
At Cambridge, she plans to pursue an MPhil in Latin American studies. Her research will center on anarcho-punks in Brazil and Mexico who use art and music to mobilize their subculture, align themselves with political movements, and educate their surrounding communities. In addition to her studies, she plans to collaborate with youth development organizations, local libraries, and museums to put her research into practice. After she earns her master’s degree, Uriostegui plans to pursue a doctorate in Latin American studies.
“This award will allow me to unearth and share stories of youth coming together to make a change in society,” she said. “The next generation will learn that young people can do something to address the inequalities that I experienced in my K-12 education.”
