Posted on May 15, 2026 by College of Sciences
#ThisIsWhatAScientistLooksLike
Marissa Martinez, Mathematics M.S. Student
Commencement Story
By Christina Calvo
Meet Marissa Martinez '26, a San Antonio native and a graduate student completing her M.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Mathematics Education at UT San Antonio this May. She is also a part of the math education team at UT San Antonio as a graduate teaching assistant (GTA) level II and has a newfound passion in researching pedagogy.
Marissa's passion for education began when she was in high school while volunteering at a biology summer camp for children.
"Seeing the recognition and understanding cross a student's mind and seeing their pride in their own work has always been one of my favorite parts of teaching." Marissa said.
Marissa received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from The University of the Incarnate Word before she became a Roadrunner. After being accepted to UT San Antonio, she became a GTA level I. She then advanced to becoming a GTA level II. Marissa credits her professors Jessica Gehrtz, PhD, and Priya Prasad, PhD, for their mentorship and pushing her to achieve her goals.
"They pushed me to take the promotion to GTA II, to submit a poster to the RUME [Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education] conference, and to apply to PhD programs," said Marissa. "Sometimes they did this by explicitly encouraging me and sometimes it was quiet encouragement or them offering support."
Along with teaching, Marissa has expanded her knowledge by becoming a research assistant for Gerhtz at UT San Antonio. While assisting Gehrtz, Marissa gained formal research experience and built a foundation of knowledge about teaching STEM. She had spent time analyzing different teaching strategies in a math classroom and their effectiveness.
"The purpose was to identify how much of mathematics class time was taken up by the traditional lecture as opposed to a more hands-on approach to mathematics." Marissa explained.
Marissa's time with the College of Sciences has helped her grow as both an educator and a researcher. In February of 2026, Marissa had the opportunity to present her thesis at the RUME conference in Virginia.
"I love that it not only focused on math content but also taught me how to be a researcher in academia. I had no prior research experience before starting this program but now with the knowledge I have gained, I feel confident in my ability and excited for my PhD."
Marissa hopes to inspire future Roadrunners to pursue their goals by getting to know the community they wish to be a part of. She encourages others to make connections with professors and students.
"For students looking to apply to my program, I would say to reach out to current professors in the department," Marissa said. "They can connect you to on-campus events and current students so you can get an idea of what it is like to be a student here before you even apply. It shows the faculty you care and are excited to join the community."
After graduation, Marissa will be at The University of Texas Austin pursuing her PhD on STEM Education. She plans to continue teaching and researching to help people have a better understanding and relationship with mathematics.
— College of Sciences
Explore the Mathematics Department!
Dedicated to research, high-quality instruction, and community engagement that embraces excellence by empowering its undergraduate and graduate students, especially those from backgrounds underrepresented in the mathematical sciences.
Recent Mathematics Spotlights
View More Spotlights
