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Show • *** AC N GINE E ..ING per ow- pat r BY LASY PHANTALANGSY/STAFF WRITER PHOTOS BY BRENT UBERTY I.phantalangsy@chronicle.utah.edu em Locquiao describes herself as determined, optimistic, and funny. Her unique name comes from the first letters of her brother's, father's, and mother's name (their names are Jed, Eduardo, and Marlene). Locquiao, a senior in civil engineering with an emphasis in water resources, was born in Honolulu, moved to Reno, Nev. when she was 8 years old, and transferred to the U two years ago. "I always had the desire to help others as well as my parents by doing some good and by making a difference in people's lives," Locquiao says. At the age of 21, Locquiao feels that she knows herself. Despite a tenuous relationship with her brotherJed — the two do not speak because of some differences — she says she strives to become better each day. One of her role models is her mother, whom she describes as an incredibly strong woman as well as a devoted and hard-working nurse. Her other role model is Amanda Bordelon, an engineering professor at the U who she believes is an example of a strong, intelligent, and accomplished woman in the engineering field. In addition to her classes, Locquiao is the president of the American Concrete Institute's U student chapter, one of the vice presidents of the American Society of Civil Engineers' U student chapter, and treasurer for Chi Epsilon, the civil engineering honors society at the U. She says her involvement in these groups helps her work toward her goal of working harder than her male counterparts and developing a strong voice as a woman in engineering. In high school, Locquiao wanted to go into medicine. She planned to get a double major in physics and French so she could be in involved in both science and humanities. However, as she learned more about herself, she found her path changing in front of her. "I realized I did not like blood, as well as other things," she says. "[I] changed my major to engineering so that I can help people with water and food access." She believes she can find ways to enhance food security, provide water resources, and study climate change — especially in Utah's arid environment. "Engineering can provide a gateway to many avenues of change," says Locquiao. As one of the few women in the field at the U, Locquiao says she feels that she has to do more to prove herself. j • 4 friday magazine |