The MPHD program was established by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in 1995 to assist efforts to diversify the U.S. Ph.D. degree-holding workforce by increasing the recruitment, retention, and graduation of underrepresented minority doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The MPHD program is managed by National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME).

Garay has been selected for this award based on his academic records, prior awards, and current research. He received his B.S. degree in physics and electrical engineering from Florida International University and M.S. in ECE from the University of Florida. Garay joined the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech in 2015. He is currently a Ph.D. student in the Georgia Tech Electronics and Micro-System Lab (GEMS) directed by Hua Wang, who holds the Demetrius T. Paris Junior Professorship. Garay’s Ph.D. research focuses on zero-power RF/mm-wave signal processing and multi-functional digital transmitter systems for next-generation radar and 5G wireless communication. He received the Georgia Tech Presidential Fellowship in 2015 as the highest honor for new graduate students accepted to the Ph.D. programs at Georgia Tech.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a philanthropic, not-for-profit grant-making institution based in New York City. The foundation was established in 1934 by Alfred Pritchard Sloan, Jr., then-President and Chief Executive Officer of the General Motors Corporation. The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation believes that a carefully reasoned and systematic understanding of the forces of nature and society, when applied inventively and wisely, can lead to a better world for all.  The Foundation supports original research and broad-based education related to science, technology, and economic performance; and to improve the quality of American life.