2022 HENAAC Awards

Education: Ph.D., Physics, University of Pennsylvania; Bachelor’s, Physics, Cornell University. 

When picking role models that exemplify your interests and aspirations as a kid, you can’t do much better than Mozart, Einstein and Gandhi.  Growing up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Mexican immigrant parents, it was those three geniuses that fueled young Justin Vazquez-Poritz’ passions for the cello and physics and personified his deep sense of responsibility to change lives for the better. 

Since being appointed Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at City Tech in 2015, Dr. Vazquez-Poritz has done just that.  In addition to coordinating and overseeing the activities of eight academic departments, he’s also the Principal Investigator of a National Science Foundation grant to improve research computing infrastructure at City Tech.

Among his many accomplishments includes the implementation of three new Bachelor of Science programs under his watch and guiding City Tech to the National Science Foundation’s top 10 ranking for the number of degrees awarded to Hispanic students over several years. He’s committed to increasing City Tech’s enrollment of underrepresented minorities, particularly those from New York’s five very diverse boroughs.

His record inside the classroom is equally impressive. “Professor” Vazquez-Poritz, as many still affectionately call him, taught physics courses at all levels, and lectured Ph.D. students at the CUNY Graduate Center.  He’s a prolific mentor, leaving a lasting impact on undergraduate students in research programs ranging from string theory to the mathematical aspects of black holes.  He’s also served as Director of Undergraduate Research, and he was instrumental in organizing and realizing City Tech’s Center for Theoretical Physics, now in its 12th year of existence.

In addition to his considerable accomplishments as an educator and administrator, Dr. Vázquez- Poritz is a world-class theoretical physicist who’s made tremendous contributions to the most advanced fields of physics, including quark physics, string theory, quantum field theory, and differential geometry, solidifying his outstanding international reputation amongst colleagues in his fields of research.