Dr. Robert Fernandez Joins Surviving The Law LIVE!

This year, the story of a young undocumented student navigating higher education appeared in Surviving The Law under a pseudonym. This September, that story will finally have a name and a face.

Dr. Robert W. Fernandez, Founder and Executive Director of Científico Latino, Inc., is stepping forward to publicly share his journey as part of Surviving The Law LIVE! on September 25, 2025.

Fernandez was born in Lima, Peru, and raised in New Jersey, where he began his education at UCNJ Community College before transferring to York College, CUNY. For two decades, he lived as an undocumented immigrant, navigating college and career decisions under the weight of uncertainty about his legal status. Throughout those years, mentors played a critical role in helping him persist — a lesson that has deeply shaped his commitment to mentorship today.

That commitment is now at the heart of Científico Latino, Inc., the nonprofit Fernandez founded to support students from historically excluded backgrounds in pursuing careers in science. Through mentorship programs, application support, and community-building, Científico Latino has become a powerful force in reshaping access to the sciences for underserved communities.

Fernandez’s academic path eventually led him to Yale University, where he earned a PhD in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. Along the way, he has been recognized with numerous honors, including the PD Soros Fellowship, a place on the list of 100 Inspiring Hispanic/Latinx Scientists in America, and selection as a 2024–2025 Obama USA Leader.

When Surviving The Law was published, Fernandez chose to remain anonymous. But now, at Surviving The Law LIVE!, he will publicly reclaim his story. For the first time, audiences will hear directly from the man behind the pseudonym, as he reflects on what it means to move from invisibility to visibility and why he continues to fight for students walking the path he once did.

The webinar will feature Fernandez, author and immigration attorney Jose Campos, and several other Fellows, each offering powerful insights on navigating higher education while undocumented.

Reserve your free spot for Surviving The Law LIVE! on September 25th at 7:00 PM ET here: https://forms.gle/C3MF8uoN2tNZi3aw9.