21 MEXICAN SCIENTISTS AND THEIR HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTIONS - SCIENCE - 2025

The Mexican scientists have made great contributions to humanity, starting with the ancient civilizations that developed mathematics, astronomy, calendars, and solved problems such as managing water for agriculture.

After the arrival of the Europeans, Mexico (then called New Spain) entered the sphere of Western science. In 1551 the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico was established, which for more than a century was the center of the country's intellectual development.

However, at the beginning of the 19th century, when Mexico was experiencing the War of Independence, scientific progress stagnated. Instead, during the Mexican Revolution, the country once again advanced in science and technology.

Already in the 20th century, universities such as the National Polytechnic Institute, the Monterrey Technological Institute and the National Autonomous University of Mexico were established in Mexico.

In 1960, science was institutionalized in Mexico, which was perceived as a valuable effort by Mexican society. In 1961, the Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute was established as a center for graduate studies in subjects such as biology, mathematics and physics.

Also in 1961, the institute began its graduate programs in physics and mathematics, and science schools were established in the Mexican states of Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Monterrey, Veracruz, and Michoacán. The Academy for Scientific Research was established in 1968 and the National Council for Science and Technology in 1971.

According to data provided by the World Bank, Mexico is currently the largest Latin American exporter of goods related to high technology (computers, pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments and electrical machinery) with 17% of the goods manufactured in 2012, according to the World Bank.

You may also be interested in meeting the most famous and important scientists in history.

Scientists from Mexico, discoveries and inventions

1- Luis Miramontes

The chemist Luis Miramontes invented the contraceptive pill. In 1951, the then student Miramontes was under the direction of George Rosenkranz, CEO of Syntex Corp, and researcher Carl Djerassi.

Miramontes invented a new procedure for the synthesis of the progestin norethindrone, the active ingredient in what would become the oral contraceptive pill. Carl Djerassi, George Rosenkranz, and Luis Miramontes received US Patent 2,744,122 for "Oral Contraceptives" on May 1, 1956. The first oral contraceptives marketed with Norinyl were manufactured by Syntex Corp.

2- Victor Celorio

Source: Mgallardo CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Victor Celorio patented the «Instabook Maker», a technology for the distribution of electronic books by means of the fast and elegant printing of an offline copy.

Victor Celorio was granted US Patents 6012890 and 6213703 for his invention. Celorio was born on July 27, 1957 in Mexico City and is the president of Instabook Corporation, based in Gainesville, Florida.

3- Guillermo González Camarena

Guillermo González Camarena invented the first color television system. He received US Patent 2296019 on September 15, 1942 for his "chromoscopic adapter for television sets."

González Camarena publicly displayed his color television with a broadcast on August 31, 1946. The color broadcast was broadcast directly from his laboratory in Mexico City.

4- Victor Ochoa

Victor Ochoa was a Mexican-American inventor. He is the inventor of a windmill, magnetic brakes, a wrench, and a reversible motor. His best known invention was the Ochoaplane, a small flying machine with folding wings.

The Mexican inventor was also a Mexican revolutionary: Ochoa offered a reward of $ 50,000 for Porfirio Díaz, president of Mexico, and attempted to overthrow the government in the early 1990s.

5- José Antonio de la Peña

He is originally from Nuevo León and graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) where he studied as a mathematician. He has a master's and doctorate degrees.

He held the position of director of the Institute of Mathematics (1998-2006) and served as president (2002-2004) and vice president (2000-2002) of the Mexican Academy of Sciences and Coordinator of the Scientific and Technological Consultative Forum (2002-2004).

6- Manuel Peimbert

Peimbert won in 1971 the prestigious award of the "Research of the Mexican Academy of Sciences." His specialty is astronomy, and he has an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Berkeley. In addition, he holds a chair at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

7- Adolfo Sánchez Valenzuela

Image recovered from YouTube.

Valenzuela has a doctorate in Mathematics, a degree he obtained from Harvard University. He also has a degree in physics from UNAM. On the other hand, he is part of the Mexican Academy of Sciences and a renowned director of mathematical theses.

8- José S. Guichard

He is in charge of the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics and a physicist received at the UNAM with a master's and doctorate.

9- Daniel Malacara

Image recovered from Conacyt Information Agency.

Malacara is originally from Guanajuato and the author of more than 150 scientific works and 10 chapters in specialized books on optics. He was received as a physicist with the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He also holds a master of science degree from the University of Rochester.

10- Jorge Flores Valdés

Valdés was director of the Institute of Physics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He received his Ph.D. in Physics from the same faculty and has a post-doctorate from Princeton University.

11- Jose Luis Morán

Source: Conacyt Information Agency CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

This remarkable Mexican scientist is a physicist from the School of Physics of the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí.

He then obtained a master's degree in theoretical physics from the National Polytechnic Institute and a doctorate from the University of Berlin. In addition, she studied at the University of California.

12- Mario Molina

Molina won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for his discoveries about threats to the ozone layer.

He graduated from the Faculty of Chemistry of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and later obtained his postgraduate degree in Germany. In 1972, she studied at the University of California.

13- Juan Ramón de la Fuente

Source: Eneas De Troya CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

This psychiatrist was important in the scientific dissemination in his country. She is also recognized for her political activity and for being a member of the Instituto Cervantes. Between 1999 and 2007, he was rector of UNAM.

14- José Sarukhán

Image recovered from Academia Mexicana de la Lengua.

Rector of UNAM from 1989 to 1997, Sarukhán is a doctor of science from the University of Wales. In his long career, he has received several honorary degrees from various universities.

15- Luis Felipe Rodríguez

Rodríguez is, since 1979, a senior researcher at the Institute of Astronomy of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. His specialty is radio astronomy. In 1978 he received a doctorate from Harvard University.

16- José Hernández-Rebollar

Image recovered from CBS News.

José Hernández-Rebollar invented the Acceleglove, a glove that can translate sign language into speech. Using sensors attached to the glove and arm, the device can currently translate the alphabet and more than 300 words in sign language.

17- Maria Gonzalez

Dr. María del Socorro Flores González won the 2006 MEXWII award for her work in invasive amebiasis diagnostic methods.

María González patented processes to diagnose invasive amebiasis, a parasitic disease that kills more than 100,000 people each year.

18- Felipe Vadillo

Mexican scientist Felipe Vadillo patented a method to predict premature rupture of the fetal membrane in pre-adolescent women.

19- Juan Lozano

Juan Lozano is a Mexican scientist who invented the jet pack (also known as a jet pack).

Juan Lozano's Mexican Aerospace technology company sold the jetpack for a high price. Lozano has been working with hydrogen peroxide propulsion systems since 1975.

20- Emilio Sacristán

Source: Presidency of the Mexican Republic CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

Emilio Sacristán, from Santa Úrsula Xitla, Mexico, invented a compressed air powered impeller for the pneumatic ventricular assist device.

21- Manuel Sandoval Vallarta

1. Mario Enrique Sánchez. The most important Mexican scientists. (2010). Recovered from file.de10.com.mx.
2. Ana Rodríguez. Prominent scientists from Mexico. (2009). Recovered from file.de10.com.mx.
3. High-technology exports (current US $) (sf). Recovered from data.worldbank.org.