Growing up in a small town in Mexico, Dr. Fernando Samaniego-Verduzco was always inspired to go into engineering by his peers. After receiving one of only 12 scholarships offered by the Mexican Petroleum Institute, he became part of the first generation of students in Mexico to earn his master’s degree. He then earned his doctorate at Stanford. After graduation, Samaniego-V. began a rewarding career as a part-time professor, researcher, and professional and was able to create a strong connection with his students by being a faculty sponsor of the UNAM student chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Besides inspiring the next generation, Samaniego-V. has also spent time leading geothermal reservoirs research for the Mexican Petroleum Institute and the Electric Research Institute before he moved to Pemex. His dedication to bringing recognition to Mexican petroleum engineering during a time when the field was dominated by the US and UK, and his devotion to helping young engineers, resonates through his work with UNAM’s Petrobowl team. In 2015, after 5 years of competing, he finally led his team to victory and earned the MVP title for UNAM twice. Throughout his decades-long career, Samaniego-V. has gained recognition for his work by receiving the National Award of Science and Arts in Technology and Design, as well as the Lester C. Uren Award, SPE Honorary 2005 member, and a 2005 National Academy of Engineering foreign member. Despite the energy transition occurring in the industry now, Samaniego-Verduzco sees a bright future ahead for young engineers. Hear about his infectious optimism for the future in his oral history.