Texas remains a powerhouse for international education and STEM careers. The state hosts approximately 8% of all international students in the U.S., ranking third behind California and New York, with over 90,000 international enrollees in 2023–24.

A striking figure of this trend is Pedro Henrique da Silva Parmezani, a Brazilian-born prodigy who moved to the U.S. at 15 to pursue both academics and athletics. Pedro graduated Magna Cum Laude in Applied Physics and Mathematics from West Virginia Wesleyan College, with a 3.84 GPA. His achievements include the Outstanding Physics/Engineering Award, Senior Academic and Leadership Achievement Award, and membership in the All‑Mountain East Conference Academic Team.

Under a SURE grant, Pedro led a pioneering study, “Gamma Rays in Nuclear Physics: Research and Applications”, testing radiation shielding materials using plastics, lead, copper, and brass against isotopes Cs-137 and Co-60. “Lightweight plastics can protect nearly as effectively as metals, which could transform aerospace, medical safety, and nuclear fields,” explains Pedro.

His data-driven, MATLAB-enhanced research culminated in a 25-page thesis lauded for its innovation and practicality.

Texas continues to lead job growth, adding 213,300 jobs since May 2024 across sectors like education, health, and STEM fields, where 47% of openings require STEM skills .

The University of Texas System hosts over 16,007 international graduate students, 26.6% of total graduate enrollment, reflecting Texas’s commitment to global academic exchange.

Pedro’s research and leadership are a strategic fit for Texas’s priorities:

  • Radiation shielding plays a vital role in healthcare, energy, and safety, areas of growing investment in Texas.
  • His systems engineering focus aligns with local strengths in AI, logistics, and manufacturing.
  • His leadership as a former NCAA soccer captain and campus leader demonstrates the cultural agility valued by Texas employers.

Recent federal visa challenges disrupted around 260 international students in Texas, but universities and government officials are working hard to stabilize the situation. “International students bring talent, jobs, and innovation. Texas and its institutions must continue to support this pipeline.”

As Texas’s economic ecosystem thrives, with 14.3 million jobs and continuous growth the infusion of global STEM talent like Pedro will help maintain its leadership in innovation, research, and workforce development.