The road to a dream is rarely smooth. But for José Peaguda, determination and hope have made the journey lighter — he’s driven by a lifelong calling to medicine and a deep desire to help others.
Peaguda is a 23-year-old UF biomedical engineering senior and president of the Venezuelan Student Association. He grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, where his parents worked in the healthcare industry. Their dedication to the craft inspired him to follow a similar path.
At 15, his life changed dramatically when his family emigrated to Miami in 2018, leaving behind their careers to give Peaguda and his brother a better future.
“I deeply value their sacrifice,” he said of his parents, “and it motivates me to make the most of every chance I get.”
Adjusting to the U.S. education system was not easy. Peaguda faced rejections from schools and programs, including UF. Although he received several rejections in tests and admissions, his determination did not waver. He eventually enrolled in The Honors College at Miami Dade College, a decision he called a turning point.
“I felt I needed that springboard because inside me was the certainty that I could do very well,” he said. “I wouldn’t be the person I am today without that opportunity.”
In Miami, his interests expanded beyond medicine. A research position in the University of Miami’s Sports Medicine lab, where he studied the effects of exercise on patients with Parkinson’s Disease, sparked his fascination with biomedical engineering.
When Peaguda transferred to UF, he set his sights on medical school — but also on research. At the UF Orthopaedic Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, he investigates the causes of pain in osteoarthritis patients by studying how knee tissues in humans and rats respond to injury and aging.
His work includes histological analysis, a technique that breaks down tissue into parts to study its structure through cryosection and immunostaining testing, which preserves tissue for cellular-level analysis. His thesis explores how nerve pressure and interaction in the knee contribute to osteoarthritis pain.
Trey Alton, a third-year doctoral student in biomedical engineering, said Peaguda is an indispensable part of the team.
“As a lab partner, he’s very well valued,” Alton said. “We all really love his work ethic and his ability to take on tasks. He’s a great person to know and an even better person to work with.”
Peaguda’s commitment to service extends beyond the lab. At the Equal Access Clinic in Gainesville, a free healthcare facility for underserved patients, he’s a Spanish-language interpreter and helps bridge cultural and communication gaps.
“It feels incredible when a patient arrives scared, but once they realize you speak Spanish, their face lights up,” Peaguda said. “It’s a relief they weren’t expecting.”
Paul Clifford, a second-year medical student and clinic officer, said Peaguda’s role at the clinic is vital.
“I don’t think the clinic could run without him,” Clifford said. “None of the officers speak Spanish, so without him, we wouldn’t be able to serve so many patients.”
For Peaguda, his achievements are about more than personal success. They’re a reflection of resilience — and of the Venezuelan spirit.
“We Venezuelans are here because we want a better future,” he said. “The opportunity to be happy in our country was taken from us, but we are determined to do well.”
Contact María José Cordero in mcastillo@alligator.org . Follow her on X @marprofundo___.
María José Cordero is a contributing writer and a political scientist currently in her first year of a master’s program in Women’s Studies, Gender and Sexualities. She has a keen interest in feminist perspectives and the intersections of politics and social change. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities, soaking up the sun and spending time in nature.
