PMMI Foundation Names Inaugural EXPO PACK Scholarship Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Herndon, Virginia; Nov. 10, 2026 –– The PMMI Foundation, the charitable arm of PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, announces the inaugural recipients of the EXPO PACK Scholarship, recognizing two promising university students in Mexico pursuing technical careers connected to the packaging and processing industry.

Launched in 2026, the EXPO PACK Scholarship was established to support and advance student careers within Mexico’s packaging and processing industry. Two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded annually to students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities in Mexico.

The program complements PMMI’s broader workforce development efforts and the PMMI Foundation’s ongoing investment in education, scholarships, industry awareness, and opportunities that connect students with careers in packaging and processing.

The inaugural awards also strengthen the connection between the PMMI Foundation’s mission and the EXPO PACK brand, which brings the packaging and processing community together in Mexico to experience new technologies, exchange knowledge, and build connections across the industry.

Barbara Jaqueline Sanchez Cabrera and Gabriel Valentín Rosales, both students at Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), have been selected as the 2026 EXPO PACK Scholarship recipients.

“Developing the next generation of skilled, qualified professionals is essential to the continued advancement of our industry, and that commitment extends across North America,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “Barbara and Gabriel represent the type of emerging technical talent our industry needs. We are proud to recognize them as the first recipients of the EXPO PACK Scholarship and to support them as they continue their education and prepare for their future careers.”

The 2026 EXPO PACK Scholarship Recipients

Barbara Jaqueline Sanchez Cabrera
IPN – Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnología (UPIBI)
Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology Engineering

Sanchez Cabrera is pursuing a degree in Biotechnology Engineering at IPN’s UPIBI. Her multidisciplinary studies combine engineering and biotechnology, providing a technical foundation applicable to evolving manufacturing, processing, and production environments.

Gabriel Valentín Rosales
IPN
Bionic Engineering

Valentín Rosales is pursuing a degree in Bionic Engineering at IPN. His studies integrate engineering, electronics, mechanics, automation, and biological systems — disciplines increasingly relevant as advanced technologies transform modern manufacturing and processing operations.

Each year, the PMMI Foundation provides more than $200,000 in scholarships to students preparing to enter the packaging and processing industries. 2027 EXPO PACK Scholarships and PMMI Foundation Scholarships open for applications in January, 2027.

For more information about PMMI Foundation scholarships and scholarship recipients, visit PMMIFoundation.org.