Alumni Spotlight: Carlos Martín MEng '95, PhD '99
Immediately after completing his graduate studies, Carlos moved to Washington, D.C., where he launched his policy career at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, managing a housing technology incubator initiated under President Clinton. That role set the stage for a path that has woven together government, academia, and policy research at the national level.
Over the years, Carlos has held positions across a wide range of influential institutions, including Arizona State University, Harvard University, the National Association of Home Builders, the Urban Institute, and the Brookings Institution. Today, he serves as Vice President for Research and Policy Engagement at Resources for the Future, helping shape evidence-based approaches to major environmental and housing challenges.
Carlos’s most cherished Stanford memories trace back to the community he found among fellow Chicano and Latino graduate students in the back rooms of El Centro Chicano, a space that offered support, connection, and belonging. Equally formative was a CEE service day at a Habitat for Humanity construction site, led by the late Professor Boyd Paulson—an experience he describes as life-changing. It sparked a shift in his research focus, informed his commitment to applied policy work, and continues to shape his professional identity.
Reflecting on his time at Stanford, Carlos emphasizes the value of intellectual exploration. He took courses across nearly every school—nearly completing a PhD minor in science and technology studies—and encourages current students to adopt the same curiosity. His advice: Explore everything CEE and Stanford have to offer. Broadening your perspectives will enrich your studies and open pathways you may not yet see.
