Civil engineering, some will tell you, is work that starts in the mind but ends with the heart and soul.
Biniza Lopez Manriquez would agree.
How could she not? Her first role after college was with Grupo Vivo, where she contributed to the design and development of affordable housing projects for families in southeastern Mexico.
“From the beginning, they made it clear that our work didn’t end on paper,” Lopez Manriquez said. “It wasn’t enough to design a project; we had to be there to see it completed and personally deliver the result to the families who would live in it.”
Talk about heart and soul. Lopez Manriquez and her team would go house by house, keys in hand for the new owners.
“That moment, when someone holds the key to their own home for the first time, is unforgettable,” Lopez Manriquez said.
“Some people stood in silence for a few seconds. Others smiled, some cried. The emotion was palpable. They weren’t just receiving a house; they were receiving stability, security, and the opportunity to build a different future for their children.
“That experience deeply shaped the way I see civil engineering. It reminded me that our work is not only about infrastructure – it is about people.”
That focus on people has shaped Lopez Manriquez’s career – growing up in Cancún, the daughter of Maria Candelaria Manriquez Soltero and Francisco Augusto Lopez Coj (an electrical engineer), working in Mexico after college, and moving to the United States, where she’s settled in Dallas. She now leads civil engineering efforts for large-scale fiberoptic infrastructure projects across the U.S. and international crossings with Mexico, overseeing permitting and regulatory compliance, reviewing designs and construction plans, and ensuring adherence to engineering standards, project specifications, and regulatory requirements.
ASCE has honored Lopez Manriquez as a 2026 New Face of Civil Engineering.
She recently spoke with Civil Engineering Source about her career.
Civil Engineering Source: What accomplishments or experiences in your career so far are you most proud of?
Biniza Lopez Manriquez: My career has evolved significantly since relocating to the United States. In Mexico, I worked on civil infrastructure projects across multiple specialties, including utilities, housing, rail, and earthworks. Today, I focus on fiberoptic infrastructure.
One of the most impactful projects I contributed to was the Tren Maya in Mexico, a major railway connecting the southeastern region of the country. I was part of the earthworks team, performing volumetric calculations and supporting the coordination of large-scale site development critical to the railway’s structural performance. Working in such a complex and environmentally sensitive region strengthened my expertise in risk management, interdisciplinary coordination, and executing large infrastructure projects.
Source: What prompted your move to the United States?
Lopez Manriquez: While working on complex infrastructure projects in Mexico, I was offered a civil engineering role in Dallas that aligned with my expertise and represented a meaningful step forward in my career. The position allowed me to broaden my technical scope, take on challenging projects, and navigate a new regulatory environment.
I accepted the offer and relocated from Cancún to the U.S., which was a significant change. The experience has been extremely rewarding, giving me the chance to deepen my understanding of multi-jurisdictional permitting, regulatory frameworks, and construction standards. I’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with talented professionals through ASCE, further strengthening my professional growth and network.
Source: What do you miss most about Mexico?
Lopez Manriquez: At first, I missed my family the most, since I had always lived with them. I also missed my friends and, of course, the food. Life in the U.S. has been rewarding professionally, yet Mexico will always hold a special place for me personally.
Source: Volunteering has been a big part of your life. What inspired that?
Lopez Manriquez: My interest in volunteering began before university, participating in activities with local associations to support patients in hospitals. One of the most formative experiences came later, in the mountains of Elvira, Guanajuato, through the Asociación Latinoamericana de Estudiantes e Ingenieros (ALEIC). The community lacked fully accessible roads, so our team developed the executive design for a street and drainage system that the municipality could implement.
Beyond the technical work, we engaged with residents and organized activities at the local school. Seeing the children ask questions, participate, and show curiosity about engineering was incredibly rewarding and reinforced my commitment to inspiring future engineers.
Source: With your dad being an electrical engineer, what does he think about your career success?
Lopez Manriquez: My father was initially skeptical about my pursuing engineering, given the challenges women face in the field. Seeing how I’ve progressed and the impact of my work, he has become very proud. My family has always supported me and continues to celebrate these achievements.
Source: What do you want your legacy to be?
Lopez Manriquez: I aim to strengthen professional collaboration between engineers in Mexico and the U.S., leading innovative infrastructure projects and mentoring the next generation of women in engineering to prepare them for leadership roles.
Source: Do you think you’ll ever move back to Mexico?
Lopez Manriquez: Mexico will always be home, and my family is there. At this stage, my focus is on expanding my technical knowledge, gaining experience on complex projects, and contributing meaningfully to the engineering community in the United States. I see this as an opportunity to grow as an engineer, mentor others, and make a broader impact in my field.
