Francisco Castillo Trigueros’ dissertation composition, Sur les debris for bass flute and electronics, was nominated for the Gaudeamus Music Prize. More than 60 composers under the age of 30 entered the international competition, and Trigueros is one of the five shortlisted composers. The winner will be announced in September 2014 as part of Gaudeamus Muziekweek in the Netherlands.

Trigueros’ work was also featured in Scientific American. With fellow graduate student Josiah Zayner, he created the Chromochord, an instrument that uses light-sensitive proteins to create sound. The partnership between Trigueros and Zayner was made possible through the UChicago Arts|Science Initiative.