Why UC Merced?
With what I know now, UC Merced will always hold a special place in my heart. First with the close knit academic community and its strong commitment to inclusive and innovation. At the intersection of agriculture and environmental sustainability, I felt right at home with the passion for engineering impactful solutions with the help of incredibly welcoming professors and world class research scientists.
Admittedly, my first impression of UC Merced came from online comments describing it as isolated, with not much going on. That perspective completely changed once I experienced the campus for myself. What I discovered felt like a hidden gem. Here, agriculture and nature exist side by side in a way that is both intentional and inspiring. I have walked through our experimental smart farm where cutting edge research in sustainable agriculture is actively shaping the future of food systems. Just minutes away, the campus nature reserve supports work in ecosystem preservation and land management, showing that progress and conservation can truly grow together. There are plenty of opportunity to be a part of research community for people from any background.
Some of my favorite moments are outside the classroom. In winter, the beautiful clear view of the snow capped Sierra Nevada is unmatched. In the spring, the fields turn endlessly green with grazing animals and blooming orchards. . Birds singing every morning, cow and goat making noises from the distance, and serene night of cricket chirping, owl hooting. Coming from the fast paced cities of SoCal, trading constant noises and traffics for the rhythm of nature has been incredible. At UC Merced, I got more than an ABET accredited engineering degree. I found a place full of opportunity, community with purposes, and soul healing beauties.
Why Your Major?
Frankly, what first inspired me to pursue Materials Science and Engineering was witnessing the immense scale of plastic waste. For far too long before I realized that many single use plastics are not truly recyclable and can persist/degrade in the environment for multiple lifetimes, I knew I no longer wanted to contribute passively to the problem. Instead, I wanted to be part of the force driving toward more sustainable solutions.
What excites me most about this field is its interdisciplinary nature, which is at the core of solving real world challenges. Whether it is developing sustainable materials, improving manufacturing processes, or advancing emerging technologies, materials science provides a powerful foundation for innovation.
As I have progressed in MSE, I have also come to understand that translating research into real world applications is far more complex than it initially appears. This realization has shaped my interest in advanced additive manufacturing and bio based materials, where design, material behavior, and scalability must all work together. I am particularly drawn to the challenge of creating solutions that are not only technically effective, but also practical and sustainable at scale.
Inspiration and Mentors
Throughout my academic journey, I have been fortunate to be guided by mentors and professors who have shaped both my personal growth and technical development.
Academically, Professor Emeritus Christopher Viney has been one of the most influential figures in my experience. Through his materials science courses, his passion for the subject was truly contagious. He has a unique way of revealing the hidden beauty within materials, especially at the atomic level, which transformed how I see the world around me. His thoughtful guidance made even the most challenging concepts feel approachable. What I appreciate most is how genuinely he engaged with my curiosity. Whenever I brought questions to him, he responded with not just answers, but stories and perspectives that helped me think more deeply and find my own path forward. I am especially grateful to have had many meaningful conversations with him and to attend some of his final lectures before and after his retirement.
Professionally, I have been inspired by Dr. Joshua Viers, who has continuously supported my growth as an engineer. He has encouraged me to take on new challenges and opened doors to opportunities where I could collaborate with experts from diverse disciplines. Through these experiences, I learned how impactful it is to work in environments where ideas are welcomed, challenged, and refined.
Their mentorship has motivated me to keep improving, stay curious, and contribute meaningfully to both my community and the next generation of engineers
Memorable Academic Experience
Looking back, one of my most memorable academic experiences was writing lab reports in my Fluid Dynamics course. It might not sound exciting at first, but it really pushed me to apply what I learned in a practical and meaningful way.
Since the course was taught by a professional engineer, we were held to real world standards. I quickly realized that understanding the material was only half the work. The bigger challenge was clearly communicating results in a way that others could understand and trust. Through these reports, I learned how to break down complex ideas and present them in a clear, professional way. I also got better at adjusting my writing depending on the audience, whether technical or not. It taught me how to highlight key findings and explain why they matter.
This experience changed how I approach engineering work. It showed me that good ideas only go so far if you cannot communicate them effectively.
What's Next?
In the short term, I will be co-leading an AgTech education project, where my focus is on design and material optimization for project construction. I will also be collaborating with multiple UC-affiliated partners to expand the reach of the program. One of my main goals is to make engineering concepts more accessible, not only to K–12 students but also to the broader community.
Looking ahead, I hope to continue being part of the materials research community. I am open to pursuing a master’s or PhD, or working in research and development at a startup, especially at the intersection of technology and sustainability. I am particularly interested in areas where materials innovation can directly contribute to more sustainable systems.
Ultimately, I want to be in a position where I can both develop new technologies and help bring them into real-world applications that create meaningful impact.
