Outstanding students from each discipline in the School of Engineering are recognized by the faculty of their department for academic excellence and notable contributions to the department and the school.
Congratulations to our graduating students!
What's Next: Visit UC Merced Commencement
Photo: Fall 2024 Outstanding Student Recipients
UC Merced's commitment to research was a significant factor in my decision. I was excited about the chance to work closely with professors and gain hands-on experience in my curriculum. The campus' smaller class size also allowed me to gain a more personalized learning experience, with opportunities to engage in class discussions and receive individual attention from professors. Also being from San Jose, choosing UC Merced allowed me to easily stay connected with my family and friends while pursuing my academic goals.
My favorite subjects in high school were physics and biology, so I chose to major in bioengineering to combine my proficiency in science and passion for health-related fields. I continued to pursue bioengineering as I enjoyed learning how principles from biology, physics, and engineering can be used to solve complex problems related to healthcare, biotechnology, and sustainability. I also value the creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills that bioengineering programs encourage us to use. Choosing to major in bioengineering is challenging but it has definitely been and continues to be a rewarding path for me and my passions.
My primary inspiration has been my family and close friends, who continue to support me and my endeavors. I want to thank Dr. Subramaniam for sparking my interest in biotherapeutics and providing me with opportunities to participate in enriching summer programs and obtain my fellowship in the Subramaniam Lab. My confidence in laboratory skills and competence in engineering has grown significantly since having joined Subramaniam Lab and I'd like to especially thank my mentors and fellow labmates Alexis Cooper and Nimra Khurram for creating such a welcoming lab environment and playing a significant role in my personal growth.
Thank you to my teammates, Coach V, and Coach Alex for challenging and motivating me every day.
Although a significant portion of my undergraduate experience was online, I am grateful to have been an undergraduate researcher in-person at Subramaniam Lab in my final semesters. I am also thankful for Luis Carrasco and my fellow tutors at the STEM Tutoring Hub as it has been a fulfilling experience to help students achieve their learning goals.
After I obtain my bachelor's, I will be continuing my education here at UC Merced as a Bioengineering PhD student this upcoming fall. I am excited to delve deeper into my research interests and develop new skills. I am grateful for this opportunity to give back to the academic community that has already helped me grow so much both individually and professionally and continue working with the faculty and students that are passionate about the field and inspire me to make a difference in the world.
My biggest advice to other engineering students is use your professors and TAs as a resource. Take advantage of attending a research university! Asking for help may be scary but take the initiative to engage with them outside of class, attend their office hours, and seek their mentorship and guidance in classes, career paths, or other opportunities.
UC Merced gives many opportunities for undergraduate students to pursue research. I value all of the unique perspectives of students and faculty around me at our Hispanic-Serving Institution, and have
used that to guide my research interests.
I chose to pursue Environmental Engineering because of its mission to providing sustainable solutions for environmental problems, while taking into account the social and economic implications of engineering
decisions. The work is very relevant and it's innate to be passionate about current issues.
Both Dr. Colleen Naughton and Dr. Josué Medellín-Azuara have been pivotal mentors in my research experience at UCM, teaching me vital lessons as a researcher and student with unconditional support. They've encouraged me to
embrace my background and use my perspective to conduct meaningful research for the benefit of members in my own community and beyond.
I've been fortunate enough to be published first author in a peer-reviewed journal on a paper through the Naughton Lab. I have also conducted research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography through UC LEADS at UCSD, and partnered with universities in Mexico through the WSM Lab to collaborate on research efforts regarding climate resilience in drought-ridden communities.
After graduation, I will continue to conduct research at UC Merced throughout the summer with the WSM Lab. In the Fall, I will begin my pursuit of a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering with the Osman Lab at Stanford University. There, I will further explore and develop sustainable and equitable solutions for water management in the state of California. I hope to be a professor one day at a research university.
I would like to thank every faculty member in the Environmental Engineering department for continually supporting me in my studies and pushing me to be better student and engineer. I would also like to thank Jorge Arroyo and UC LEADS for giving me the opportunity to enter the realm of research, and the constant support they've provided me to be where I am today. Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for always encouraging my interests in the environment and the arts, and not let anything hinder my love for learning.
As a Central Valley native, I found myself in a uniquely comfortable and familiar environment at UC Merced. The relative youth of the university, coupled with its modest size allowed me to foster meaningful relationships with my professors and peers. The academic environment, paired with the strong sense of community, has given me not only an exceptional education, but also lifelong friendships and a sense of purpose.
I fell in love with Computer Science long before I applied to UC Merced. The nature of the problems as well as their context were always exciting for me, allowing for collaboration and creativity in ways I didn't find anywhere else. The rush of successfully solving a challenging problem is something that I have always found deeply rewarding. It is a feeling that never gets old, and one that fuels my passion for Computer Science. The thrill of discovery and the sense of accomplishment are what drive me to pursue excellence in the field.
Throughout my journey, I have been fortunate enough to have a multitude of sources for inspiration and motivation, each of which has played an integral role in shaping my personal and professional development.
First and foremost, my parents have been instrumental in providing me with a strong foundation for success. They showed me how to apply myself and my skills to the things I care about. Additionally, they taught me the importance of loyalty, both in my personal relationships and in my professional endeavors. These have served as a guiding force throughout my personal, academic, and professional pursuits.
My high school robotics coach also played a pivotal role in shaping my approach to work and collaboration. Under her guidance, I learned how to effectively communicate with others, even in high-stress situations, and how to work well within a team to achieve shared goals. These skills have proven invaluable in my academic and professional pursuits, enabling me to excel in group projects and collaborate effectively with colleagues.
Finally, my professors at UC Merced have played an instrumental role in my academic and personal growth. I'd like to specifically name Dr. Chandrasekhar, Dr. Lu, and Dr. Rusu, who have exposed me to facets of the industry that I never knew existed, broadening my horizons and fueling my passion for the field. They have consistently challenged me to push beyond my comfort zone, encouraging me to go the extra mile and strive for excellence in all aspects of my work.
Lots of my classes offered good, challenging experiences for me. These usually came in the form of group projects, which offer a unique challenge of collaboration placed on top of what is often a project with more breadth than most personal projects. Managing a project with others with a deadline is always an interesting challenge and often provides a memorable experience.
I don't have any serious plans locked down right now, but that's ok. I've been working with a tutoring startup here in Merced for the past few months, helping them put together some software solutions they need to streamline their operations. I anticipate continuing to work with them for a bit. Beyond that, I hope to find somewhere to apply my skills long-term, where I can continue to be challenged and where I can feel the impact of my work. I am also considering graduate school as a way of further expanding my skills, but I have no immediate plans.
I chose UC Merced because I was interested in attending a growing college that came with the same connections you get from more established UCs. Also, being from Fresno, I wanted to go to college near enough to home that visiting would be easy but far enough that I'd still get to be away from home.
I majored in computer science because I found programming to be an amazing creative outlet. There aren't many majors where you can think of something you want to build, and from your laptop you can design and implement it on your own, whether it's something useful for a class or just a side project for fun.
I'm especially thankful to professor Hyeran Jeon and the MoCA Lab as a whole, I got to work with them for a research internship during the summer of 2022 and that was a great experience that really opened my eyes about what research looked like for computer science. I'd also like to thank my family for being supportive throughout, I wouldn't be here without them, and of course my friends, for making the long days and late nights working on our classes bearable.
I'd say my most memorable academic experiences were the various group projects I've worked on. In computer
science you learn by doing, so working on full scale projects with a group who all have their own specialties and things to teach each other is the fastest way to pick up new skills. On top of that, making a MIPS simulator for the Computer Architecture class with professor Jeon. We spend a lot of time learning to program and not worrying about the very low level processes, but I think it's really valuable to have an idea for what was happening every
step of the way from actual binary to application execution.
Keep applying to jobs and hopefully find something in California so I can start building practical experience as soon as possible. I am considering pursuing graduate school but it's not something I'd do in the near future.
UC Merced is a campus that made me feel welcomed. I admire how much the school has to offer and being a new research school was also something that made me like campus even more. I enjoy how faculty and students are always willing to teach and learn as well as always maintaining a positive work environment. UC Merced offers so many resources and opportunities to get involved and that is why students strive and make the best out of their undergraduate years here.
Material Science and Engineering was a major I did not know much about when applying, but I knew I wanted a STEM major. After taking my general lower division classes and taking introduction to materials, I became fascinated by how much can be done by studying and characterizing materials. There is so much that defines how something may work based on the study of its processing, properties, performance, and structure. I have learned that studying material science allows me to make something work better and more efficiently as well as learning that this major is so interdisciplinary that the knowledge can be applied everywhere.
My family have always been my greatest supporters! As a child of immigrant parents I always strive to do my best because I want to make my parents proud. My parents have worked so hard to provide a higher education for my sibling and I that my first thought about graduating with a bachelor's degree is making sure I make them proud by showing them that their sacrifices have all been worth it!
I would also like to highlight and thank my professors and the faculty because without them I would not be where I am today. They inspire me to always seek more knowledge and ask questions that lead to more success.
A significant academic experience would have to be the semester I took Thermodynamics. I started that class with fear of failing because I had heard it was really hard. Initially I had a very hard time learning the concepts and learning thermodynamics with a mechanical engineer perspective. I then made sure to take extra time to study, attend office hours and study sessions that eventually paid off. This is a big part of my success now because after I took that class I received an offer for a research lab assistant position from Dr. Palko. This was a sign that my hard work and determination was noticed and that no matter what the struggle is just ask for help and keep going.
Due to the amazing guidance from friends and mentors I am stoked to start a full time job at The Clorox Company as a R&D Packaging Scientist! I would have never thought I would be working for such a recognized consumer based company and I could not be happier. I am excited to start this new chapter in life and I know Clorox will allow me to apply my Material Science knowledge as well as learn a lot more from them.
I would also like to thank SHPE because without this organization I would not be this prepared and ready for the real industry world. I have gained so much knowledge and friendships that just keep growing. I appreciate the opportunity to attend the 2022 SHPE National Convention where I got so much networking experience and gained my full time job offer.
¡Gracias!
I chose UC Merced because it was a smaller campus but was growing at a fast pace. The opportunity to get involved into ones area of interest is very easy here at UC Merced. Also, the people who are here are just like me, so it feels like home when I am here.
Since I was a little kid I always had an interest in cars. Movies like The Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift made this interest grow even more. I though cars looked and sounded cool from the outside, but I would always be confused whenever I would look at the engine bay, and furthermore understanding how the car worked. Mechanical Engineers are the people who design these vehicles and have and active role in that, so for this reason I chose Mechanical Engineering.
My immediate family are my biggest motivation and inspiration. My father is the most hardworking person I know without a doubt, and NEVER complains. My mother never fails to remind me what is important in life and never stops when it comes to providing for my sister and I. My sister has always had my back and has been my mentor since I can remember. Since my sister was a Senior when I was a first year, she helped me get acclimated into college life very quickly. Despite not knowing the flow of life of the US, my family made it happen under any circumstances, so I know that I can too.
I made many friends who are also Mechanical Engineering students. Staying up late to study or work on homework in the SRE building will always be a good memory to look back on. In addition, I enjoyed my time as a Resident Assistant where I got the opportunity to help incoming student or 2nd years with things I wish I would've known at that time.
This summer I will be working as an Intern for PepsiCo as a Supply Chain Engineer Intern. After, I hope to get hired on by them or look for an industry job in the automotive space. I believe at some point I will want to pursue a masters or a PhD, so we'll see where life takes me!
I feel like I have grown a lot here at UC Merced. Through the different events, jobs, classes, etc. I have been able to challenge the way I think and have changed the way I act as a result. Experiencing a year without people due to COVID put into perspective what life is like, which made me appreciate the opportunities when they are there. I say this because once COVID hit many clubs on campus and other activities were halted and some have not made a comeback, so it is important to take advantage of the opportunities when they are there.
UC Merced was actually a happy accident. I didn't initially plan to attend UC Merced but applied anyway and discovered that the school was by far the best fit for me.
As grandiose as it may sound, I believe that mechanical engineering gives one the tools to improve people's lives and the world. It has always been my hope that I can take these tools and enter the field of renewable energy and or sustainability.
My family, especially my mother and father, has been the greatest source of support and motivation through my entire academic career.
Capstone design has been my favorite academic project. Getting to collaborate with other engineering students and perform real world engineering has been a great learning experience and a blast.
In the long run, I plan on entering into sustainability and doing my small part to make the world more sustainable.
