Outstanding Students

Why UC Merced?

UC Merced, being up-and-coming, provided unique opportunities to connect with faculty, secure undergraduate research positions, and have a say in campus development. I was drawn to the fact that it is highly student-driven, and I knew that it was the ideal place to feel supported both academically and socially. With its plethora of opportunities that it gave to me, such as involvement in Associated Students, undergraduate research (TUSCEB), Makerspace, study abroad, and the Biomedical Engineering Society, UC Merced has proven to be a true hidden gem. If you’re looking to make your mark in college, this university is for you.

Why Your Major?

My family saved my umbilical cord blood as a possible option for my sister’s cleft palate regeneration, but it was too experimental to move forward. This early exposure made me aware of the challenges in translating research into effective treatments and the untapped potential of regenerative medicine. I knew I wanted to help close that gap. When it came time to pick my major, I was torn between science and math. With bioengineering being the perfect merriment and allowing me to pay tribute to my family, I knew it was the right path. My love for bioengineering was further strengthened throughout my academic journey and during my participation in undergraduate research.

Inspiration and Mentors

I would like to thank my parents for their kind encouragement, sacrifice, and discipline, which provided me with the foundation to excel. Their creativity and drive inspire me never to be afraid of failure, but rather to learn from it. Thank you to Salvador Diaz and the Makerspace staff for broadening my expertise in rapid prototyping and inspiring me to work hard. I especially want to thank my principal investigator, Dr. Kara McCloskey, and the McCloskey Lab for enriching my technical abilities and for their unwavering support. I owe much of my professional and personal growth to my graduate student mentor, Hoda Arab Zadeh. Not only has she taught me valuable laboratory skills, such as cell culture and RT-qPCR, but she has also exemplified how to raise a family while prioritizing her passions. She is the definition of a go-getter, and I hope to encompass her dedication to research and helping others.

Memorable Academic Experience

My most memorable academic experience was being a fellow in the Training Undergraduates in Stem Cell Engineering and Biology (TUSCEB) program. In addition to the core curriculum, I engaged in various supplementary experiences, including two years of undergraduate research, specialized courses, shadowing a medical professional, stem cell-focused community outreach events, and a summer internship at Cedars Sinai. Thank you to Dr. Kara McCloskey, Dr. Manilay, and my fellow cohort members for nourishing my academic journey.

What's Next?

This upcoming fall, I am pursuing my Master of Science degree in Bioengineering at the University of California, San Diego. My goal is to make novel contributions to regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, while engaging with a diverse community. With UC Merced’s preparation, I am thrilled to delve deeper into my research career.

Anything else?

You’d be surprised how many doors open if you just ask. Especially at a budding institution like UC Merced, many peers are willing to connect you to opportunities that you thought were beyond your reach. Participate in undergraduate research, join a club, and get involved!

Why UC Merced?

Originally, UC Merced was not one of my top choices. However, I ended up staying here because of my access to both research experiences and the study abroad program. My time had UC Merced has had both positive and negative experiences that helped shaped me into a more well-rounded person.

Why Your Major?

I always knew that I wanted to become a programmer from a young age because growing up, I loved video games. Although my 8 year old dreams of becoming an Esports player died pretty quickly, making games was one of the few ways I could express my creativity and actually build things in the small apartment we called home. It was from this experience programming as a young child that I knew that I wanted to become a Software Engineer as my career.

Inspiration and Mentors

I'd like to thank Professor Zenaida Aguirre-Muñoz and my supervisor, Chen (Joyce) Liu, for giving me the space to grow and develop my skills working as a Research Assistant in her lab. I'd also like to thank Adam Weingram, for giving me the opportunity and mentorship to grow my skills working with HPC technologies during my time working with the IndySCC team organized by Xiaoyi Lu.

Memorable Academic Experience

The highlight of my UC Merced experience was definitely when I studied abroad in Singapore. Going to see a variety of people and ideas, not just from a foreign country, but meeting with other students from abroad all over the world was an amazing formative experience.

Academically, being able to participate in research helped me grow. Knowledge is everywhere on the internet, but having tasks and pressure put on you can push you to be a much better engineer than just studying alone.

What's Next?

I don't know. While I originally wanted to graduate and work in industry, I enjoy the process of studying a subject deeply and really trying to put together how it works. So right now, I'm deciding trying to figure out how I can work for a few years then go into PhD.

Why UC Merced?

When making college decisions, UC Merced's stood out to me as it was the newest and fastest growing UC. I was interested in the unique opportunity to contribute to its developing legacy. At UC Merced, I have been able to be a part of a community where my involvement has impacted and helped shape the culture and future for the institution for students who come after me.

Why Your Major?

I have always been curious and creative, working in various hands-on and problem solving mediums. From a young age I've been immersed in the arts, creating in both physical and digital mediums. But in high school, I saw myself drawn to sciences and math, having a strong interest and comprehension in the "how" and "why" things worked. I realized that engineering was an intersection of my interests and my skills, allowing me to utilize my creative instincts in a practical application. I chose computer science as a form of creation, using technology to create art and solutions.

Inspiration and Mentors:

My parents have and will always be my biggest inspiration. Throughout my childhood, I have seen their tenacity, watching them finish cooking dinner to immediately going back to work through the night. Their relentless hard work is the reason that I am where I am today, and is the reason that I have the privilege to pursue higher education. Their example pushes me to be my best self, and I am driven by the opportunity to give back to my community and provide for my parents with the same dedication they had provided for me.

Memorable Academic Experience:

I will always cherish the memories of staying on campus late at night for study sessions with my friends. Whether we were studying for a quiz, cramming for our finals, or even catching up, those moments were about more than studying. I will remember us supporting each other and growing together.

What's Next?

After graduation, I hope to get my Masters in Computer Science, specializing my technical skill and continuing my learning journey. In the further future, I want to work in the tech industry at a creative capacity, whether it is designing intuitive visual applications or working on developing innovative new technology.

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.