Outstanding Students
Awards Reception | Fall 2025
- When: Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 3:00 pm
- Where: Conference Center Ballroom
- Contact: engineering@ucmerced.edu
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
Read more about our Outstanding Students (in their own words below). Select from the filters to view prior year's profiles.
Photo: Fall 2024 Outstanding Student Recipients
Computer Science and Engineering
Why UC Merced?
To be frank, UC Merced was one of two schools I was accepted into. There are a few reasons I chose to go to UCM. First, the class size was small, which meant there were more opportunities to talk with professors and get into research. Second, UCM is a part of the UC system, which is one of the top public university systems in the world. Third, I thought the field of agriculture and robotics was interesting and something I wanted to get into.
My time at UC Merced has had its fair share of ups and downs, but I have no regrets about choosing this school. My future path has been heavily influenced by the people I've interacted with and the projects I've worked on at this school. I can't imagine a mediocre high school student like me getting the same kinds of opportunities at other institutions.
Why Your Major?
I initially chose Computer Science as a major because I liked the idea that you only needed a computer and a dream to change the world with software. During my time at UCM, I developed an interest in using software to automate games and robots. Now, I would say I chose Computer Science because I want to create autonomous robots that can plan and reason about the world in order to solve tasks that are difficult for humans.
Inspiration and Mentors
Of course, I’d like to thank my parents for always supporting me throughout my college journey. I have been fortunate to learn from so many professors and researchers at UCM. In particular, I would like to thank Dr. Stefano Carpin for allowing me to take his graduate reinforcement learning course in my sophomore year, which marked the beginning of my journey in robotics. After I passed his course, Dr. Carpin accepted me into his lab, and with his guidance, I was able to publish research and work on farm robotics. His mentorship has greatly shaped my career path, and the experience I gained in his lab helped me land a position at Bonsai Robotics working on farm autonomy. I would also like to thank Dr. Ross Greer, who has taught me a great deal about computer vision, robotics, and research. He has always been willing to take the time to talk and offer thoughtful advice on any question I've had about robotics and autonomy. I'd like to shout out all the members of the Carpin Lab, especially Marcos Zuzuarregui, who has been a great friend and mentor I could always rely on. Lastly, I'd like to thank Derek Hollenbeck, with whom I've had many discussions about control theory and environmental modeling.
Memorable Academic Experience
The first paper I ever wrote and published. The process of being given a research problem, surveying the field, theorizing and evaluating solutions. These are all skills I will hone for the remainder of my time as an engineer and researcher. The timeline was also fun. I had gotten results good enough to publish two weeks before the paper deadline. I spent the next 14 days figuring out how to write a paper from scratch. It didn't help that I was balancing other commitments like my Capstone project with LLNL. Ultimately, with the help of Dr. Carpin and Marcos, we were able to submit the paper just 10 minutes before the submission window closed. I wish I could say I learned how to manage my time from this experience, but the only thing that's changed is that I have to finish even more work in a limited time frame.
What's Next?
I am joining Bonsai Robotics as a Robotics Engineer intern to work on autonomous robots for farms. I plan to spend some time in industry before preparing to get a PhD to research at the cutting edge of machine learning and robotics.
Anything else?
If any UCM CS undergraduates happen to read this, some advice:
- Try to get into a research lab as early as you can, even in your first or second year. If that doesn’t work out, build a technical project on your own or with friends. This gives you real experience and can help you land an internship in your first two summers, which is tough since the UC Merced name alone won’t carry you very far yet.
- If you're trying to transfer, start planning as early as possible. Many schools have specific course requirements that aren’t in the standard UCM CS roadmap. Make sure you're aware of them. A strong project or research background (see #1) will also help your application stand out.
- Consider taking graduate courses as an undergraduate if you're genuinely interested in the subject. I took two at UCM, and they were some of the best learning experiences I've had. This also helped me land a position in a research lab.
- I honestly didn't have the best experience with CS clubs at UCM (shoutout to the Hololive club though). It's hard to find people who are motivated to show up and work on technical projects. I hope future students at UCM can improve this. Find as many motivated people as you can and help each other out.
I doubt many people will actually read these, but if you ever need advice, feel free to email me or connect on LinkedIn (/saeed-anas).
Computer Science and Engineering
Why UC Merced?
Because it was affordable. Also because it was the best school I got into.
Why Your Major?
I liked engineering software; it's cool to build things and it's an emerging field. It requires a lot of difficult intellectual work though, but in high school I found I had the ability to such work.
Inspiration and Mentors
Santosh Chandrasekhar was a huge driver for me to pursue a PhD and research as a career overall.
Memorable Academic Experience
I'm not very inclined toward big academic/social events; I just like solving problems, and the bigger the insight, the greater the enjoyment. My favorite moments were discovering big insights in research or studying via great intellectual effort, and that was usually done by myself at home.
What's Next?
I'll be applying to a lot of programs for a PhD in computer science, specializing in algorithms and complexity.
Anything else?
"Just that," said the fox. "To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world...."
Computer Science and Engineering
Why UC Merced?
UC Merced stood out to me for several reasons! The faculty-to-student ratio was a huge factor in my decision. We also have access to amazing research opportunities, which have allowed me to work closely with professors who are truly invested in exploration. And, as a growing community of students, this campus offers us an opportunity to build a legacy by starting organizations/clubs. I was able to take part in a few of our newly established organizations, which is very rewarding!
Why Your Major?
In high school, I had many interests, I was always curious and wanted to keep myself busy. I would envision different futures for myself, becoming an art major, pursuing business, or computer science. However, computer science was the only discipline that challenged me in a way that fostered growth. It pushed me to build new skills constantly and gave me a sense of fulfillment. That drive hasn't changed—it's this constant cycle of problem-solving and improvement that keeps me engaged and passionate about my major.
Inspiration and Mentors
My biggest inspirations and role models are my beautiful parents. But beyond my family, my college experience wouldn't have been the same without my incredible mentors. I'm deeply grateful to Professor Du for the opportunity to work with the DOE, which showed me the impact of cross-disciplinary collaboration. I thank Professor Chandrasekhar and my TA Sri, for putting us through a rollercoaster of emotions, haha, in our capstone project. It was a wonderful experience, it pushed me to grow technically and personally, and I enjoyed every step of the way, even the late-night cramming sessions. Finally, I thank Professor Pandey for your mentorship in our lab, for sharing so many opportunities with me, and for being an amazing human. Each of you has shaped not just my academic journey, but who I am as a person, and for that, I'm forever grateful.
Memorable Academic Experience
There are so many! I’ll never forget staying up night after night with my teammates working on projects—I still remember the first time I used GitHub and panicked about overwriting someone’s code (iykyk). But my most meaningful experience has been my time in the lab. I wrote my first research paper, presented my work at Undergraduate Research Week, and worked directly on real-world problems. I especially treasure my conversations with professors and all the laughs we've had with our teams. These experiences taught me that the best part of academia isn't just the knowledge you gain, it's the community you build and the memories you create together.
What's Next?
I’m planning to pursue graduate school with a focus on AI and Data Science. But, one thing that won’t change is that you’ll probably find me buried in work at a café! Let's connect on Linkedin!
Environmental Engineering
Why UC Merced?
UC Merced is right next door to my hometown Turlock, I liked the ease of having family close while pursing my degree. Being from the valley is something I pride myself in, it was also one of the more economically viable schools for me.
Why Your Major?
Originally, I started my journey at UC Merced as an Environmental Science major, I have always been curious of the natural world but realized quickly that I did not enjoy the courses as much and after attempting an engineering course, statistics and dynamics, I realized I enjoyed the math aspect of the major and wanted to pursue ENVE. I had no idea what environmental engineers did but the title sounded serious and am now excited to more forward into the work force.
Inspiration and Mentors
A huge inspiration for me will always be my mom, she is a strong and kind woman that helped me throughout my whole academic career and its thanks to her support that I got this far. As for at UC Merced, some of my mentors included Dr Thomas Harmon and his graduate students Humberto and Yelenka, their lab and the organization SEEN helped me learn so much about community and how to apply myself as an undergraduate student.
Memorable Academic Experience
My freshman year I took psychology 1, my roommate and I created a study group of about eight girls we taught one another studying techniques and quizzed one another to ensure we passed. I am still close to lots of those girls and have always been grateful for the opportunities that struggling in classes brings.
What's Next?
I would love to say that I have a solid job lined up but currently I am seeking to work an entry job at an engineering firm, for now I will stick to my internship with the consulting firm Arcadis on the High Speed Rail Project and pursue my EIT certificate.
Anything else?
I enjoyed my time at UC Merced and am glad to bring up the number of women in engineering :)
Materials Science and Engineering
Why UC Merced?
I decided to choose UC Merced because it provides opportunities for minorities to participate in research. In addition, I wanted to study Materials Science because I have always been interested in nanotechnology. When I learned that the Materials Engineering department offers an emphasis in nanotechnology, it immediately caught my attention.
Why Your Major?
When I was in middle school in Mexico, I remember seeing a magazine article about carbon nanotubes and how they would be used in the future. That moment inspired me to study solid-state materials. Later, during my internship at 3M, I spoke with the president of the Nanotechnology Chapter at 3M, who said something that deeply resonated with me: “Nanotechnology is the limit of how humans can control atoms".
Inspiration and Mentors
I first studied my general education at Santa Rosa Junior College. During that time, I met my professor Jessica, who was my instructor for Introduction to Materials Science. At first, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study, but after talking with her, she shared her own experience as a materials scientist and explained why she chose that field. Her passion and guidance inspired me to pursue a degree in Materials Science and Engineering, as I saw her as a role model.
Memorable Academic Experience
This semester, the Materials Research Society had the opportunity to attend the GMIS conference, where I connected with amazing people and spent quality time with my friends—sharing meals and even going to the beach together. In addition, I attended two SHPE conferences, where I met inspiring individuals with backgrounds similar to mine—people who, like me, moved to another country to pursue an education and are now working for important companies. These experiences have motivated me to stay positive and continue growing both personally and professionally.
What's Next?
I am currently looking for a full-time position in the semiconductor industry. Although I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in the future, I want to gain industry experience first to better understand the current needs and challenges in the semiconductor field.
Mechanical Engineering
Why UC Merced?
I chose UC Merced because it felt like a comfortable and genuine fit for me. Coming from Watsonville, a mostly Hispanic community, I appreciated that UC Merced had a similar sense of familiarity and diversity, which made the transition to college much easier. I was also drawn to the campus environment and how close it is to places like Yosemite, as I enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors. The smaller size of the university also appealed to me because it made it easier to connect with professors and stay engaged in my classes instead of feeling lost on a large campus. UC Merced offered the kind of setting where I felt supported and able to succeed both personally and academically.
Why Your Major?
I chose Mechanical Engineering because math and science were always the subjects that made the most sense to me. Even in elementary school, I remember racing through the timed multiplication sheets and feeling excited to be one of the first to flip over their paper. That early excitement for problem-solving stuck with me, and as I got older, those subjects stayed my strongest and most enjoyable. Outside the school, I realized I liked working on hands-on things too. Fixing my car, taking apart my gaming consoles, and customizing controllers made me appreciate understanding how things worked and figuring out how to make them better. For a while, I did think about majoring in chemistry (mainly because of Breaking Bad), but over time, I realized I enjoyed chemistry more as a hobby, especially through baking. Mechanical Engineering brought together everything I enjoyed, combining problem-solving with hands-on work.
Inspiration and Mentors
My biggest inspiration has always been my mom. She raised my sister and me on her own while working as a housekeeper, and managed to provide everything we needed, even when it meant sacrificing things for herself. No matter how tired she was, she always showed up for us and supported us in any way we needed. Seeing her work ethic and commitment has been one of my biggest motivators throughout my time in college.
I also want to thank several professors who have guided me along the way. Dr. Alejandro Gutiérrez has always been there whenever I needed career advice, and Dr. Francesco Danzi has answered countless engineering questions from me and been receptive to random engineering videos I would send him. Dr. Abel Chuang has been one of the most friendly and easygoing professors I’ve had, and I’m grateful to all my engineering instructors who've helped shape the path I’m on now. I also want to recognize Dr. Erica Rutter and Dr. Nathan Willis for being outstanding math professors who were always open to questions and willing to offer advice whenever I needed it.
I genuinely appreciate the TAs who made a big impact as well. Adrien Peltzer and Shashwat Sharan are two of the brightest and most approachable people I’ve met, and their support made a real difference in my learning experience.
Lastly, I want to thank my beautiful girlfriend Verania and my friends for being there through everything, whether it was studying together, helping each other with assignments, or just supporting one another throughout the semester, thank you all!
Memorable Academic Experience
One of my most memorable academic experiences was taking MATH 131, Numerical Methods. This class was easily one of the most difficult courses I took during my undergraduate journey. Every time a homework assignment was posted, I knew I was in for a long week. The amount of time, patience, and focus each assignment required meant there were plenty of late nights and a few sleepless ones as well. The midterms were just as tough for this class, so the entire semester felt like a nonstop grind.
What made the experience meaningful, though, was my friend Jesus Ruvalcaba. This man is one of the smartest and most hard-working people I’ve met, and we constantly challenged each other throughout the class. We’d compare answers, compete to see who could get a better grade, and motivate each other to keep going even when the work felt overwhelming.
As tough as the course was, it ended up being one of the most rewarding. Finishing each assignment and eventually completing the class gave me a huge sense of accomplishment. It’s one of those experiences that reminds you how much you’re capable of when you really commit to something.
What's Next?
After graduation, I’m aiming to move into a role in manufacturing or a position that has a strong hands-on component. I’ve always enjoyed work where I can be directly involved in how things operate or come together, and manufacturing aligns well with that interest.
Mechanical Engineering
Why UC Merced?
I chose to attend UC Merced for several reasons. First, as the newest UC campus, UC Merced represents innovation and growth. Second, during my visit to Merced on Bobcat Day, I had the opportunity to speak with members of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) student organization and learn about the exciting projects they were working on. The club’s members shared the same passion and ambition for aerospace as I did, and I’ve been part of AIAA ever since my first year. Lastly, since UC Merced was close to my hometown, I decided to attend here. Being at UC Merced has allowed me to turn my passion for aerospace into real engineering experience, which I'm super grateful for.
Why Your Major?
About 15 years ago, I remember traveling on an airplane with my family for the first time. During a layover, my father showed me different airplanes taking off one after another, and that’s when I knew I wanted to contribute to the development of aerospace as a mechanical engineer. A few years later, I often visited my uncle’s house, where I would watch him build his own remote-controlled airplanes and drones as a hobby. Every time I visited, I learned something new from him about scratch-building and following the engineering design process. Seeing these mighty steel structures take flight and watching the remote-controlled aircraft come to life inspired me to pursue mechanical engineering, as it is one of the most versatile fields of engineering.
Inspiration and Mentors
I would like to take a moment to thank my entire family for the constant support they have provided me throughout my childhood, schooling, and college career. First and foremost, I want to thank Amma and Poppa for always believing in me and encouraging me to do my best in everything I pursue. They have been completely supportive of every decision I’ve made regarding my education, internships, and future plans, and for that, I am truly grateful. I am also extremely thankful to my grandparents for always being there for me and for continually praying for my success. And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank you, Pony Mama, for introducing me to the world of engineering and for your guidance and mentorship throughout my journey. I consider myself very fortunate to have such loving parents, grandparents, and uncles who have always inspired me to keep moving forward.
Memorable Academic Experience
One of my favorite academic experiences was in ENGR 120: Fluid Mechanics with Professor Venkattraman Ayyaswamy. One day in class, we were learning about mass flow rates when Professor Ayyaswamy brought a leaf blower to demonstrate the concept. One of the students asked him to pose for a picture with the leaf blower, and he did, which I thought was hilarious. From that moment on, Fluid Mechanics became my favorite class and a memorable academic experience.
What's Next?
After I graduate, I plan to work in the aerospace industry as a design engineer supporting the production of aircraft. In the long run, I also plan to pursue a master’s degree in either mechanical or aerospace Engineering with an emphasis in finite element analysis while continuing to work in the industry.
