Zachary White Goes from Screens to a Dream Career in Materials Science

After earning a bachelor's degree in television, film and new media from San Diego State University and working for 10 years in the television industry, Zachary White decided to go back to school to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming an engineer.

His search for the best engineering program brought him to the University of California, Davis, where he spent the past two years earning his Bachelor of Science in materials science and engineering, as well as a department citation for exemplary achievements and service.

As a new graduate, we spoke with White about turning challenges into opportunities and his goals of helping humanity reach further into space with next-level engineering.

What inspired you to become an engineer?

In my upbringing, I never knew any engineers. The only connection with the profession was through television or films. I really admired their ability to solve seemingly impossible problems and always wanted to achieve their level of ingenuity.

Working in the television industry, I met a lot of engineers and realized that the fantasy of engineers I had in my head was actually not far off from reality. Every engineer I met was consistently hard-working and thrived doing difficult tasks. My respect for the profession grew into my motivation to become an engineer. As I started school to become an engineer and the classes became harder and harder, the motivation I had garnered never wavered. When I thought of those engineers on the screen and at my previous employments, I knew that hard work and seemingly impossible tasks should not dissuade me, but rather encourage me.

What engineering course has particularly supported your growth and development as an Aggie Engineer?

My favorite engineering course is "Thermodynamics of Materials." It was the first and the hardest course I took at UC Davis. I remember the first exam in that class I got a D on. It was the worst grade I had ever received on an exam and made me question if I was in the right place. I thought, "If I can't even pass the first obstacle, why am I doing this?"

I sat down for a talk with the teacher of the course, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Scott McCormack, to try and understand what I was missing. He pointed out that this class was difficult, but these were the fundamental concepts every materials science engineer needs to know. It was essentially the immovable object that I had to climb; in essence, it was inevitable.

Professor McCormack would say this thing I found myself really enjoying that went something like, "These concepts are really hard to understand. Isn't it great?" I took that idea with me to every difficult concept, test and class. Those words developed a negative into a positive. It showed that this is not an easy thing to do in life so it should be respected and enjoyed for that reason. I ended that class with a B overall, and I am very proud of that grade. It might not be that difficult for everyone, but it was my largest challenge.

What clubs and activities on campus have impacted your education?

One of my greatest interests is space and space travel. At the beginning of my time at UC Davis, I joined the Space and Satellite Systems Club. Eventually, I became a co-lead of the thermal analysis sub-team in the club. My team and I studied and modeled the thermal effects on a small satellite in low earth orbit. We presented a poster at the 2023 and 2024 Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Conferences, where the work done by the club was showcased to industry professionals and academics.

I was also fortunate enough to be a part of Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Seung Sae Hong's research group studying 2D nanomaterials called Transition Metal Dichalcogenides, or TMDCs. This research has opened my eyes to the extremely exciting world of 2D materials and has been an irreplaceable part of my learning at UC Davis. I was able to work under a master's student and begin a small research project from that. I am very thankful to Professor Hong for the opportunity.

What achievements or highlights from your time at UC Davis are you particularly proud of?

The moment I was clean room certified was a very impactful moment for me. Having access to and being able to learn about the many impressive machines in the Center for Nano-Micromanufacturing, or CNM2, has certainly been a highlight for me. As an undergrad here, I found it very easy to follow any passion I had.

What is next for you in your engineering journey?

As an Aggie engineer, I hope to bring my knowledge and skills to a job in the Bay Area while my fiancé attends UC Berkeley. If the future allows, I would love to continue my education by pursuing a Ph.D. in materials science to further enforce my skills and aptitude in the field. My ultimate goal would be to help humanity reach further into space than ever before.