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Student Spotlights

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  1. UC Davis College of Engineering
  2. Student Experience
  3. Student Spotlights
Collage of student photos with text on top that reads Student Spotlights

Meet Aggie Engineers

Students at the UC Davis College of Engineering impact a wide-ranging field of areas in energy, aerospace, transportation, computer science, medicine and more. Through leadership and involvement in hands-on engineering experiences, our outstanding Aggie Engineers are changing the world. Meet some of the students, clubs and teams that make up our diverse community. Learn more about their current projects, achievements and aspirations.
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From Swimming Pools to Lake Tahoe: Student Engineers Put Their Robot to Work

UC Davis students in Cyclone RoboSub are taking their autonomous underwater vehicle beyond the pool, using it to support environmental research in open waters and to educate the next generation of robotics engineers.

The student team on a small boat looking toward Lake Tahoe and lush green trees on the shoreline

Top UC Davis Graduate Journeys Through Clubs, Neurodivergence, Identity

A University of California, Davis mechanical engineering student has been named top graduating senior, earning the University Medal for academic excellence, leadership and impact in robotics, research and campus life.

Two students smiling while assembling their robosub

College of Engineering Honors its Outstanding Seniors of 2026

Each year, the UC Davis College of Engineering celebrates the graduating seniors who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic achievement and service both in and out of the classroom. These outstanding Aggie Engineers share their most impactful moments and fondest memories from their time at UC Davis.

Photo collage of 12 diverse smiling graduates in stoles on campus

Matthew Maciosek Gets His Hands Dirty to Keep Groundwater Clean

The Minnesota marshes Matthew Maciosek explored as a child are threatened by agricultural groundwater use. Now a UC Davis biological systems engineering student, he's researching sustainable irrigation practices in California's Central Valley to help protect wetlands for future generations.

Matthew Maciosek in a red shirt stands next to a white truck beside an irrigation ditch at sunset.

The Women Machinists’ Club Turns Curiosity into Confidence

Undergraduate students Lena Araya and Lydia Miteza found their way to mechanical engineering through hands-on making, mentorship and accessible spaces offered by the Women Machinists’ Club at UC Davis. Now they are leading the WMC and reshaping how students encounter engineering.

Lena Araya in protective gear works on a metal surface with welding equipment.

Blog: Rediscovering My Path as a Future Engineer and Surgeon

Aaleesha Doshi, a third-year undergraduate biomedical engineering student on the pre-medical track, reflects on how a clinical immersion experience at Aggie Square deepened her drive to become an engineer and a surgeon working to advance human health.

Three students in teal scrubs having a conversation in a hospital hallway.

Composites

Composites is a video series exploring how interdisciplinary interests and perspectives are a fulcrum for next-level research in the College of Engineering at the University of California, Davis.   

 

Watch more Composites features on YouTube

More Spotlights

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New Method Significantly Boosts AI Speed, Energy Efficiency on Existing Hardware

Research led by a UC Davis Ph.D. student shows that AI models can maintain response quality while using far less energy on existing hardware. The work received the Best Paper Award at MLSys 2026, a leading machine learning and AI systems conference.
Two presenters at podium in conference room in front of an audience

UC Davis Students Reflect on Reaching the NASA Human Lander Challenge Finals

UC Davis students Aidan Guerra and Andres Mino Cortes discuss advancing to the final phase of the 2026 NASA Human Lander Challenge, the lessons they learned from NASA engineers and how the experience is shaping the future of the Aggie Space Initiative.
Four students at table doing a demo with pipette and petri dishes

Three UC Davis Student Teams Earn Sandia Engineering Design Awards

At the 2026 Engineering Design Showcase, three teams were recognized with Sandia Engineering Design Awards for advances in aerospace, clean energy and biomedical engineering.
Club members indoors at an event

How DUEN Is Building Community and Career Success for UC Davis Engineers

Members of the Davis Undergraduate Engineering Network credit the organization with providing opportunities — from resume workshops and internship panels to large-scale engineering projects — that extend well beyond the classroom.
Large group standing and smiling in front of a blue branded backdrop

Three UC Davis Teams Win Top Awards at CITRIS Aviation Prize

UC Davis undergraduate teams captured three of four major awards in the 2025-26 CITRIS Aviation Prize, developing innovative software and simulation tools to support California’s future advanced air mobility network and electric air taxi transportation systems.
Data Pigeon co-founders Suhani Shokeen, Sina Vaghefi and Senara Millawabandara pose indoors

From Student to Startup Founder: Senara Millawabandara’s Path at UC Davis

Through leadership roles, entrepreneurship and direct experience in artificial intelligence, computer science and engineering major Senara Millawabandara found a strong sense of community and purpose at UC Davis — and a commitment to building solutions that improve people’s everyday lives.

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Student Awards

Two people posing for a photo in front of UC Davis engineering banner; female student holds a trophy

 

The College of Engineering recognizes outstanding graduate and undergraduate students with various awards honoring their dedication to their engineering careers. 

Undergraduate awards

Graduate awards

2026 University Medal

Mechanical engineering student Jason Pieck named 2026 University Medalist

A University of California, Davis mechanical engineering student has been named top graduating senior, earning the University Medal for academic excellence, leadership and impact in robotics, research and campus life.

Learn more about Pieck's accomplishment

Jason Pieck smiling outdoors in dark purple button shirt, greenery

2026 Outstanding Seniors

Guadalupe Lauro in white dress wearing UC Davis gold sash, sunlit trees behind

Guadalupe Lauro

Biochemical Engineering

Nikolas Chupkin wearing a UC Davis stole

Nikolas Chupkin

Biological Systems Engineering

Regina Rajbanshi wearing a UC Davis stole

Regina Rajbanshi

Biomedical Engineering

Emily Vong wearing a UC Davis honors stole

Emily Vong

Chemical Engineering

Natalia Wilson wearing a UC Davis stole

Natalia Wilson

Civil Engineering

Pranav Rawat wearing a UC Davis stole

Pranav Rawat

Computer Engineering

Reina Itakura wears a UC Davis stole

Reina Itakura

Computer Science

Ethan Ng wearing a UC Davis stole

Ethan Ng

Computer Science & Engineering

Hari Rakul Ambethkar wearing a UC Davis stole

Hari Rakul Ambethkar

Electrical Engineering

Keira Folkers wearing a UC Davis stole

Keira Folkers

Environmental Engineering

Aaron Diamond wear a UC Davis stole

Aaron Diamond

Materials Science and Engineering

Julian Eastman wearing a UC Davis engineering fraternity stole

Julian Eastman

Mechanical Engineering

UC Davis College of Engineering
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(530) 752-1979

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