Three engineering students stand outside for a portrait

Student Spotlights

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.

Student Spotlights

Calum Shelden wears PPR and works in a lab with a large microscope

Controlling the (Casimir) Force

  • by Grace Call
As researchers continue to shrink the size of mechanical devices, controlling the Casimir force has become the first priority. At UC Davis, Calum Shelden, a Ph.D. candidate in electrical and computer engineering, is beginning groundbreaking experimentation to test the theories.
The UC Davis EcoCAR poses with Nebula, their modified 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ

Blog: UC Davis EcoCAR Builds Momentum at Year 3 Competition

  • by Riddhi Puranik
UC Davis EcoCAR reached new milestones at this year's challenge, earning top awards for energy efficiency and design. From high-speed tests to teamwork under pressure, communications manager Riddhi Puranik shares how the team proved they're ready to accelerate into Year 4.
Saha crouched on a track to begin running

Piecing Together Undergraduate Life

  • by Grace Call
After a traumatic brain injury, computer science and engineering student Ayush Saha rebuilt his life and launched a mission to solve real-world problems through data, teamwork and code. At UC Davis, he’s flipped setbacks into strength — both in the lab and on the mat.
A large group of Chem-E-Car members stand together outdoors near a sculpture, one person in the middle holds the car

Chem-E-Car Gains Momentum

  • by Jessica Heath
After a pandemic pause, UC Davis students are catalyzing a rebuild of Chem-E-Car from the ground up — gel-powered engines, team chemistry and all. With lessons learned and eyes on next year's prize, they are engineering progress, one chemical reaction at a time.
A view of the sunset over the ocean

Sailing Across STEMSEAS

  • by Matt Marcure
Computer science and engineering student Siena Marois wants to advance ocean conservation with next-level robotics. In pursuit of that goal, she recently participated in STEAMSEAS, an exclusive opportunity for undergraduates to gain practical knowledge during a six-day cruise on an offshore research vessel.
A young man with red hair wears an apron and stands in a welding studio

Where Art Meets Alloy

  • by Grace Call
At UC Davis, a new bladesmithing club is forging more than knives. Led by materials science and engineering major Aaron Diamond, the team is (literally) sharpening hands-on skills and crafting connections.
Kaia Wolfe crouching with a tennis racket

Playing Doubles

  • by Lesly Contreras
Kaia Wolfe, a third-year mechanical engineering student aces the balance between her passions for outer space and being a Division I tennis player.