Hailing from San Jose, California, Flores reflects on her time at the UC Davis College of Engineering with fond memories. Her favorite memories include going bowling with other Aggie Engineers after presenting large projects and being inspired by engineering professors who show passion for the field.
As a first-generation college student, Man Yu, a graduating senior in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, or ECE, knew he had to do something incredible to make his family proud. When he was in high school weighing his career pathway options, his parents encouraged him to choose ECE.
For Joseph Morrison, a graduating senior in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, or BME, this Saturday’s commencement ceremony is just the beginning of his educational journey. After graduation, he plans on earning his MD and Ph.D., which will take him eight to nine years.
Where many might fear failure, Muhammad D Arshad, a graduating senior studying civil engineering, embraces it. He believes that failure, combined with a bit of hope, will result in success.
Our next #SeniorSpotlight is Derek Lee, a computer engineering major and Class of 2020 graduate!
One of Derek’s favorite memories from his time at UC Davis was working with the College of Engineering and his professors to sponsor SacHacks, the first major intercollegiate hackathon in the Sacramento area, as that made him feel closer to the faculty.
Derek starts his software engineering job in January and his advice to incoming engineering students is to focus on extracurricular activities if you do not plan on going to grad school.
Our first #SeniorSpotlight is Zoren Habana, a mechanical and aerospace engineering Class of 2020 graduate! Some of Zoren’s favorite memories were made in the Bainer Hall computer lab, where he solidified many friendships with fellow engineers.
“I would spend nights at the computer lab finishing up homework and projects, but it wasn't so bad since I was around my friends and colleagues,” said Zoren. “I cherish the memories I made in the computer lab because of how much time I spent there struggling with my colleagues to get work done. Misery definitely loves company.”
Tomoya Otsuka is a fourth-year mechanical engineering student at UC Davis. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school either in Sweden or Switzerland to focus on developing fast and efficient railway systems and learn more about sustainable engineering.
As someone who has seen much of the world after living in Japan and Australia for 15 years before coming to the U.S., Tomoya will always remember the memories he made at UC Davis.
Reiko Yoshizawa is finishing her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at UC Davis. After graduating, she will start a full-time job as a manufacturing engineer at the medical device company Penumbra.
One of her favorite memories from her time at the College of Engineering was building a gearbox that could carry a couple of textbooks up a ramp in her mechanical design class. Reiko and her friends faced a myriad of challenges when manufacturing and assembling the components, but she enjoyed the work and it was rewarding to see the final project in action.
Reca M. Caballero is a biomedical engineering student at UC Davis and is our 2020 M.S. Ghausi Medal award winner. The award, named for former College of Engineering dean, Mohammed S. Ghausi, is the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating senior in engineering.
Some of Reca’s favorite memories from the College of Engineering was representing the Biomedical Engineering Society and volunteering at Decision Day.
Melissa Johnson is graduating with degrees in mechanical engineering and design. After graduation, she plans to start working in either design consulting or STEM education, ideally at a job where she can use both of her degrees, before returning to higher education to get her master’s.
