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UC Riverside

Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering Graduation Celebration 2024

#bcoegrad2024

Student Program Participants

Jason Diaz
Jason Diaz

Commencement Student Speaker | Jason Diaz

What experiences at BCOE shaped you or your career?

The most impactful aspect of my BCOE experience was the collaborative environment that fostered a sense of community and support. Having the opportunity to build genuine relationships by working alongside classmates and mentors provided me with invaluable support and encouragement, which was instrumental in my personal and professional development.

What are you involved with on campus? 

During my time at BCOE, I was actively involved in student organizations, such as the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. I also had the opportunity to complete internships at Chevron and the Southern California Gas Company, where I gained experience in working with renewable energy projects, including commercial solar and hydrogen blending. These experiences sparked an interest and passion for pursuing a career in renewable energy that I was previously unaware of. 

Why are you grateful for BCOE?

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities BCOE has provided me, including volunteer opportunities, internship/networking connections, and a supportive community of like-minded individuals. These experiences have not only enriched my academic journey but have also empowered me to give back to my community. Through BCOE I have not only gained valuable knowledge and skills but also had the opportunity to meet multiple colleagues with whom I have nurtured genuine and lifelong friendships. The sense of community and camaraderie at BCOE has been truly inspiring, and I am grateful for the relationships I have built during my time here.

What are your future goals/plans?

My future goals are to transition to industry after graduation, specifically targeting a career in renewable energy. I am passionate about leveraging my technical skills to contribute to the country's transition from traditional fossil fuels to green energy alternatives. I aspire to play a role in shaping the future of sustainable energy, and I am excited about the opportunities that lay ahead in this dynamic field.

Ankita Ahluwalia
Ankita Ahluwalia

Tassel Turner | Ankita Ahluwalia

What experiences at BCOE shaped you or your career?

The experiences that shaped me include serving as a UC Big Ideas Contest Innovation Ambassador, participating in Launchpad and INNOVAR, as well as several campus innovations and entrepreneurship programs. Other experiences include being the co-founder of the Lead’R Lab and mentoring the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs, and participating in several hackathons, including being named the winner of the 2021 BioHack.

What are you involved with on campus? 

I was a Chancellor’s Research Fellow and recipient of a Donald A. Strauss Foundation grant, and I served as 2023-2024 Associated Students of UCR (ASU) president.

Why are you grateful for BCOE?

I am grateful to BCOE professors and my peers for supporting me throughout my journey!

What are your future goals/plans?

I plan on continuing to serve in various information technology roles and serving in the management of nonprofit organizations.

Chloe Georgiou
Chloe Georgiou

Undergraduate Commencement Marshal | Chloe Georgiou

What experiences at BCOE shaped you or your career?
Pursuing my bachelor’s in computer science at the University of California, Riverside, changed my life. UCR provided me with opportunities that I imagine no other institution could have ever offered me. But opportunities are easy to miss and easier to dismiss. I had to actively search for opportunities and, in some cases, make them. When I was in my second year, I received an email announcing the Chancellor’s Research Fellowship. I decided to contact Dr. Marek Chrobak [of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering] — the first professor I contacted about doing undergraduate research with — to be my faculty mentor. Amazingly, he said, “Yes.” I applied for the fellowship. However, I did not receive it. I continued doing research with Dr. Chrobak, and now I am a co-author of a paper we have published. I applied to the Chancellor’s Research Fellowship again during my third year after nearly not applying. I looked into it and I did not see any computer science student who was previously part of the program. I did not think I had a chance, but I held on to a tiny glimmer of hope and the belief that I have held with me throughout my undergraduate journey: to just try. If we don’t try, we will undoubtedly and with certainty miss our chance. After encouragement from my parents, I applied and ended up receiving it. Thus, I became the first computer science major to be selected as a Chancellor’s Research Fellow, and to conduct computer science research in that program.
 
What are you involved with on campus? 

Being part of the Chancellor’s Research Fellow (CRF) 2023-2024 cohort was one of the best experiences of my senior year at UCR. I had the opportunity to encourage other potential CRF applicants and mentor two students interested in conducting computer science research at UCR. I also hosted several events as part of the CRF program, such as the Prestigious Scholarships and Awards event, where several UCR alumni gave their input on how to receive them.

Earlier, my involvement in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) student club jump-started my undergraduate career. In my first year, during the pandemic, I attended club meetings virtually. I became the treasurer and managed the club’s budget. I processed purchase orders from student IEEE projects, usually robotics projects that required the purchase of electronic hardware. During my third year, I became the chair of the IEEE, where I honed my public speaking skills by hosting club events and advertising our organization.

During my fourth year, I was president of Tau Beta Pi (The Engineering Honor Society), the California Alpha Beta Chapter. I have actively promoted Tau Beta Pi by hosting information sessions and encouraging eligible students from diverse backgrounds to participate in the fall 2023 initiation, which had been on hold since February 2020 due to the pandemic.

Why are you grateful for BCOE?
BCOE provided me with many unique opportunities. I feel lucky that Dr. Chrobak accepted me as his undergraduate mentee researcher, and I have worked with him for the last couple of years. He is a marvelous mentor who pushed me to do my best. Dr. Chrobak introduced me to the world of research and opened up many doors for me. He is one of the reasons I will be pursuing my PhD in computer science. BCOE provided me with leadership opportunities by being involved in the IEEE student club and Tau Beta Pi.
 
What are your future goals/plans?

I will be pursuing a PhD degree in computer science at the University of California, Irvine, beginning in the fall!

 
Tyler Pastor
Tyler Pastor

Graduate Commencement Marshal | Tyler Pastor

What experiences at BCOE shaped you or your career?

During my time in the BCOE program, I have engaged in various academic activities, including undergraduate research, participation in the University Honors program, providing technical assistance to the Academic Personnel Office, and teaching nearly 500 undergraduate students.

What are you involved with on campus? 

Both my research work and University Honors capstone were concentrated on the field of bioinformatics in Dr. Paea LePendu’s research lab. I have maximized every opportunity afforded by this program, and I am confident that embracing these opportunities has played a significant part in allowing me to expand my knowledge and change my perspective on life.

Why are you grateful for BCOE?

While it has always been important for me to excel in my classes, I am more appreciative of the connections I developed. Never did I feel that I was in this program alone. As a teaching assistant, I am dedicated to furthering our students' knowledge and strengthening our community.

What are your future goals/plans?

After graduation, I intend to apply my skills in an industry setting, with the hopes that I can make a difference in many lives. I want to express my gratitude to the BCOE program and everyone who encouraged me to surpass my limits, which enabled me to finish old goals and set new ones for the future.