engineering at San Jose State College Magazine

Student Profile – Bhavagyna Vegunta

As a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student at San José State University, Bhavagyna Vegunta has built her college journey around exploration, problem-solving, and hands-on experience. She has immersed herself in research, internships, and real-world engineering applications that will shape her career as she graduates this Spring semester. Outside of academics, she enjoys traveling, snowshoeing, and playing tennis.

Growing up in the Bay Area, Bhavagyna was surrounded by a supportive family who encouraged her to follow her passions. Her engineering spark began in Dr. John Lee’s microfluidics research group, where she was able to practice the fundamentals she was learning in class directly on applications. This experience led her to pursue internships in the defense and tech industries, allowing her to refine her interests in mechanical engineering.

Currently, Bhavagyna is interning at Tesla on the End-Of-Line Optimus actuators team, where she is contributing to the development of Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus. Her experience was transformative, pushing her growth as an engineer by applying problem-solving skills in a high-paced environment. Working alongside experienced engineers has deepened her technical expertise and strengthened her ability to implement real-world solutions. She appreciates the fast-paced culture at Tesla, especially within her team, as they inspired her with their dedication of pushing the technological boundaries.

To students aspiring to land similar roles, she advises them to step outside their comfort zones, stay persistent, and continuously seek learning opportunities. Another thing to think about is to schedule your classes strategically each semester. Bhavagyna was able to take on a full-time internship opportunity during the spring semester because of this.

After graduating, Bhavagyna hopes to be part of an engaging and inclusive team like the one she is currently part of. Working on Optimus has been a dream come true for her, and she envisions a future where she continues contributing to groundbreaking projects that merge engineering and innovation.

Women History Month – 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

National Archives

In honor of Women’s History Month, we want to recognize the remarkable contributions of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the “Six Triple Eight.” Composed primarily of Black women, along with members of Caribbean and Mexican descent, this battalion was the only all-Black women’s unit to serve overseas during World War II. Led by Major Charity Adams, the highest-ranking Black female officer, the 6888th was tasked with clearing a massive backlog of undelivered mail for U.S. troops stationed in Europe. Facing harsh working conditions and racial discrimination, the women of the 6888th worked tirelessly in shifts, processing over 65,000 pieces of mail per shift and boosting the morale of millions of soldiers with their motto, “No mail, low morale.”

Despite their critical role in supporting the war effort, the women of the 6888th received little recognition upon returning home in 1946. However, their legacy of perseverance and excellence was later honored with numerous accolades, including the Congressional Gold Medal awarded in 2022. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor the courage and dedication of the 6888th Battalion and their lasting impact on history. Read their full story now!

CommUniverCity Campus Tour

Over the past two weeks, CommUniverCity partnered with the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering at San José State University (SJSU) to introduce over 120 middle school students to real-world engineering applications through interactive activities. Students explored aviation and aerospace engineering by adjusting weight distributions on foam airplanes and experimented with temperature effects on polymers using Silly Putty and ice water, connecting the lesson to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. They also learned about various undergraduate majors offered by the College of Engineering, sparking curiosity about potential future careers.

Prof. Ahmed Banafa – AI Regulations

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries and societies, offering incredible advancements in healthcare, economic growth, and scientific discovery. ​ However, the lack of regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines poses significant risks, including bias, misinformation, surveillance, job displacement, cybersecurity threats, and existential dangers. Ahmed Banafa explores the urgent need for AI regulations to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical development while balancing innovation and societal values. Read the full article now!