Student Profile – Fernando Sánchez López
Fernando “Ferch” Sanchez Lopez is a senior computer en
gineering student. After growing up in Mexico and reuniting with his mother in the U.S. at 18, Ferch went on to pursue higher education at the College of Marin before transferring to San José State University, describing his SJSU experience as transformative, challenging, and inspiring. After facing the challenges of adapting to a new culture, he affirmed to supporting underrepresented communities in STEM, and his leadership involvement with organizations like the Society of Latino Engineers and Scientists (SOLES) and MESA. Since receiving the Harry Wong Scholarship, his plans to pursue graduate school seem more within reach, and he strives to inspire future generations by bridging STEM education with social justice.
Cloudathon
Collage Image (Photo credit – Vinhson Nguyen)
On Saturday, April 26, the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering at San José State University hosted the inaugural Cloudathon@SJSU, a fast-paced cloud computing competition that brought together students, faculty, and professionals from Amazon’s AWS Cloud team. The event welcomed over 100 students from diverse academic backgrounds to compete in two core categories: Cloud Computing and Computer Networks. Working in teams, students faced real-world technical challenges designed to simulate the kinds of scenarios professionals encounter in industry, using Amazon Web Services (AWS) tools and infrastructure.
For students like Ena Macahiya, Izabella Doser, Arianna Gonzales, and Arian Bahram, Cloudathon was both a chance to explore new technical skills and a fun way to connect with friends while gaining hands-on experience with Amazon’s cloud tools.
The event was spearheaded in part by Richard Grotegut, a lecturer at SJSU and a pivotal figure in launching the college’s networking curriculum. For Grotegut, Cloudathon is more than just a competition—it’s a bridge to industry realities. “This is a glimpse into the real world for students and gives them an opportunity to face challenges that they have to overcome,” he explained. With the success and high energy of this first event, Grotegut and the organizing team hope to establish Cloudathon as an annual tradition, helping students develop both technical and collaborative skills in a fast-evolving digital landscape.
Grad Slam Winner
The SJSU Grad Slam is an annual competition that showcases the innovative research and graduate students’ projects in a dynamic, engaging format. Participants deliver a three-minute presentation on their research to a diverse audience, aiming to communicate complex ideas in an accessible way. This year’s first-place winner, Tomy Tran, who is pursuing a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, impressed the judges with his research on using electric vehicles (EVs) to power homes. His innovative software tool could make EVs a practical solution during power outages, promoting both sustainability and energy independence. Congratulations Tomy!
Watch his full presentation now.
API & SWANA Heritage Month – Ankit Upadhyay
Image (Courtesy of Mahmood Hossain, Masala)
In honor of AAPI Month, we celebrate Ankit Upadhyay, a distinguished entrepreneur and a San José State University alum holding a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Systems Engineering. His journey started from the heart of Delhi to Silicon Valley and now to Southeast Asia. As the Founder of A2D Ventures and Senior Advisor at McKinsey, Ankit excels across technology, finance, and venture capital industries. During his time in the Bay Area, where he pivoted from engineering to business consulting, he was driven by a passion for solving complex problems and building sustainable businesses.
Ankit’s work in Thailand has enabled him to significantly impact the startup ecosystem, assisting local entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses globally through mentorship and capital access. At A2D Ventures, he focuses on democratizing venture capital access for Southeast Asian startups, helping them secure early-stage funding from angel investors and global networks. His diverse experience with firms like McKinsey, SanDisk, and Shopee has equipped him with operational experience and cultural dynamics of the region. Ankit recognizes the crucial role of startups in driving economic growth and job creation, particularly in emerging markets like Thailand. His journey highlights the power of combining technical expertise with strategic insight, offering invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs at SJSU and beyond.
Spartan Racing EV and Baja Club Reveal
The Spartan Racing and Baja teams recently took over a private auto enthusiast club at an undisclosed location on the Peninsula, drawing a crowd eager to catch a glimpse of their latest engineering feats. Both teams proudly showcased their vehicles and the upgrades that set them apart this season.
The Baja team highlighted their car’s new all-wheel drive system, along with a series of performance and durability enhancements aimed at conquering off-road challenges. Meanwhile, the Spartan Racing team drew attention to their upgraded electric vehicle (EV) powertrain, as well as the extensive work put into refining the vehicle’s aerodynamic package.
The racing team’s newest additions include a set of carefully designed aerodynamic components—rear spoilers, front splitters, and other flow-control devices—all engineered to improve stability and downforce at high speeds by optimizing how air moves around the car’s body.
If OpenAI Buys Chrome, AI May Rule Web Browsing – featuring Prof. Ahmed Banafa
Reports reveal that OpenAI may seek to acquire Google’s Chrome browser if regulators force a divestiture, a move experts say could reshape the internet and AI landscape forever. With Chrome’s 3.3 billion users, OpenAI could embed AI directly into everyday browsing, but experts like Professor Banafa warn it risks simply swapping one tech monopoly for another. This could be a bold move that sparks innovation or triggers new concerns over competition, privacy, and power. Read the full article to find out what’s at stake.
College of Engineering GO Program to Conclude This Semester
The College of Engineering’s GO Program will officially conclude at the end of this semester. Designed to encourage student engagement through events and activities, the program has provided students with opportunities to earn points toward a variety of prizes.
Students who have accumulated 30 points or more are encouraged to redeem their points for rewards as outlined on the CoE GO Program webpages by May 1st.
For details on available prizes and the redemption process, please visit the GO Program section on the College of Engineering website or fill out this form. Don’t miss your chance to claim your rewards before the semester wraps up!