Student Profile – April Santillan
April Santillan is a senior at San José State University (SJSU) majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring national parks, cooking, and finding new coffee spots around the Bay Area. These activities help her balance her busy academic schedule with relaxation and exploration.
April grew up in the Bay Area and is proud to be the first in her family to attend college. Coming from a close knit family, she says, “Being able to pursue an engineering degree feels like a big accomplishment not only for me but also for my family.” Her early interest in civil engineering developed as she learned how infrastructure projects impact communities and the environment. Professors at SJSU encouraged her to take on leadership roles and look beyond the classroom, reinforcing her passion for engineering.
This past summer, April interned at the Santa Clara Valley Water District in the Construction Contracts and Support Unit. She helped review contract data, supported project documentation, and participated in field visits, including a pre-bid site visit for the Palo Alto Tide Gate Seismic Retrofit and Rehabilitation Project. Through her internship, she saw firsthand how collaboration between design, construction, and contracts teams transforms ideas into sustainable projects that make a real impact. She gained a better understanding of public agency operations and confirmed her interest in water resources and infrastructure development.
April chose Valley Water because of its mission to ensure safe, reliable water and protect the environment. She was impressed by the supportive company culture, saying, “Everyone I met was passionate about their work, willing to share knowledge, and encouraged interns to ask questions and get involved.” The experience gave her valuable insight into professional collaboration and career development.
Looking ahead, April hopes to work in water resources or transportation, contributing to projects that improve community safety and sustainability. She wants to apply her skills to create infrastructure that protects both people and the environment while making a lasting impact.
Dean’s Career Conversation: Patent Law Opportunities for Engineers
Rear center from left to right: speaker Tae-Woong Koo, Dean Sheryl Ehrman and ME Chair Hohyun Lee.
On Monday, October 27, Tae-Woong Koo from the law firm of Morgan Lewis brought the world of patent law to life for over 25 engineering students from across the chemical, electrical, materials, and software engineering departments.
A regulatory affairs professional and holder of more than 30 patents, Tae-Woong shared how engineers can turn their technical backgrounds into exciting careers as technical specialists, patent agents, and patent lawyers, and discussed what it takes to get there.
He revealed one of the biggest perks of the field: getting a first look at breakthrough technologies before they ever hit the market, and helping shape how those innovations reach the world.
Students engaged in a lively Q&A, gaining insider advice on career paths, education choices, and how to stand out in the world of intellectual property.
Join us for the next Dean’s Career Conversation on Monday, November 3, featuring Zain Zaidi, Co-founder and CEO of Transcrypts—a blockchain-powered platform giving individuals control over their verified credentials and digital identity.
Be there. Be inspired. Shape your future!
Prof. Ahmed Banafa – Quantum Computing vs Crypto
Bitcoin and Ethereum are at risk because quantum computers could break their current encryption, ECDSA, within the next decade. Mysten Labs warns that without upgrades to post-quantum cryptography, attackers could steal funds from users’ wallets. Professor Ahmed Banafa at SJSU explains that fixing this requires hard forks, which are complicated and involve creating new wallet addresses and moving funds. Some newer blockchains like Solana and Sui are better prepared because they use quantum-resistant encryption methods. Experts say the crypto community needs to act quickly, or millions of wallets could become vulnerable.
Global Technology Institute Study Abroad Program
The SJSU College of Engineering’s Global Technology Initiative (GTI) gives students a unique opportunity to gain a global perspective on technology, business, and entrepreneurship through a summer study abroad program in Taiwan. Participants get to engage in lectures, projects, field trips, and cultural experiences. All program expenses, including airfare, accommodations, and program fees, are covered by the College of Engineering, with students only responsible for food costs. To learn more about eligibility and application requirements, visit the GTI program website. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM. Apply now to seize the chance to expand your horizons!