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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!

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SJSU Day of Giving

SJSU’s 1857 Minutes of Giving is on March 11-12, and we’re aiming to make the most of this incredible opportunity. Mark your calendar and join us in making a positive impact on our SJSU community. Your support will help us achieve our goals and contribute to the thriving community we all cherish. We appreciate your consideration and support. Together, let’s make SJSU’s 1857 Minutes of Giving a success and bring our project to life!

Student Profile – Caroline Glaser

Caroline Glaser, a junior mechanical engineering student at San José State University, believes that engineering is more than just equations and theoretical models—it’s a tool for real-world problem-solving and sustainability. Currently, she is working at the Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC), a program under the US Department of Energy where she provides energy assessments to manufacturers to optimize energy efficiency in their operations. Caroline also leads the newly founded Fixit Clinic at SJSU, applying her engineering knowledge in ways that make a tangible impact. Outside of academics, she finds balance through music, playing guitar, piano, bass, and drums to clear her mind and focus.

A native of the East Bay in the San Francisco Bay Area, Caroline comes from a family deeply rooted in education and science. She grew up surrounded by curiosity and problem-solving, and her fascination with how everyday objects function led her to mechanical engineering—a field that blends science, creativity, and problem-solving to improve daily life. As one of the 12% of women in SJSU’s mechanical engineering department, Caroline is motivated to push boundaries and make meaningful contributions to the industry.

Inspired by her experiences attending repair events hosted by the Fixit Clinic and seeing how everyday objects are designed internally, she recognized the need for engineering students to engage with real-world applications beyond theoretical coursework. After reaching out to Fixit Clinic’s founder, she was given the opportunity to establish a branch at SJSU, where students and community members can repair broken household items while developing their technical skills. She stated, “I believe that understanding how and why everyday objects fail can help future engineers design more durable and sustainable products.”

The first Fixit Clinic event was a resounding success, with 20 Fixit Coaches and student volunteers repairing over 35 items. Caroline played a pivotal role in organizing the event, recruiting volunteers, coordinating logistics, outreach with faculty and staff to promote the event, and now forging partnerships with the City of San José to expand the clinic’s impact beyond campus. Seeing students grow in confidence in their hands-on problem-solving skills and repairing everyday items has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her leadership.
These experiences taught Caroline how to think critically, handle unexpected changes, and work collaboratively in a team, “while technical knowledge is the foundation of engineering, I’ve learned that being able to clearly explain complex concepts and collaborate with others is equally as important,” she says.

For future leaders of the Fixit Clinic, Caroline emphasizes the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and interdisciplinary partnerships. Bringing together engineers, marketing students, and event management teams has strengthened the clinic’s reach and will obtain the Clinic’s long-term success. Looking ahead, she envisions herself working on projects that challenge her technically, fosters innovation in a team setting, and experiences meaningful change in people’s lives with the project.

With a strong foundation in hands-on learning, sustainability, and leadership, Caroline Glaser is guiding future engineering from the classroom and into the real world with one repaired coffee maker at a time.

Interested in joining? Check out SJSU FixItClinic’s Instagram page now!

The Inventions of Women

Olga Gonzalez-Sanabria, a Puerto Rican scientist and engineer, was crucial in developing long-lasting nickel-hydrogen batteries for the International Space Station. As a leader at NASA, her contributions improved battery efficiency, enabling spacecraft and satellites to store and use energy more effectively in space, which is a vital factor in sustaining human space exploration.

Florence Parpart, an American inventor, patented the modern electric refrigerator in 1914. Her invention revolutionized food preservation and household convenience. It replaced the icebox, making it easier for families to store food safely for longer periods.

Ellen Ochoa, an astronaut and optical engineer, co-invented an optical analysis system that enhances image processing to detect flaws in repeating patterns. This innovation has improved quality control in manufacturing and space-based imaging. Ochoa later became the first Hispanic woman in space and the first female director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Swiss physicist Ursula Keller invented the semiconductor saturable-absorber mirror (SESAM), a breakthrough in ultrafast laser technology. This innovation allows lasers to produce extremely short pulses, which are essential in fields like telecommunications, medical imaging, and precision manufacturing. Keller’s work has significantly advanced laser technology, making high-speed optical applications more efficient and accessible.

Sensate AI: Revolutionizing Human-Machine Interaction with Multisensory Intelligence – Prof Ahmed Banafa

What if artificial intelligence (AI) could see, hear, touch, taste, and talk to experience the world just like we do? Enter Sensate AI, a groundbreaking leap that blurs the line between machine and human perception. With advanced sensory capabilities inspired by the human brain, this AI can navigate environments, interpret emotions, engage in natural conversations, and even “taste” chemical compositions. The endless possibilities in healthcare diagnostics to immersive education and creative expression.

Read the full article to explore the future of AI-human interaction.

engineering at San Jose State College Magazine

Read the Latest Issue of the College of Engineering Magazine

SJSU Day of Giving

SJSU’s 1857 Minutes of Giving is on March 11-12, and we’re aiming to make the most of this incredible opportunity. Mark your calendar and join us in making a positive impact on our SJSU community. Your support will help us achieve our goals and contribute to the thriving community we all cherish. We appreciate your consideration and support. Together, let’s make SJSU’s 1857 Minutes of Giving a success and bring our project to life!

Student Profile – Christian Alonso Catano

For Christian Alonso Catano, a first-year master’s student in the Biomedical Engineering SAGE program at San José State University, engineering is more than just a career—it’s a calling. With a deep passion for research and mentorship, Christian has been walking on a path of leadership and academic excellence for the past five years. Outside of SJSU, he enjoys watching anime, reading manga, spending time with family and friends, and keeping up with the English Premier League and the Colombian National Team.

Born and raised in Ventura, California, to Colombian immigrant parents, Christian is the first in his family to pursue higher education. After finishing his master’s, he also plans to pursue his Ph.D. His fascination with biomedical engineering research as a career was sparked by his work in Dr. Patrick Jurney’s lab, where he discovered the profound impact of treating diseases.

Christian’s leadership within the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) has been transformative. He was once the president of the Boys and Girls Club’s Keystone Club in high school but after the pandemic, his social skills declined. However, after he joined the BMES club, he was not only able to regain but improve his confidence and social interaction, thanks to the connection he formed with other members.

His position as Vice President of Conference saw him take on the monumental task of organizing the 2024 Bay Area Biomedical Device Conference, an experience he describes as both challenging and rewarding. Through months of meticulous planning and collaboration with a dedicated team, he helped deliver a successful conference that left a lasting impact on the BMES community. He acknowledged that the event would not have been successful without the amazing group leads and volunteers he had. “I owe the conference’s success to them,” he says.

Beyond academics, Christian is deeply passionate about mentorship. As a teaching assistant for multiple BME courses and the head of Dr. Jurney’s research lab, he has since honed his guidance and technical skills. He strives to make complex concepts accessible and fosters an environment of learning and support not just in the classroom but also for BMES club members.

As he prepares to pass the baton to new leadership in BMES, Christian’s advice to future leaders is that the success of one is built on teamwork and communication. “A leader is only as successful as those they are surrounded by,” he says. “My greatest successes have come from working with an incredible team, and my biggest challenges were when I tried to do everything myself.”

In the future, Christian envisions himself earning his Ph.D. and making significant contributions to mechanobiology research with multiple successful publications. He hopes to inspire future engineers, particularly Latino and first-generation students, proving that graduate school and research are achievable paths. “There aren’t many Latino BME professors,” he notes, “and I will feel immense pride in holding that title. I hope it encourages others to follow their own unique paths, whether in academia or industry.”

Science Extravaganza: Igniting the Spark for the Next Generation of STEM Leaders

SOLES Team Members at Science Extravaganza 2025. Photo courtesy of Shelby Matthews.

The Society of Latino Engineers and Scientists (SOLES) recently hosted its 26th annual Science Extravaganza (SE) at San José State University (SJSU), drawing over 300 middle school students from underserved communities across the city of San Jose. This long-running event continues to inspire young minds to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by providing hands-on workshops and showcasing the diverse opportunities in these fields. This is especially crucial in our current climate where STEM representation is particularly important.

The event took place in various spaces across SJSU, including the Student Union ballroom, meeting rooms, and also College of Engineering classrooms. Young students had the rare opportunity to experience college life firsthand while engaging in exciting workshops facilitated by industry professionals and student volunteers.

Excitement was in the air with students expressing how much they enjoyed the hands-on activities. For some, this was their first engaging exposure to STEM. Teachers in attendance noted how grateful and motivated their students felt after participating in the event. For parents, it was impactful to see firsthand the potential of STEM opportunities that can be made available to their children. With SE providing such an inspiring experience, the event motivated middle schoolers to consider careers in engineering and science, helping them see how these fields could be a reality for them.

The SOLES team attributed a lot of the event’s success to the generous support from industry professionals and volunteers. There were volunteers from SJSU’s College of Engineering as well as from major industry players like Apple, NASA Ames, VISA, Applied Materials, and the Intuitive Foundation. Representatives from these companies led workshops, showcased their expertise, and are great examples showing students that careers in STEM are attainable and can be exciting.

While SE 2025 was a great success, organizers are already thinking ahead to next year. Expanding outreach to more schools, and involving even more volunteers and industry partners are some of the key goals for SE 2026. For the students who attended, the event was not just an exciting day of learning—it was the beginning of a new chapter where they could see themselves as the engineers, scientists, and innovators of tomorrow.

Women’s History Month

Source: Wyld Networks

Hedy Lamarr, born in Austria in 1914, was a Hollywood actress celebrated for her beauty and captivating performances, but few recognize her as a brilliant inventor. Raised in a Jewish family with a banker father and a pianist mother, she displayed early intellectual curiosity in both the arts and sciences. After fleeing an unhappy marriage in 1937, she moved to Hollywood and became a major film star. However, her passion for innovation never faded, and during World War II, she co-invented a groundbreaking technology known as “frequency hopping.”

Working alongside composer George Antheil, Lamarr devised a system that rapidly switched radio frequencies to prevent enemy jamming of Allied torpedoes. Inspired by the mechanics of player pianos, they created a synchronized pattern for transmitters and receivers to communicate securely. Though the U.S. Navy did not immediately implement their invention, the technology later became the foundation for modern wireless communications, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

Despite her revolutionary work, Lamarr received little recognition in her lifetime and never profited from her invention. It wasn’t until 2014—14 years after her passing—that she was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Today, her contributions continue to inspire engineers and scientists, proving that innovation can come from unexpected places.

Read the full story now!

Is Apple’s $500 Billion AI Bet A Smart Strategy Or Overhyped AI Escalation? – featuring Prof. Ahmed Banafa

Apple’s surprise $500 billion AI investment signals a major shift in its strategy, positioning the company as a serious player in the AI arms race alongside Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. But is this massive spending spree sustainable? Professor Banafa highlighted concerns about overhyped AI expectations, energy constraints, and supply chain challenges that could impact Apple’s long-term success.

Read the full article for insights into what Apple’s bold move really means.

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Student Profile – Alexander Wiley

Alexander Wiley is a current senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He previously interned at Lucid as a Technical Program Manager and led the Black Alliance of Scientists and Engineers as president. From transfer students to student-athletes to club leaders, Alex is dedicated to giving back to the community and setting an example for Black adolescents to overcome any doubts they may have. Check out his full interview now!

Black History Month

Mary Jackson

Mary Jackson earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and physical science from Hampton University in 1942. Later, she became the first Black female engineer at NASA, making significant contributions to aerodynamics research. Her work helped improve the safety and performance of various aircraft. Her story was later adapted into a book and movie, Hidden Figures, paving the way for young Black girls to dream of what was once thought impossible.

Guion Bluford Jr.

Guion Bluford Jr. was the first African American astronaut to travel to space. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. In 1978, he was selected as one of the 35 individuals out of 10,000 applicants in NASA’s competition to become an astronaut. In 1983, he traveled to space under the STS-8 mission on the Orbiter Challenger, setting new heights for young black astronauts.

Ursula Burns

Ursula Burns made history in 2009 when she became the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company as the CEO of Xerox. With her background in mechanical engineering, she joined Xerox in 1980, working her way up through the company and eventually driving significant innovation and transformation. Her leadership was instrumental in the company’s shift from a traditional photocopying company to a leader in digital document solutions. She is also known for advocating for diversity in the workplace and is a trailblazer for Black women in corporate America.

Hugh G. Robinson

In 1978, Hugh G. Robinson became the first Black general in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He graduated from West Point in 1954 with a master’s in civil engineering from MIT. He served as a military aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson, the first Black person to hold that role. He later commanded the Southwestern Division and retired as a major general in 1983. Beyond his military career, Robinson became a vice president at Southland Corporation and served as chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. He was deeply involved in various civic and professional organizations, leaving a lasting impact on both the military and civilian sectors before his death in 2010.

AI Talks with Silicon Valley Expert: $500B Stargate, Tech Hiring & Future! Ft. Dr Ahmed Banafa!

In a recent interview with YouTuber @SinghinUSA, Professor Ahmed Banafa explores the future of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and cybersecurity, discussing Bitcoin’s value, the U.S.’s crypto strategy, and the rising threats of deepfakes and AI-driven misinformation. He highlights the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity and AI expertise to navigate these challenges.

Watch the full interview to gain insight and navigate these challenges.

Student Profile – Alec Jaculina

Alec Jaculina graduated from San José State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s in Industrial and Systems Engineering. He is currently a second-year graduate student pursuing a master’s in Human Factors and Ergonomics, with a focus on User Experience. Outside of the classroom, Alec enjoys drawing, gardening, architecture, learning about art history, and discovering new food spots.

As a Bay Area native in a family of eight, Alec and his siblings are proud to be the first generation in his family to attend college. The path to a higher education challenged Alec to overcome his difficulties with mathematics, which ultimately became the driving force behind his decision to major in engineering.

During his time at Mission College, he worked 1:1 with a professor who guided him through his pre-algebra class. His professor not only gave him the time and space to solve math problems but also helped build the confidence he needed to major in engineering. Alec emphasizes that we all have the capabilities of doing something — it just takes the right people to bring it out of us.

Being a recipient of the Silicon Valley Engineering, Future of Silicon Valley, Dean’s Student, and CSU Foundation’s Howard C. Christiansen Endowed Scholarship has been a tremendous help to his academic journey. Alec expresses that, “Without the generosity of the donors I would not have been able to achieve my bachelor’s and master’s.” He adds that thanks to the generosity of the donors, he was able to “Purely focus on my studies and find internships to help me achieve my goals.” These resources eased the financial stress on Alec and his family, allowing him to truly appreciate the value of education and a promising future that can unlock new opportunities.

Throughout his time as an engineering student, Alec developed valuable skills and lessons. Among the most impactful skills he developed was the art of collaboration with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Alec emphasized that the key to success in team projects is building personal connections with peers and understanding their past experiences to utilize their strengths for project success.

Reflecting on his journey, these are the pieces of advice Alec would give his younger self:
1. Hold yourself with confidence and surround yourself with like-minded, goal-oriented people.
2. Study hard — it will be worth it in the end.
3. Network, network, network — success is rarely achieved alone.

Currently a Human Factors Engineering Co-op at Insulet, Alec is working on studies to improve the usability of medical products. His goal is to drive the development of user-friendly medical devices that enhance the patient experience and he is committed to ensuring that these technologies are intuitive, accessible, and effective for diverse groups of users. Alec’s work is helping to shape the future of healthcare, where new technology leads to better outcomes for all patients.

Black History Month

Henry Ford Collection/Public Domain

Elijah McCoy was a Canadian-American engineer whose ingenuity transformed the railroad and manufacturing industries. Born on May 2, 1844, in Colchester, Ontario, Canada, to formerly enslaved parents who escaped from Kentucky via the Underground Railroad.

In 1847, the McCoy family returned to the United States, settling in Ypsilanti, Michigan. At 15 years old, Elijah traveled to Scotland for an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering and earned his certification before returning home to Michigan. However, despite his qualifications, racial discrimination prevented him from securing a professional engineering position.

This led him to become a fireman and oilman for the Michigan Central Railroad. While working these jobs, he identified a critical problem with locomotive machinery requiring frequent stops for manual oiling, leading to inefficiencies and delays. In 1872, he developed an automatic lubricating device that applied oil continuously to moving parts, revolutionized steam engines, and was widely adopted across industries, earning him multiple patents.

As Elijah advanced in his career, he secured nearly 60 patents, primarily focused on lubrication systems. At one point, he held the record for the most patents granted to any Black inventor. Despite his groundbreaking contributions, his name was often absent from the products he created. Due to limited capital, he was unable to manufacture his lubricators on a large scale and instead sold his patents to employers or investors. Nevertheless, the superior quality and reliability of his inventions led to the popularization of the phrase “The Real McCoy,” signifying authenticity and excellence.

In 1922, Elijah and his wife, Mary Eleanor Delaney, were involved in an automobile accident. Mary died, and Elijah survived with critical injuries and eventually passed away on October 10, 1929.

For all the engineering students we hope Elijah McCoy’s story serves as an inspiration for you to keep pushing forward and strive beyond the road he paved. This Black History Month, we honor Elijah’s legacy and celebrate the countless contributions of Black engineers who continue to shape the future of the world.

Read more about Elijah McCoy.

SWE Event

SWE members gathered on February 12 for their Gearring Making Socials event where the club creates earrings out of separate items that are purchased. These items are assembled to create earrings, hence the Gearing name for the event. For members, it was an opportunity to get creative with their hands, crafting unique gear earrings, and connect with fellow members. As a side benefit, the club gets to practice their manufacturing skills. The tables where the earrings were being created were made up of sorting, assembly, and packaging sections. The proceeds of the merchandise go towards reimbursing members for club expenses. Keep up the creative work SWE!

SVLS Recap

On Thursday, February 13 the SVLS speaker series kicked off with Madhubala Ayyam Perumal. She is the Lead Project Designer at Five Design Architecture and Interiors, and an Associate Director at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) California.

Madhubala is an immigrant from India who received a master’s degree in architecture engineering and is involved with interior design for the healthcare industry. In her talk with SJSU students, she emphasized the importance of getting out of one’s comfort zone and going after what you are passionate about.

She discussed what makes a good or a bad space, and that an area you design should go beyond the aesthetics and be made functional. In closing, she encouraged students to give back through mentoring when established in a career and to allow themselves to dream. Madhubala was gracious with her time and stayed after the session to speak with students one-on-one.

The next SVLS talk will happen on Thursday, February 27 at 12 pm with speaker Chris Eidler who is a Corporate Advisor driving AI Infrastructure innovation for large enterprises. SVLS is open to all students so come listen, learn, and increase your professional network.

Retail theft keeps rising in the Bay Area. Now AI is helping some owners stop thieves – featuring Prof. Ahmed Banafa

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

As retail theft surges across California, small business owners are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to fight back. Troy Welch, owner of Laurel Ace Hardware in East Oakland, has seen it all—from threats of violence to brazen break-ins—but AI-powered surveillance software from Veesion has helped cut shoplifting incidents in half. This innovative technology analyzes security footage for suspicious movements and alerts store employees in real time. Professor Banafa sees this as a prime example of how AI can impact the real world. With retail theft at record highs, AI tools like this are becoming essential for businesses trying to survive.

Read the full article to explore how AI is reshaping the fight against shoplifting.