Student Profile – Joshua Bermea
Joshua Bermea graduated from San José State University (SJSU) in Civil Engineering last year and is currently in his first year of the Civil Engineering master program. The outdoors has always been a source of inspiration for him. From finding the most picturesque hiking spots in the Bay Area or playing basketball with friends, his love for recreation is what drives his passion for civil engineering.
Since elementary school Joshua already knew what he wanted– he wrote he would earn his civil engineering degree from SJSU when an assignment asked him to envision his future. Mathematics was his favorite subject because of how it could be applied to real-world challenges to solve problems. He soon realized engineering would give him a sense of purpose—allowing him to combine his analytical skills with his desire to make a tangible impact on society.
Growing up in the Seven Trees neighborhood of San Jose, his family instilled in him the values of resilience and determination. As the first in his immediate family to pursue an engineering degree, he had to navigate the college roadmap largely on his own. However, these experiences only strengthened his skills to succeed—not just for himself but to inspire others in his community.
Joshua’s hands-on experience in civil engineering began with an internship at Valley Water, where he worked in the Asset Management Unit assessing Santa Clara County’s creeks and water infrastructure. His role involved reviewing old engineering documents, legal memos, and inspector data to evaluate the condition of key assets. The experience exposed him to the critical role engineers play in managing natural resources and sustaining communities. His second internship with a general contractor introduced him to the fast-paced world of construction, where he worked closely with project engineers and superintendents on document submissions and requests for information.
Now, as a graduate student intern with the City of San Jose’s Department of Public Works, he is actively involved in the Capital Improvement Program for one of the largest wastewater treatment plants on the West Coast, which is undergoing an estimated $1.4 billion in renovations. Reflecting on his experiences and the importance of these projects for community development, Joshua said, “Infrastructure and resources of an area has a big impact on the success of the community.”
Joshua values his core civil engineering courses at SJSU for providing real-world context on a daily basis. He highlights CE 162 – Structural Concrete Design, for its emphasis on technical application, teamwork, and communication—key skills for the professional world. The course’s collaborative project mirrored real engineering work, reinforcing coordination, problem-solving, and effective knowledge sharing, which he continues to apply and refine in his career.
His advice for those seeking internships is to engage in clubs, competitions, and projects that showcase your technical and soft skills. “This will showcase both your interest and initiative in that industry,” Joshua said. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to professionals in your field—many are willing to share advice and open doors for you.”
In five years, Joshua envisions himself as a licensed professional engineer working on large-scale infrastructure projects that improve community resources. His dream is to use his expertise in project management and design to develop sustainable solutions that benefit both the environment and the public. Additionally, he hopes to give back by teaching as a part-time faculty member, guiding the next generation of engineers, and sharing the knowledge he has gained.
Black History Month – Black Aerospace Engineer
Charlie Cheathem (left) and his goddaughter Joanne Higgins (right) Courtesy of LAist
Charlie Cheathem was a Black aerospace engineer, who worked at North American Aviation in Downey in the 1960s during the Apollo missions. He overcame racial discrimination in the field despite federal orders promoting equal employment. Black engineers like Charlie faced disrespect, lower pay, and company surveillance.
Even with all these challenges, he persisted and played a crucial role in configuration management that monitored and controlled changes to performance, and functional and physical characteristics for the Apollo program. His colleagues, Shelby Jacobs and Nate LeVert, also made significant contributions. Shelby developed the camera system that captured the first images of Earth’s curvature from space, giving us new capabilities to conduct space research, while Nate designed the engine propellant system for the Saturn V’s second-stage rocket, bringing us closer to space exploration.
Quantum Computing’s First Real-World Applications in 2025 – Prof. Ahmed Banafa
Quantum computing is no longer just a futuristic concept—2025 marks the year it moves from theory to real-world impact. Industry leaders like Google, IBM, and innovative startups are using quantum breakthroughs to revolutionize drug discovery, optimize global logistics, and redefine cybersecurity. From accelerating pharmaceutical research to solving complex supply chain challenges and securing data against cyber threats, quantum technology is set to transform multiple industries. With these advancements come challenges in scalability, stability, and security. Read the full article to explore the tech-changing applications shaping our future.
For junior mechanical engineering major Genevieve Larkin, the pursuit of academic excellence and athletic achievement go hand in hand. As a first-generation college student from Oceanside, California, Genevieve has always been drawn to both science and the water—a passion that has shaped her journey at San José State University. Being in the women’s water polo team, she has embraced the challenge of balancing rigorous coursework with a demanding training schedule.
A new Chinese AI startup, DeepSeek, is shaking up the tech world by surpassing ChatGPT on the Apple App Store and offering a cost-effective alternative to U.S. models like OpenAI by using only relevant data sets, cutting down costs. 
Dhruv Varshney is a senior at San José State University majoring in Computer Engineering, and on track to graduate in May 2025. He was born and raised in India but moved to the U.S. shortly after. As an immigrant student, his determination to excel is fueled by the sacrifices and the support his family made for his academic pursuit and passion.
On Saturday, December 7 engineering students from SJSU, Florida Polytechnic University, Chicago Computer Systems Institute, West Valley Mission College, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Kansas, University of Colorado at Boulder, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, University of Cincinnati, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, Brigham Young University, Grossmont College, University of Minnesota, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Clarkson University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UC Santa Cruz, California State University San Marcos, California State University Chico and Cal Poly Pomona, competed in a printed circuit board (PCB) hackathon.
As the semester comes to a close, mechanical engineering seniors had an opportunity to present to alumni, family, friends, and faculty. The presentations gave students a taste of what it would be like to pitch their efforts in a real-world scenario. Along with advisors, students also had a mentor to guide them through the oral and communications process to identify challenges as well as solutions and impact.
Step into the future of computing with biocomputers, a revolutionary technology that uses DNA, proteins, and living cells to process information. Unlike traditional silicon-based machines or quantum computers, biocomputers leverage the complexity of biological systems, offering unparalleled scalability and energy efficiency. Discover how this emerging field could transform industries like healthcare, environmental monitoring, and biomanufacturing—while tackling challenges like integration and ethical concerns. 
Khin Kyawt Kyawt San is a senior majoring in Engineering Technology with a concentration in Computer Network System Management and a minor in Business. Khin and her family immigrated to the United States from Yangon, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) nearly five years ago, a move that morphed her life journey.
While Christmas is widely celebrated in December, many other holidays bring people together during the season. Across different cultures, religions, and traditions, people around the world observe a variety of holidays that reflect their unique histories and values at the end of the year. Exploring these traditions offers a richer understanding of how communities celebrate and connect.
A groundbreaking new supercomputer, El Capitan, has set the record as the world’s fastest, with 2.79 quadrillion calculations per second. Some worry about its potential to crack blockchain encryption, Professor Banafa cautions that the blockchain industry might be overlooking risks posed by future quantum computing. As quantum computing emerges, the urgency to prepare for its threats is growing.
Currently a senior in electrical engineering at San José State University, Umama Oishi exemplifies ambition, perseverance, and a passion for problem-solving. Originally from Bangladesh, Umama embarked on her academic journey in the United States at 17 as an exchange student, and completed high school in Missouri before coming to SJSU.
Digital twins, virtual replicas of physical objects or systems, are revolutionizing industries by enabling real-time monitoring, simulation, and optimization across manufacturing, healthcare, urban planning, and more. Originating with NASA’s Apollo missions, this technology has evolved through advancements in the Internet of Things, AI, and cloud computing, offering benefits like cost reduction, enhanced decision-making, and sustainability. However, challenges such as data security, integration complexity, and ethical concerns remain. As digital twins integrate with AI and the metaverse, their transformative potential grows.