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.

Student Profile – Sofia Silva

Sofia Silva earned her bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering from San José State University (SJSU) in May 2024 and is now a first-year master’s student in the same field. As a first-generation college student born and raised in San Jose, Sofia’s path is supported by her family’s pursuit of the American Dream when her parents immigrated from Jalisco, Mexico, to the U.S.

Sofia’s passion for engineering started when she took robotics and computer science electives in high school. However, when she successfully programmed a robot to climb a ramp after repeated failures, it gave her a sense of achievement. This sparked her curiosity about what else she could do and decided to pursue the program and industry for her college education.

Sofia’s dedication landed her an internship with NASA Ames Research Center and SJSU’s Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center (WIRC) as a FireSage intern. She contributed to developing an Arc Geographic Information System(GIS)-based program integrating machine learning to detect objects and vegetation within home ignition zones, to enhance wildfire prevention strategies through aerial imagery analysis. This involved testing image classification algorithms, analyzing key performance metrics using Python, and optimizing classification accuracy. She gained expertise in GIS programming, remote sensing, and AI-driven environmental solutions.

Choosing to intern with NASA Ames and WIRC was an opportunity for Sofia to achieve her goal of applying machine learning to environmental science, but it was the strong mentorship culture that truly made the experience invaluable. Working alongside NASA scientists, engineers, and SJSU faculty allows her to gain technical guidance, career development insights, and exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration.

Sofia credits SJSU classes like CMPE 131, CMPE 133, and CMPE 188, for equipping her with the foundational knowledge necessary for software development and data analysis. Besides technical skills, the ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams was a crucial skill proven during her internship, where she worked closely with experts from the Urban Planning and Geography fields.

Sofia highlighted the importance of curiosity and adaptability for students looking to land similar internship roles. “Stay open to exploring different problem-solving strategies, be flexible in adapting to new challenges, and maintain a strong interest in using technology to help people,” she advises. The interdisciplinary quality of this role ties directly to its success, learning from diverse perspectives and applying innovative approaches to real-world problems.

In the future, Sofia envisions herself working at a software company and becoming a Scrum Master. Sofia is committed to leveraging technology for the greater good–her ultimate goal is to contribute to environmental technology or work on innovations that drive meaningful change to people’s quality of life.

Black History Month

Image – Photo by: Trevor Cokley

Lt. Col. James H. Harvey III was a trailblazing U.S. Air Force officer and one of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military aviators in American history. Born in 1923 in Montclair, New Jersey, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces in 1943 and earned his wings at Tuskegee Army Airfield. Despite racial barriers, he became a skilled fighter pilot, flying aircraft such as the P-47 Thunderbolt and the F-86 Sabre during his distinguished career.

One of Harvey’s most significant achievements was winning the U.S. Air Force’s first-ever “Top Gun” competition in 1949 as part of a five-man team from the 332nd Fighter Group. Competing against all-white units, they proved their superior flying and shooting skills, securing first place. However, due to racial discrimination, their victory was ignored for decades, and official records failed to acknowledge their success. It wasn’t until 1995 that their achievement was formally recognized, correcting historical racial discrimination.

Despite the discrimination he faced, Harvey continued serving in the Air Force until 1965, becoming a respected pilot and advocate for recognizing the contributions of Black aviators. In 2022, he was honored at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, ensuring that the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and their groundbreaking accomplishments would not be forgotten. His story and excellence set the way for future generations of Black American military pilots.

Hayward City cyber attack – featuring Prof. Ahmed Banafa

A year and a half ago, Hayward City suffered a cyber attack, the city has issued a letter informing 33,000 people that their personal data was stolen and is working with an outsourced tech consultant to mine and investigate the situation. They also claimed that there is no evidence of identity theft or fraud crimes being committed. However, experts like Professor Banafa are not convinced that these data are not being leveraged for personal gain. Watch the full interview now (start from 33:22)

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.

Read the full story now.

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.

Student Profile – Genevieve Larkin

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.

Genevieve’s interest in engineering began in middle school when she joined Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering and later participated in STEM clubs. Encouraged by a supportive family, she pursued her love for science and problem-solving, ultimately choosing mechanical engineering as her field of study.

Her love for water polo started at the age of 10 when her mother signed her up for the sport after she learned how to swim. Over the years, her passion for the game deepened, thanks to the incredible and meaningful experience of her teammates and coaches, people who she holds dear in her heart. Today, being part of a team is one of Genevieve’s favorite aspects of being a student-athlete. “It really gives you a purpose and a community that you can call your own and truly feel a part of,” she shares.

Juggling a demanding engineering curriculum while committing 20 hours a week to training, along with travel for tournaments and games, is no easy act. Genevieve admits that going above and beyond in homework and exam prep after a long day of classes and practices can be challenging. However, the discipline and time management skills she has developed through athletics have helped her hone these life skills. One of the most valuable lessons she has learned is the ability to rebound from setbacks. “In engineering, it’s not difficult to receive a low grade on an exam, but athletics has taught me that there’s always a way to make a comeback,” she explains.

When facing tough times, whether in school or during competition, Genevieve turns to her faith and family for motivation. “I constantly remind myself how fortunate I am to be able to push my limits, and I always feel supported by my parents and God,” she says. Keeping her grounded and driven to push through all the challenges she faced.

To younger athletes, Genevieve’s advice is: “Do it for yourself. If you want to go far in any aspect of your life, whether in sports or your career, you are the only one who can decide if you enjoy something or not. Never let anyone influence you so much that you suffer through something that doesn’t align with your personal goals and ideas for your life.”

With her determination, passion, and support, Genevieve Larkin will continue to face challenges head-on, both in the classroom and in the pool.

New Chinese AI app Deepseek impacting stock prices of Bay Area tech companies (KPIX) featuring Prof. Ahmed Banafa

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. Watch the full interview to find out about Professor Banafa’s take and what this means for the US.

Student Profile – Dhruv Varshney

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.

Dhruv’s interest in technology began early in life, inspired by its transformative potential. His first DIY robotics project in high school sparked his passion for engineering. “The experience of assembling and programming my first robot was transformative—it gave me a sense of purpose and creativity,” he reflects. This laid the foundation for his academic pursuits and shaped his focus on embedded systems, robotics, and machine learning.

This past summer Dhruv completed his internship at UL Solutions, a global safety science company that offers a range of services to help customers with product innovation, business growth, and sustainability, where he contributed to Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) testing for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular devices. He also designed graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for data analysis, gaining valuable technical skills in data visualization and wireless communication testing. This experience offered  Dhruv a firsthand look into the semiconductor industry.

Dhruv landed his internship on Handshake, the SJSU career portal, and by networking at industry events. He emphasizes starting early and being proactive when it comes to securing an internship. “Network actively and leverage platforms like LinkedIn,” he advises. He believes that students should tailor their resumes for specific roles and highlight relevant projects to stand out in the pool of applicants.

When first coming into the country Dhruv faced doubts about adapting to a new culture and academic system, but he rose to the occasion by seeking support from peers and joining student organizations. “Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and seek help when needed,” he advises.

As a senior reflecting on his journey, Dhruv advises his younger self to embrace hands-on projects, actively collaborate with peers, and develop strong time management skills—not only to excel academically but also to engage in extracurricular activities for a well-rounded college experience.

After graduation, Dhruv plans to pursue a master’s degree in Computer Science with a focus on AI, robotics, and computer vision. His ultimate goal is to become a leader in the tech industry, driving innovation in autonomous systems and embedded technologies.

PCB Hackathon recap

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.

Students were judged on eleven different categories including: project originality, technical complexity, functionality, design efficiency, documentation, and, as a bonus, additional creativity. Making up the judging panel were: Amit Bahl, Chief Revenue Officer at Sierra Circuits, Avery Brock, PCB Design Engineer at NASA, Allan Knox, Senior PCB Design Engineer at Sierra Circuits, Atar Mittal, General Manager of Product Development at Sierra Circuits and Jagdip Singh, Director of Manufacturing at Sierra Circuits.

SJSU College of Engineering students, Jose Lopez-Vergara, Willow Herron, Katherine Sarna, and Tarik Fawal were among the winners. Other winners included participants from Solano Community College, the University of Minnesota, and Clarkson University. Congratulations to all the participants!

Mechanical Engineering Senior Projects Presentations

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.

Mechanical engineering students had some guiding principles in choosing their projects which included: Social, economic, cultural, public health and safety, and inclusion when thinking about how the solution would be accessible to those with disabilities.

The Engineering 185 course that created the genesis of the presentation was one of the final pit stops for students reaching for their degree. The culmination of accepting the project and doing the presentation was another pivotal hands-on learning experience the College of Engineering is so well known for.

These presentations are an important part of the student’s education, where improving their skills in public speaking, gaining acceptance for their ideas, and having their solutions to challenges considered by the general public is the tassel to symbolize their graduation status.

CMPE@Connect 2024

On December 6, as part of the Department of Computer Engineering’s social gatherings, students attended CMPE@Connect 2024. Along with students presenting their various internship experiences with companies such as NXP and Tesla, technical talks and an engaging panel discussion were also in the mix.

The purpose of the event was to enable students to share valuable experiences they gained through internships, provide insights into career advancement through mentorship, and foster a greater connection between faculty and students. Professor Young Park and Professor Magdalini Eirinaki hosted the event. Don’t miss the next CMPE social gathering!

Day of Giving

We’re excited to announce that applications are open to participate in SJSU’s Day of Giving 2025! This virtual event will run for 1857 minutes from March 11-12, 2025, honoring our founding year, 1857. It invites students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and family to join in collective generosity to support SJSU.

What is the Day of Giving?

SJSU’s Day of Giving unites the Spartan community to raise funds for impactful campus initiatives, including special projects, student organizations, academic initiatives, and athletics. This annual event spotlights the programs that make a difference and empowers groups to create crowdfunding campaigns that elevate visibility and support for the causes that matter most to them and to the university. Join us in making a lasting impact!

Ready to Apply?

If you’re part of a department, student group, or campus initiative, this is your chance to inspire support from alumni, faculty, students, staff, and friends!

To get started, gather your details for the 2025 Application Form and submit it by December 16. First-time participants, feel free to explore 2024 projects for ideas and inspiration.

Application Deadline: December 16, 2024
Event Dates: March 11-12, 2025

Let’s make an impact together for SJSU students, faculty, and staff!
Questions? Contact crowdfunding@sjsu.edu.

Biocomputers Harnessing Biology for Computing Power by Prof. Ahmed Banafa

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. Read the full article now!