Spring 2024 STEM-NET Edison Student Research Fellowship Recipients

Congratulations to our 2024 Spring Edison STEM-NET Student Research Fellowship Symposium. In partnership with Edison, STEM-NET has awarded 23 students $3,750 to conduct undergraduate research for the spring 2024 term. These funds support students conducting research under the auspices of a CSU faculty member. Toward the end of their research project, they will participate in a virtual event to present their findings on Thursday, May 9th, 2023 at 9 am. Learn more about them below.

Student Name: Syunsuke "Sunny" Hasuka
College Level: Senior
Major: Geology BS
Department: Geological Sciences
Campus: California State University, Long Beach
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tandis Bidgoli
Hobbies, Favorite Food, and Books: Cooking, hiking, camping, rock climbing, photography, reading, and traveling.
Research Interest: "Structural and slip rate studies on the San Andreas fault.
Future Goals: "Obtain my M.S. in geology and my professional geological license."

Student Name: Ryan McMichael
College Level: Senior
Major: Geology BS
Department: Geological Sciences
Campus: California State University, Fullerton
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nicole Bonuso
Hobbies, Favorite Food, and Books: "Hiking with my family, Jiu Jitsu, Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink (book. Dancing and playing musical instruments are my passions outside of science."
Future Goals: "My goal is to make a positive lasting impact on society for future generations."

Student name: Jennifer Diaz
College Level: Senior
Major: Earth Science
Department: Geological Sciences
Campus: California State University, Fullerton
Family and Personal Background: "I have a large family with 2 sisters and 3 brothers; however, I am a first-gen student, being the first to attend and complete college."
Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: "Some of my hobbies involve baking, yoga, kayaking, and doing arts and crafts projects. My all-time favorite foods are pizza and tamales!"
Research Interest: "Climate change and water resources."
Faculty Mentor: Kathryn Metcalf
Future Goals: "In the future, I hope to work on conservation projects at the EPA and truly help better the environment."

Student name: Rey Anthony Lallave Reynaldo
College level: Sophomore
Major: Civil Engineering
Department: College of Engineering
Campus: California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
Family and Personal Background: "I come from a big family with four siblings. I come from a big family with four siblings. I am the second eldest and have my older and younger brother in college as well. I graduated from Nogales High School and was an International Baccalaureate Diploma recipient. My passion for civil engineering stems from my passion for serving my community. My high school brought me the opportunity to serve my community through the various clubs I was part of. Some of these events included organizing a walk to raise awareness for mental illness through the National Alliance on Mental Illness, park clean-ups through Key Club, or a Dr. Seuss night for younger kids through my International Baccalaureate Questers club. When I discovered civil engineering could do more than small volunteer events through the design of roadways, construction of infrastructure, and implementation of sustainable practices, I knew this was what I wanted. Carrying my passion and ambition to better my community, here at CPP I have helped start a local community garden which is still being organized and forming. My ongoing experience in Cal Poly Pomona’s Steel Bridge competition team enables me to collaborate with determined and motivated individuals. I have been granted the opportunity to become the welding captain to not only enhance my knowledge of welding but also provide an opportunity for other students to learn to weld as well. This utilizes my skills in being organized to plan and schedule practices and fabrication days with my team. Additionally, being part of CPP’s Rose Float program has provided additional exposure to working in a construction environment. Working on a team to become efficient in completing tasks by the end of the day and using the many tools in our lab to find a quick and safe way to get things done."

Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: "When I am not busy with school, I am out with my family either at the beach or at Disney. I look forward to attending church with my family where I try my best to make time to help serve there."
Research Interest: "My undergraduate research with Dr. Zhang has served as a pipeline of my service to my community in high school and to doing that now in college. Our research focuses on the elderly population of Southern California and the transportation issues they might face. This includes a literature review along with our data collection."

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Zhang
Future Goals: "In the future, I hope to begin my professional career as a civil engineer with my EIT in transportation."

Student name: Josh Madsen
College Level: Senior
Major: Electrical Engineering
Department: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Campus: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Family and Personal Background: "Growing up in a household affected by divorce and experiencing frequent relocations across Southern California, his unwavering commitment to pursuing his passions has been a constant beacon. From an early age, he exhibited an insatiable curiosity, dedicating himself to learning new skills ranging from musical instruments to conducting diverse scientific experiments. Additionally, he explored the capabilities of his own body through participation in various sports, including track and field, and cross country. This eclectic mix of interests ultimately guided him towards the field of engineering, driven by a profound desire to leverage his pursuit of knowledge to make a substantial positive impact on the world."
Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: "His hobbies reflect a wide range of interests, from backpacking across diverse landscapes and climbing to reach new heights, to surfing, where he appreciates the beauty of the world's oceans, and programming, which allows him to engage with complex problem-solving. This mix of activities showcases his desire to explore both the physical world and intellectual challenges, illustrating his commitment to personal growth and exploration."
Research Interest: "His research encompasses the comprehensive investigation of ionic thrust phenomena under atmospheric conditions. To attain significant advancements in thrust efficiency, his work necessitated a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing the simulation of modular high-voltage power supplies, extensive studies on diverse materials, and the manipulation of magnetic fields. This holistic methodology not only underscores the complexity of achieving optimized ionic thrust but also highlights the innovative intersection of electrical engineering, materials science, and physics in pushing the boundaries of atmospheric propulsion technologies."
Faculty Mentor: Mohamed El-Hadedy Aly
Future Goals: "His future professional aspirations are directed towards innovation in digital design and the development of groundbreaking technologies within the realm of personal entertainment, akin to advancements achieved by MetaQuest. Furthermore, he intends to deepen his knowledge in the field of particle physics, aiming to enhance his understanding of the electronic foundations underlying our contemporary technological landscape. This dual focus not only underlines a commitment to pushing the boundaries of digital entertainment but also demonstrates a profound interest in the fundamental principles that govern our modern electronic devices."

Student name: Sunny Yoshimitsu Nguyen
College Level: Junior
Major: Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering
Department: Engineering
Campus: Engineering
Family and Personal Background: "I'm a first-generation immigrant and college attendee in my family."
Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: "I like to design digital systems in my free time. Many of my projects include making a phone, a simple computer, and a flight computer."
Research Interests: FPGA, VLSI, and Computer Architecture."
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mohamed El Hadedy
Future Goals: "My goal is to get a master's at Caltech (hopefully), and then to immerse myself in the rocket industry, specifically SpaceX or NASA."

Student name: Marivi Angel
College Level: Junior
Major: Ecology and Environmental Biology
Department: Biology
Campus: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: "I play tennis and love to crochet."
Research Interest: Entomology.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. McGlynn
Future Goals: "Receive a position as a Research Scientist."

Student name: Uy Vo
College Level: Senior
Major: Computer Science
Department: Engineering and Computer Science
Campus: California State University, Fullerton
Family and Personal Background: "I live with my wife and a little son. We love Vietnamese traditional food and usually go out for lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant in Little Saigon every weekend."
Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: "Watching movies, playing tennis, reading books. My favorite book is *The Journey to the East* by Hermann Hesse and Hilda Hesse, Herman; Rosner."
Research Interest: Business and AI
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Prof. Doina Bein
Future Goals: "To become a Software Engineer. "

Student Name: Giovanni Rivera
College Level: Senior
Major: Computer Science
Department: Engineering and Computer Science
Campus: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Family and Personal Background: "As a first-generation student, I had little exposure to research growing up. My parents always told me to go to college, but I didn’t know much about the different career paths available in higher education. During the end of my second year of university, I began to explore research opportunities. Through a professor, I learned about Cal-Bridge, a program dedicated to preparing undergraduate students in the fields of Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, and Computer Science to pursue research and matriculate in a doctoral program after graduation. Through this program, I met my current PI, Dr. Bin Tang. Under Dr. Tang and through Cal-Bridge, I gained lots of experience in research, as well as published two papers at the CSCSU ’23 and IEEE MASS 2023 conferences. I am excited to continue building on my research career and beyond after graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree in May."
Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: "I like to play the drums and guitar in my free time. My favorite foods are pupusas and tacos (especially chorizo and carnitas)."
Research Interest: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Algorithms and Theory, Networking & Internet of Things
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bin Tang
Future Goals: "One of my future goals is to continue building my career path in research. I also have the ultimate goal of becoming a professor and giving back to my community."

Student Name: Hamid Suha
College Level: Junior
Major: Engineering and Computer Science
Department: College of Engineering and Computer Science
Campus: California State University, Fullerton
Research Interest: CandleVision

Student Name: Gisselle Jimenez
College Level: Senior
Major: Physics
Department: Physics & Astronomy
Campus: Cal State Northridge
Family and Personal Background: "I am a first-generation Latinx college student and have two beautiful children."
Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: "I enjoy visiting new coffee shops and bakeries. My favorite food is bread, from pastries to pizza; I love it all."
Research Interest: "My research interests are galaxy evolution, particularly in the Local Group to learn about their evolutionary history."
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Katy Rodriguez Wimberly
Future Goals: "I plan to pursue an Astronomy PhD and develop a K-12 Outreach Program based in the Inland Empire."

Student Name: Frances Marie Paredes
College Level: Senior
Major: Biochemistry
Department: Chemistry
Campus: Cal Poly Pomona
Family and Personal Background: "I am a transfer student from SBVC and am a first-generation college student.
Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: "I love learning new things, listening to music, and watching movies. My favorite foods are pasta (any kind), sushi, and Mexican food."
Research Interest: Green chemistry and biochemistry.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Chantal Stieber
Future Goals: "Still deciding on a path for the future. However, my interest is in the medical field. I either plan on applying to P.A. school or going into medical research."

Student Name: Nina M. Taylor
College Level: Senior
Major: Psychology
Department: Psychology
Campus: California State University of Dominguez Hills
Family and Personal Background: "Nina grew up in California, traveling throughout the Western United States with her family, visiting National Parks and collecting stamps from their adventures. These experiences taught her the importance of protecting cultures and natural ecosystems. Her love for research and storytelling was sparked by lectures at natural history and geological museums. With a family background that includes WWI and WWII veterans, Nina learned the value of hope and resilience. She is passionate about learning to be present, traveling consciously, and enjoys painting and music. As an R.A. in the Cognitive Health EEG/ERP (CHEERs) Lab, Nina finds the study of the brain and its reactions increasingly exciting. She is also a student researcher in the Positive Psychology Lab and part of the Leadership Cabinet for Psi Chi International’s CSUDH Chapter. Nina has been a Department Peer Advisor and studied abroad in Italy, attending lectures in Rome and Sicily. She is grateful for the Edison STEM-NET Student Research Fellowship and other awards that support her journey as a first-generation college student pursuing medical research."
Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: "Nina’s most listened-to artist for 2023-2024 was Hozier. She is enthusiastic about contemporary dance and multimedia art, and is curious about their therapeutic applications. She enjoys fusion foods, non-fiction literature, and sci-fi. Her favorite movie, *Gattaca* (1997), inspired her to study Biology, Psychology, Ethics, and Philosophy. She also appreciates poems by Emily Dickinson and E.E. Cummings."
Research Interest: Neuroscience, Epigenetics, Positive Psychology, Connective Tissue Disorders and Comorbidities, Aging and Older Adult Populations, Patient and Research Advocacy.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kaylie Carbine
Future Goals: "Nina aims to pursue a PhD and improve communication between patients, caregivers, doctors, researchers, and insurance policies. She is interested in studying neuroplasticity, the impact of connective tissue disorders, and exploring innovations in scientific communication. She hopes to explore virtual reality's potential in enhancing care in neurosciences and positive psychology, with a focus on underserved populations and broader financial backgrounds."
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Student Name: Edgar Yak-De Padua
College Level: Senior
Major: Mathematics
Department: Mathematics
Campus: California State University, Los Angeles

Family and Personal Background: "I am a first-generation college student at Cal State LA. My journey is rooted in the sacrifices of my parents, who sought a better life in the United States. My dad worked long hours and came home tired to support us, while my mom devoted herself to ensuring my brother and I never went hungry and always received care. Witnessing their unwavering dedication taught me the values of perseverance and determination from a young age, which is why I worked so hard in school."

Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: "I have a variety of hobbies, including reading, playing Minecraft, and watching the Spider-Man Trilogy directed by Sam Raimi. My favorite book of all time is *11/22/63* by Stephen King. I also enjoy playing Minecraft with my friends, where I can get quite competitive in SkyWars. I've seen the Spider-Man Trilogy countless times, with the second installment being my all-time favorite film."

Research Interest: "I am currently conducting research in Graph Theory alongside Dr. Catherine Brennan at Cal State LA. My project involves finding the chromatic number of circular graphs to determine the smallest number of colors needed to color the Euclidean Plane. I have been examining various cases and patterns to understand how the circulant graph's chromatic number changes under different generators."

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Krebs
Future Goals: "My current goal is to go to graduate school."

Student Name: Alexander Martinez
College Level: Sophomore
Major: Computer Engineering
Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Campus: California State University, Fullerton

Family and Personal Background: "My parents immigrated to the U.S. and then had me and my older brother. Both my brother and I are currently in university. My father works as a mechanic, while my mother is in sales."

Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: "I enjoy hiking for miles in national parks and camping with friends during the summer. I look forward to going to the movies and the gym with my brother. Additionally, I enjoy reading and am currently reading *Monte Cristo*."

Research Interest: "This project focuses on optimizing AC synchronous motors through machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The goal is to develop an intelligent controller capable of maintaining high power factor rates in AC motors."

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rakesh Mahto
Future Goals: "My future goals include applying everything I have learned in school and internships to help reduce GHG emissions through renewable energy and energy efficiency. This has been my goal since high school, as global warming continues to increase, and time is running out to address it."

Student Name: Javier Ramos
College Level: Senior
Major: Computer Engineering
Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Campus: California State University, Fullerton

Family and Personal Background: "My mother and father were born in Mexico. I am the youngest of five children and a first-generation college student, as well as the first future engineer in my family.

Hobbies and Favorite Food or Books: Snowboarding, basketball, baseball, and modifying sports cars.

Research Interest: Tesla Coil Drones, electromagnetic fields, 3D printing, and flight controllers."

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Halima El Naga & project led by Dr. Mohamed El-Hadedy
Future Goals: "I aim to work in the industry while pursuing a master’s degree on the side."

Student Name: Karen Bhor Giron
College Level: Senior
Major: Computer Engineering
Department: School of Computer Science and Engineering
College: California State University, San Bernardino

Family and personal background: "I was born in Guatemala but recently got my citizenship from the United States, so I have dual citizenship. Also, I am the first in the family to get a bachelor's in the United States."

Hobbies, favorite food or books: "I like swimming, dancing, and hanging out with my friends and family. My favorite food is seafood, especially shrimp."

Research Interest: "Currently, my research interests are how machine learning and AI algorithms would help the new generation regarding their health, whether it is bad or good, and how those algorithms would help them to make predictions of the current disease or symptoms."

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bilal Khan
Future Goals: "After I graduate, I want to take a gap year to gain experience in my field like IT, then I want to go back to school and get my Master's in Electrical Engineering. I want to figure out what program I want to do, like either robotics or AI. Eventually, I want to work for a big company like Google, Microsoft, or Apple."

Student Name: Parsa Rezaei
College Level: Senior
Major: Computer Engineering
Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
College: California Polytechnic State University, Pomona

Family and Personal Background: "My path to computer engineering is marked by a keen fascination with technology's potential and a journey that crosses cultural and academic boundaries. As a first-generation college student and an immigrant, I've navigated unique challenges and perspectives that have enriched my understanding and approach to problem-solving. This background has instilled in me a profound appreciation for education as a tool for empowerment and change. My commitment to technology is not just about pursuing my passion; it's about harnessing innovation to create solutions that are accessible and meaningful across diverse communities. This journey has been one of discovery, resilience, and ambition, driving me to explore how we can use technology to bridge gaps and make a tangible impact in the world."

Hobbies and favorite food or books: "My hobbies are not just pastimes; they are extensions of my drive to innovate and streamline everyday life, allowing me to devote more energy to my passion for learning and building new things. Through various projects, I've automated aspects of my living environment, crafting a space that not only responds to my needs but also serves as a living lab for testing and improving my designs. This practical application of my skills has transformed my home into a fully integrated smart environment, showcasing the power of technology to enhance convenience and efficiency. As a result, I've been able to redirect my time and focus towards exploring new technologies and deepening my understanding of computer engineering. My engagement with technology through these hobbies enables me to continuously expand my skill set, fueling my creativity, and enhancing my capacity to innovate."

Research Interest: "My research is focused on integrating natural language processing (NLP) with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aiming to develop a natural control interface between drones and pilots. This project seeks to simplify drone control beyond traditional mission plans and manual inputs, using open-source language models and drone hardware. The goal is to enable adaptable implementation across various types of vehicles, ranging from undersea explorations to space missions."
Faculty Mentor: Mohamed Aly
Future goals: "He aspires to delve deeper into multidisciplinary fields, leveraging technology to enhance our quality of life and alleviate the everyday burdens we face. By doing so, I believe we can pave the way for groundbreaking innovations, creating a future where technology seamlessly integrates into our lives, fostering a world of endless possibilities and advancements. "

Spring 2024 STEM-NET Edison Student Research Fellowship Recipients​

Spring 2024 STEM-NET Edison Student Research Fellowship Recipients