School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics /stem/ Just another 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell site Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:30:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Scholarship experiences /stem/news/2025/10/20/2025-summer-undergraduate-research-scholarship-experiences Tue, 21 Oct 2025 04:29:03 +0000 /stem/?p=35922 Seven School of STEM students received scholarships to help fund their undergraduate research projects working with faculty mentors.

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Seven School of STEM students, four awarded by the Department of Physical Sciences during the 2025 STEM Symposium Awards Ceremony, received scholarships to help fund their undergraduate research projects working with faculty mentors.

“Experiential learning opportunities like this hands-on research are crucial for student success,†said Dean Jennifer McLoud-Mann. “They deepen understanding, foster practical skill development, and inspire meaningful pathways to future academic and career achievements.â€

The STEM Undergraduate Research Scholarship was created by McLoud-Mann to empower STEM-degree seeking students to participate in an undergraduate research project at the 56³Ô¹ÏÍø. Annual contributions from the I Heart 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell Luncheon and the STEM Advisory Board have been instrumental in supporting this initiative, paving the way for more students to enroll in summer research courses.

The Physical Sciences department’s research awards were initiated years ago by the chair at the time, Dr. Dan Jaffe, to help support the research of students and faculty. “Faculty mentorship of undergrad research is a major part of the department’s mission,†said Chair Eric Salathé. “Since we have many faculty with funded research projects, we have both a good pool of funds to support the scholarships and a lot of active research projects going on that we want to enable students to participate in.â€

Let’s explore some of their research projects and experiences.

Researchers in action

Kaito T. Hasebe, Physics major (he/him)

  • Research project: “Fast Radio Burstsâ€
  • Mentor: Dr. Joey Shapiro Key
  • Scholarship: Chair’s Summer Research Award Scholarship, Department of Physical Sciences

Kaito Hasebe focused on the research of extragalactic phenomena dubbed “Fast Radio Bursts,†while also assisting research teams led by graduate students at West Virginia University on the topics of Scintillations, examining how light scatters and disperses as it travels through the interstellar medium, and Advanced Timing, precise calculation and prediction of bursts of light from a pulsar. Fast radio bursts are brief, powerful radio signals from space, that can help us better understand what is happening in distant galaxies.

Green Bank Telescope in the background behind farmland with a white barn.

Hasebe shared a photo he took of the Green Bank Telescope while on a research camp trip to the observatory in West Virginia.

“I caught wind of a new exciting team of research into extragalactic phenomena dubbed ‘Fast Radio Bursts,’ which was completely unique at the time as every other research team available was centered around pulsars (rotating neutron stars that emit EM waves out of their poles),†said Hasebe.

He worked alongside Dr. Joey Shapiro Key in his research, who helped offer guidance, new opportunities and space to grow. Through this experience, Hasebe learned the value of communication skills and that research can be enjoyable, collaborative, and a way to build lasting friendships. Looking back on his academic path, Hasebe thought he’d follow a path of nuclear research and engineering, but after doing astrophysics research with Key he found himself enjoying all sorts of physics applications and becoming more open-minded to other physics research areas.

Getting started with this research path

“I did what I could to start; looked up internships online everywhere, LinkedIn, the 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell board for internship opportunities, but what landed me where I was today was reaching out to my old professors and seeing what opportunities they could provide for me.â€

Learn more about , , and his mentor Dr. Joey Shapiro Key to dive deeper into this research area.

Jude Pazier, Physics major (he/him)

  • Research project: “The Design of a Sample Stage and Search for Resistive Transition in the Superconducting State of Bulk MgB2â€
  • Mentor: Dr. Subramanian Ramachandran
  • Scholarship: Chair’s Summer Research Award Scholarship, Department of Physical Sciences

After developing an interest in superconductivity through an independent study with his current mentor, Dr. Subramanian Ramachandran, during spring quarter Jude started his research project centered around measuring resistivity in the superconducting state of bulk magnesium diboride (MgB2). To analyze the resistivity at low temperatures, he used a cryogenic refrigerator and a vacuum pump. The project consists of four phases: powder pressing, testing the vacuum state of the cryocooler, designing and implementing a sample stage and current source, and measuring the resistivity.

Jude Pazier with his poster on a table top easel

Pazier encountered some equipment defects and learned how to adapt through the process. “I got the opportunity to creatively problem-solve and think on the spot,†said Pazier. “I believe that these experiences can be applied to many aspects of the professional work environment.â€

Ramachandran was a great guide for this research and provided valuable on-site feedback along the way. Pazier highlighted, “Doing research alongside Dr. Ramachandran exposed me to rich ideas and allowed me to ask questions in a non-intimidating environment.â€

This summer’s research project reinforced Pazier’s desire to pursue experimental physics, especially in thermodynamics and electromagnetism.

“I furthered my understanding of heat engines, refrigerators, and materials science this summer and know that I will be applying these topics as an engineer.â€

Getting started with this research path

“I began the research having taken relevant theoretical physics courses and an intermediate experimental course. Although each day was a unique learning experience, I felt that it was imperative to have built up a basic toolbox of experimental skills. These included error analysis, data acquisition, and basic Python programming. Aside from these skills, I began the project with minimal hands-on experience and believe that with the right motivation and discipline, anyone can be successful.â€

Connect with his mentor Dr. Subramanian Ramachandran to learn more.

Toby Roetteler, Physics major (he/him)

  • Research project: “Stability of Chronic Wound Dressingsâ€
  • Mentor: Dr. Lori Robins
  • Scholarship: Chair’s Summer Research Award Scholarship, Department of Physical Sciences

Toby Roetteler initially found an interest in biochemistry from taking AP biology and chemistry in high school. Afterwards, he decided to research medicine to fulfill his goal of improving the lives of others. This goal led him to research with Dr. Lori Robins how to improve treatment of chronic wounds by killing off bacteria, promoting wound healing, and increasing the quality of life of affected individuals.

As they aim to understand if chlorinated compounds have antimicrobial and odor controlling properties, Roetteler focused on coating superabsorbent polymer granules and fibers with a specialized compound called MC to determine its stability and wound healing properties.

“Over the course of my summer research, I have gained a lot of valuable hands-on lab experience,†said Roetteler. “One thing that came as a surprise to all of us was how difficult it ended up being to get accurate chlorine concentration readings using iodometric titration. However, after spending weeks troubleshooting; trying all kinds of different procedures and techniques, we finally found a method that yielded consistent and accurate results.â€

This not only taught Roetteler key research skills such as planning experiments, analyzing data, and presenting his findings, but also the importance of trial and error, patience and perseverance. This research taught him many of the key skills that will contribute to his future research endeavors.

“Working in the lab with Dr. Robins this summer has proven to be an invaluable opportunity for me,†reflected Roettele. “Her deep understanding of the subject, built on years of research and teaching experience, was something I consistently found myself grateful for.â€

“I feel more confident that research in the field of biochemistry is what I want to pursue as a career.â€

Getting started with this research path

“My advice to others interested in undergraduate research would be to reach out and talk to your professors, especially those who specialize in a field you are interested in. Consider asking them about their experience working in their field and what research or internship opportunities may be available to you.â€

Dive into this topic by reading a or visit Robin’s faculty webpage.

Sean Kim (he/him) & Tommy Wang (he/him), Mechanical Engineering majors

  • Mentor: Dr. Migeul Balzan
  • Scholarship: STEM Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship
  • Research project: “Sculpting Speed: Aerodynamic Shell for Drone Flightâ€

Working together, Sean Kim (left in photo) and Tommy Wang focused on analyzing aerodynamic shells for high-speed drones to study how small design changes impact drag and lift, ultimately affecting flight efficiency and stability. They chose this focus because of their interest in drones and aerodynamic design. Over summer they got hands-on creating several shell models with different nose and tail geometries in SolidWorks and learning how to use ANSYS Fluent to run Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations.

Sean Kim and Tommy Wang next to their poster, holding a model drone.

“From setting up boundary conditions to interpreting simulation results, this summer’s research will enable us to have a stable foundation for future projects to come,†they shared. “Beyond technical skills, we gained confidence in presenting complex topics to a broader audience during the summer STEM Symposium.â€

Their mentor, Dr. Miguel Balzan, provided support when necessary while also letting Kim and Wang learn from their mistakes and grow more confident in themselves and their skills.

Thinking about the incredible experience they had research with Balzan, they shared how he guided them through structing their research plan, starting with the basics of design models and then diving into data interpretation. “We had the freedom to make our own design decisions and to learn from our mistakes,†Kim shared. “Plus, we got to see how classroom theory connects directly to real-world applications.â€

This research will greatly contribute to their senior capstone project and support their pursuit of jobs in aerospace engineering.

Getting started with this research path

“Initially, the thought of engaging in research came from the need of a theoretical foundation for a senior capstone project we proposed back in spring of 2025. We started by exploring and then reaching out to professors whose fields of study aligned with our goals/interests, even though we didn’t have a complete plan. A piece of advice we would give to other students is not to wait until they feel ‘fully prepared’ to get involved, because we definitely weren’t. Just ask, and then ask again.â€

Connect with their mentor Dr. Miguel Balzan to learn more about the research.

Luke Kustra, Computer Science & Software Engineering major (he/him)

  • Research project: “Autonomous ATVâ€
  • Mentor: Dr. Tyler Folsom
  • Scholarship: STEM Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship

Believing autonomous vehicles are the key to reducing traffic accidents, Kustra made them the focus of his research. He mainly focused on the software aspects of what sensors and algorithms were necessary for each vehicle and how the vehicle itself should behave.

In his research, Kustra worked alongside Dr. Tyler Folsom who helped him grow as a software engineer. He experienced what it is like working on an interdisciplinary team of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineers.

Luke Kustra next to his poster at the STEM Symposium

Working with such a diverse team taught Luke the importance of effective communication and reporting. From this experience, he has a clear career goal of working on autonomous vehicles in the future.

“I am now familiar with the process of designing autonomous vehicles and am dedicated to reducing traffic accidents that hurt too many people every day,†said Luke.

Getting started with this research path

“I started with the people involved in the research already. I believe the most helpful resource[s] are people. I decided to approach Dr. Folsom to learn more about his autonomous ATV research and was fascinated by it.â€

Learn more about the , or connect with his to learn more.

Growth through research

Over the summer, each student made meaningful contributions through their research, applying classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. By dedicating their time to hands-on exploration, they not only advanced their fields but also laid a strong foundation for future career opportunities. The summer undergraduate research scholarships helped them grow both personally and professionally, leaving them better prepared for what lies ahead.

Visit the School of STEM Research & Labs to learn more about research!

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Revolutionizing marine conversation /stem/news/2025/10/17/revolutionizing-marine-conversation Fri, 17 Oct 2025 21:04:36 +0000 /stem/?p=35877 With support from a $1.5 million grant, Dr. Shima Abadi is leading a research team in a new way to monitor animals on a large scale.

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Can light help us hear whales?

Dr. Shima Abadi, professor in the School of STEM, and fellow researchers from 56³Ô¹ÏÍø’s School of Oceanography are using a groundbreaking approach to monitor endangered marine species on a large scale. By leveraging Distributed Acoustic Sensing — technology that turns fiber optic cables into vast networks of underwater microphones — they can capture real-time acoustic data.

This October they deployed fiber optic cable off the coast of the San Juan Islands to demonstrate the global potential that thousands of miles of existing fiber optic cable offer for revolutionizing marine conversation.

Read the full 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell story “Using light to hear the whales.”

Learn more about , DAS and even listen to and visualize different orca vocalizations.

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Welcoming new faculty to the School of STEM /stem/news/2025/09/26/welcoming-new-faculty-to-the-school-of-stem-2025 Fri, 26 Sep 2025 15:49:23 +0000 /stem/?p=35803 The 56³Ô¹ÏÍø School of STEM is excited to welcome four new talented faculty members into the Department of Computing & Software Systems.

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2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR

The 56³Ô¹ÏÍø School of STEM is excited to welcome four new talented faculty members into the Department of Computing & Software Systems.

They join three other new faculty members at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell in the School of Business and School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences. Welcome to all the new faculty joining our community! We’re excited to have you here.


Murat Seçkin Ayhan

Murat Ayhan

Assistant professor

Department of Computing & Software Systems

Dr. Murat Seçkin Ayhan (he/him) has both a doctorate and master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and master’s and bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from BaÅŸkent University. He worked as an assistant professor at the Department of Computer Engineering at Isik University in Istanbul, Turkey and joined the University of Tübingen in Germany as a researcher, developing deep learning solutions within the context of ophthalmology. After five years, he moved to London and joined University College London and Moorfields Eye Hospital as a senior research fellow.

Contact: msayhan@uw.edu

Research focus: machine learning, medical image analysis, medical AI

Courses taught at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell:

  • CSS 342 Data Structures, Algorithms, and Discrete Mathematics I 
  • CSS 343 Data Structures, Algorithms, and Discrete Mathematics II 

Kaylea Champion

Kaylea Champion

Assistant professor

Department of Computing & Software Systems

Dr. Kaylea Champion (she/her) has a doctorate in Communication from the University of Washington, a master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Chicago, and a background in Information Technology. She is a postdoctoral scholar in the Community Data Science Collective, working at the intersection of human-computer interaction, empirical software engineering, cybersecurity, privacy, and organizational communication. Her research investigates how people cooperate to build and maintain public goods like software and knowledge.

Contact: kaylea@uw.edu

Research focus: computer-supported cooperative work, empirical software engineering, human-computer interaction, applied machine learning, cybersecurity

Courses taught at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell:

  • CSS 350 Management Principles for Computing Professionals
  • CSS 360 Software Engineering

Mia Champion

Mia Champion

Assistant teaching professor

Department of Computing & Software Systems

Dr. Mia Champion (she/her) holds a Ph.D. in Genomics from the University of California, Davis, and a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Michigan. She has previously taught graduate-level classes at the University of Washington and worked at Amazon Web Services in leadership roles overseeing Health AI products like Amazon HealthLake, Amazon Genomics CLI, and AWS HealthOmics. Additionally, Dr. Champion conducted bioinformatics research at the Mayo Clinic, ASU, and the Broad Institute. She is also the founder of consulting firm Unalomia LLC where she supports innovation across industries.

Contact: miachamp@uw.edu

Research focus: cloud computing, deep learning, explainable AI, bioinformatics, product management

Courses taught at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell:

  • CSS 142 Computer Programming I
  • CSS 350 Management Principles for Computing Professionals
  • CSS 581 Introduction to Machine Learning
  • CSS 586 Deep Learning
  • CSS532 Internet of Things
  • CSS 382A Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
  • CSS 566A Software Management

Zachery (Zak) Rubin

Zak Rubin

Assistant teaching professor

Department of Computing & Software Systems

Dr. Zachery (Zak) Rubin (they/them) has a doctorate in Computer Engineering from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. They are currently the director of the network engineering programs at Renton Technical College in Renton, Washington. Outside of academics, they have nearly 20 years of experience in the games and entertainment industry, working with major musicians including Beyoncé and Gogol Bordello, and AAA titles including World of Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo.

Contact: zarubin@uw.edu

Research focus: human computer interaction, assistive technology, signal processing, human factors

Courses taught at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell:

  • CSS 301 Technical Writing 
  • CSS 350 Management Principles for Computing Professionals 

Learn more about all of the 27+ faculty in the Department of Computing & Software Systems.

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STEM Symposium Awards — 2025 /stem/news/2025/07/22/stem-symposium-awards-2025 Tue, 22 Jul 2025 22:00:13 +0000 /stem/?p=35256 On June 13, 2025, the School of STEM brought together students for the spring undergraduate STEM Symposium, where students showcased their latest research and projects. A highlight of the day was the 2nd annual award recognition ceremony, a powerful celebration honoring faculty, philanthropic donors, and students.

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On June 13, 2025, the School of STEM hosted the spring undergraduate STEM Symposium for students to showcase their research and work from the school year across all four STEM divisions: Biological Sciences, Computing & Software Systems, Engineering & Mathematics, and Physical Sciences.

Bringing together innovation, excellence, and impact, the School of STEM held its 2nd annual award recognition ceremony, applauding students, faculty, and community partners who exemplify our dedication to solving the pressing problems and confronting challenges that shape our communities, region, nation, and world.

Today, we come together to recognize those who have gone above and beyond, those who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, DEIJ values, innovation, service, and a deep commitment to their disciplines and communities. These awards are more than just honors; they reflect the values we hold dear in the School of STEM.

Jennifer McLoud-Mann, dean, School of STEM

Faculty awards

Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa Endowed 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell STEM Faculty Fellowship Award

Dr. Afra Mashhadi holding certificate and Michelle Gamboa holding glass award, shaped like a water drop
From left: Michelle Gamboa and Dr. Afra Mashhadi

In recognition of outstanding contributions in undergraduate research mentorship, broadening participation from underserved communities and inspiring the next generation of 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell School of STEM graduates to make a positive impact in their broader community and the world.

Recipient: Dr. Afra Mashhadi, assistant professor, Computing & Software Systems Division

Michelle Gamboa created this endowment in honor of her father, Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa. Discover the story behind the STEM faculty fellowship Michelle founded and find out how you can establish a fellowship to support the next generation of STEM leaders.

Philanthropic recognition

From left: Dean Jennifer McLoud-Mann and Scott Grosenick

Scott Grosenick — a proud “Double Dawg,†earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Computing & Software Systems here at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell in 2000 and 2012 — has created an endowment that will make a lasting impact for generations of students to come.

Read more about Grosenick in a 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell article, Inspired by computer science rockstars.

This year, we were able to recognize and celebrate student excellence in an exceptional way, awarding our student honorees a monetary prize made possible by the generous support of Dr. Sheree Wen.

In addition to this support, generous donors came together last year to help fund undergraduate research scholarships for summer 2025. These scholarships open doors for students to engage in meaningful experiential learning, work closely with faculty mentors, and apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world research that prepares them for their future careers.

We are deeply grateful for our donors’ thoughtfulness and generosity to the School of STEM — a testament to the strength of our community and the lifelong connection our graduates and community partners feel to 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell.

Computing & Software Systems (CSS) awards

CSS division chair, four students with certificates and the dean

CSS Best Poster

In recognition of the best Computing & Software Systems (CSS) Division poster presentation during the Capstone Colloquium.

Recipients:

  • Spring 2025: Sarah Anderson
  • Winter 2025: James Day
  • Autumn 2024: Aditya Pillai
  • Summer 2024: Lily Aguirre

CSSE Outstanding Academic Performance

In recognition for high academic achievement for students graduating between summer 2024 and spring 2025 with a major in Computer Science & Software Engineering.  

Recipient: Jordan Lavigueure

Applied Computing Outstanding Academic Performance

In recognition for high academic achievement for students graduating between summer 2024 and spring 2025 with a major in Applied Computing.

Recipient: Anni Khanal

CSS Graduate Studies Best Thesis Award

In recognition of the most outstanding thesis from a Computing & Software Systems graduate student during the past year. 

Recipient: Phat Tran

CSS Graduate Studies Best Thesis or Capstone Project that Incorporates Diversity, Equity, inclusion, and/or Justice

In recognition of the most outstanding thesis or project from a Computing & Software Systems graduate student during the past year that made an impact in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and/or Justice. 

Recipient: Elias Martin 

Physical Sciences Division (PSD) awards

PSD division chair, eleven students with certificates and the dean

Student Success Award

In recognition of outstanding contributions to the chemistry or physics program through achievements in mentoring, service, scholarship, and research.

  • Physics: Carol Miu

Academic Achievement Award

In recognition of outstanding performance in chemistry or physics coursework.

  • Chemistry: Zach Thomas 
  • Physics: Jayron Yucker 
  • Earth System Sciences: Dash Paulson

Outstanding Peer Facilitator

In recognition of outstanding accomplishments as a peer facilitator and helping other students achieve their goals and potential.

  • Chemistry: Ethan Gause
  • Physics: Morrigan

Outstanding Researcher

In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in chemistry or physics research.

  • Chemistry: Zach Thomas
  • Physics: Liliana Flores
  • Earth System Sciences: Brendan McCindle 

Physical Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Award 

Winners of this award show excellent potential as researchers, and they receive a stipend from the chair of the Physical Sciences Division to support summer research. 

Recipients:

  • Kaito T. Hasebe, working with Dr. Joey Shapiro Key on their project “Fast Radio Burstsâ€
  • Jude Pazier, working with Dr. Subramanian Ramachandran on their project “The Design of a Sample Stage and Search for Resistive Transition in the Superconducting State of Bulk MgB2â€
  • Tobias Roetteler, working with Dr. Lori Robins on their project “Stability of Chronic Wound Dressingsâ€
  • Hana Yu, working with Dr. Hyung Kim on their project “New Proteins in the Nitrogen Cycleâ€

Earth System Sciences Recognition of Community Engagement

In recognition of outstanding contributions to the community through achievements in mentoring, service, scholarship, and research.

Recipient: Aidan McQuilkin

Biological Sciences (BIO) awards

Bio division chair, seven students with certificates, the dean and a faculty member

Outstanding Biology Community Engagement Award 

In recognition of outstanding contributions to the community through leadership, outreach, and service. 

Recipient: Jiwan Tib

Outstanding Biology Equity and Justice Award

In recognition of outstanding contributions to the community through equity and inclusion service, outreach, and leadership work. 

Recipient: Gurleen Dosanjh 

Outstanding Biology Peer Facilitator Award

In recognition of outstanding accomplishments as a peer facilitator and helping other students achieve their goals and potential. 

Recipient: Newton Austria Ball 

Outstanding Biology Peer Award

In recognition of outstanding contributions as a peer and colleague, demonstrating kindness, support, collegiality, support, and mentorship to fellow Biology students.  

Recipients:

  • Vivian Lam 
  • Hadiya Amjad

Outstanding Biology Independent Researcher Award

In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in Biology research. 

Recipients:

  • Christian Paulos
  • Joanna Agana

Engineering & Mathematics (E&M) awards

E&M division chair, eleven students with certificates and the dean

E&M Academic Excellence Award

In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in mathematics or engineering research.

  • Electrical Engineering: Giovanni Dominguez
  • Mechanical Engineering: Charlotte Morrison
  • Computer Engineering: Hong K Nguyen
  • Mathematics: Alex Lewis
  • Mathematics: David Z. Gershnik

E&M Leadership and Service Award

In recognition of contributions to the mathematics or engineering programs through achievements in mentoring, service, scholarship, and research.

  • Electrical Engineering: John Vertner
  • Electrical Engineering: Jason Truong
  • Mechanical Engineering: Brooke Ojala
  • Computer Engineering: David Kim
  • Mathematics: Cassandra Humarang

E&M Resilience Award

In recognition of resilience in overcoming significant obstacles and challenges in the mathematics and engineering programs.

  • Electrical Engineering: Kenneth Ho
  • Electrical Engineering: Julianne DeGuzman
  • Mechanical Engineering: Haley James
  • Computer Engineering: Husai Ehrari
  • Mathematics: Bryan Zeutenhorst

Celebrating achievement

Each award recipient demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation within their respective fields. Their accomplishments reflect academic excellence and highlight their commitment to advancing research, fostering community engagement, and representing the School of STEM’s vision and mission.

To our award recipients, your achievements are a testament to your hard work, curiosity, and commitment to excellence. You’ve not only excelled in your fields, you’ve inspired those around you. We are so proud of you.

Jennifer McLoud-Mann, dean, School of STEM

The School of STEM congratulates all award winners and expresses gratitude to the countless faculty, staff, students, and partners for their continuous support and contributions to making the 2nd annual STEM Symposium a resounding success.

Learn more about the School of STEM Symposium.

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Spring 2025 Quarterly Crossroads /stem/news/2025/06/12/spring-2025-quarterly-crossroads Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:49:33 +0000 /stem/?p=35187 Spring 2025 edition of The Quarterly Crossroads, a quarterly newsletter of leadership updates, school highlights, student stories, news and upcoming events for the School of STEM.

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The Quarterly Crossroads is a quarterly newsletter of leadership updates, school highlights, student stories, news and upcoming events for the School of STEM.

Letter from the dean

Jennifer McLoud-Mann

There’s something energizing about spring quarter — a season of celebration, achievement, and new beginnings. As many of our students prepare to cross the stage at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell’s commencement on June 15, the excitement across campus is unmistakable. Congratulations to all those graduating!

I invite you all to join us this Friday, June 13, as we celebrate STEM students at the Spring 2025 STEM Symposium & 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony.

It’s inspiring to see innovative ideas and passion coming from undergraduate research and projects. Our 2nd annual awards ceremony is at 1 p.m. in Discovery Hall (DISC-061) and will recognize students and faculty for their achievements in academic excellence, resiliency, engagement, leadership and service over the academic year. Check the symposium website for the full schedule.

While federal and state budget pressures continue to impact higher education nationwide, I’m encouraged by 56³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s proactive efforts to strengthen our financial resilience. I’m especially grateful for the many ways our School of STEM community comes together to support experiential learning, meaningful events, undergraduate research, and student scholarships — all of which directly enrich our students and help keep the transformative education we’re known for thriving. A heartfelt thank you to our STEM Advisory Board for generously sharing their time, expertise and support. I appreciate your partnership helping connect our students to industry through impactful career events and mentorship.

As we close the book on this academic year, I’m filled with gratitude and pride reflecting on all we’ve accomplished together. It’s been an exciting first year for me as dean, and one of the greatest joys has been seeing the many ways our faculty, staff, and students are recognized for their outstanding achievements. In this newsletter, you’ll discover prestigious awardees, inspiring mentorship and bold innovation — all of which reflect the incredible impact of this community. It’s an honor to celebrate these achievements with you all.

– Jennifer McLoud-Mann, dean and professor

If the link has expired, email stemcomm@uw.edu to get a copy of this edition.

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Rachel Scherr, associate editor of Physical Review Physics Education Research /stem/news/2025/06/08/rachel-scherr-associate-editor-of-physical-review-physics-education-research Sun, 08 Jun 2025 18:09:34 +0000 /stem/?p=35147 Physical Review Physics Education Research has appointed Dr. Rachel Sherr, associate professor in the School of STEM's Division of Physical Sciences, as an associate editor.

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Physical Review Physics Education Research has appointed Dr. Rachel Scherr, associate professor in the School of STEM’s Division of Physical Sciences, as an associate editor.

Dr. Scherr’s research explores hands-on physics labs, faculty development, and inclusive teaching in quantum mechanics. A leader in physics education, she has served as a conference organizer, doctoral advisor and community leader.

In 2017, she was named a fellow of the American Physical Society for her foundational work on energy learning, classroom video analysis, and her leadership in the physics education research community.

Check out the .

Reflecting on the appointment, Dr. Scherr shared, “Peer review is one of the most important forms of communication among scientists. I think of the review process as an authentic conversation between peers about a matter that is important to both of them. A framework of mutual understanding and growth improves the quality of research in the field by creating conditions in which colleagues appreciate peer review as a valuable source of substantive feedback on their work.”

Congratulations, Dr. Scherr! Your continued work enriches the physics education community and helps pave the way for a more inclusive and innovative future in the field. Through her research and leadership, she supports both current educators and the next generation of physicists.

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56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell students represent at 2025 WiCyS conference /stem/news/2025/06/04/uw-bothell-students-represent-at-2025-wicys-conference Wed, 04 Jun 2025 22:53:46 +0000 /stem/?p=35135 Five 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell students and one faculty member joined thousands of women from across the country in April at the 2025 Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Five 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell students and one faculty member joined thousands of women from across the country in April at the in Nashville, Tennessee. Sponsored by the School of STEM’s Division of Computing & Software Systems (CSS) and supported by the 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell chapter of WiCyS, their attendance marked an important step in their journeys as emerging leaders in a historically male-dominated field.

The Division of CSS was also proud to serve as a Gold Sponsor of WiCyS 2025, demonstrating the school’s strong commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM — especially in cybersecurity.

Finding opportunity and community

Master’s student Azmeen Mohammad came to 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell curious about cybersecurity, despite having no formal background in the field.

“Cyber is something which is not very much talked about by many people,†Mohammad said. “But there are so many opportunities in cyber.â€

She discovered the 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell WiCyS chapter through friends and took a cybersecurity elective during her first year. Although her initial application for conference sponsorship was unsuccessful, her dedication remained strong. She later became a club officer and reapplied in her second year – this time earning a sponsorship from the CSS division to attend WiCyS 2025.

While other conferences she’s attended have been gender-inclusive, the WiCyS conference is specifically geared towards women – the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in cybersecurity.

“It felt so empowering to see all these women coming together and working in an area that is usually so male-dominated,†she said.

Jui Bangali, a master’s student and current president of the 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell WiCyS chapter, followed a similar path. Having worked in cybersecurity at Dell before graduate school, Bangali was familiar with WiCyS but hadn’t been directly involved. After joining 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell, she dove into the club and eventually became chapter president.

As a chapter president, Bangali received a sponsorship to attend the conference from WiCyS itself. She noted the exclusivity of the event as it’s open only to sponsored students and industry partners, which creates stronger networking opportunities.

Exploring the WiCyS 2025 experience

The conference featured a mix of technical workshops, hands-on labs, mental wellness sessions, and networking socials hosted by major companies. The focus on mental health and work-life balance was a standout for both students.

“They didn’t just concentrate on the technical aspect of the conference, but they also made sure that there were a few sessions which were related to mental wellbeing,†Mohammad said.

To offset travel costs, Bangali signed up to volunteer at the conference. She volunteered to help with some of the speaker sessions, which she says allowed her more networking time.

“You get an opportunity to be closer to the speaker,†Bangali said. “Everybody kind of got to ask questions, but because you’re a volunteer, it adds another layer.â€

The conference also included a career fair, where students received specific feedback on their résumés from recruiters.

“They actually take your resume and read out the resume and they pinpoint things like ‘these need to be changed if you’re applying for our company,’†Mohammad said. “There were a few companies who were giving very detailed feedback.â€

Bangali found the opportunity to practice elevator pitches on recruiters helpful. Some of the workshops throughout the conference focused on this skill, and the career fair was the perfect place to practice.

“It’s an important skill; you barely get one minute with the person,†Bangali said. “So, you want to make sure you’re able to convey everything.â€

Building a future in cybersecurity

The School of STEM Graduate Programs continue to attend the conference and share information about how to advance as a professional in the field with the Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering.

continues to grow as a supportive, inclusive space for students interested in cybersecurity. Sponsorship opportunities through WiCyS and the CSS division continue to serve as an investment in our students and their opportunities to gain leadership skills, industry connections and the confidence to lead in STEM.

Students, faculty, and the graduate admissions adviser representing 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell’s STEM Graduate Programs at the 2025 WiCyS Conference — connecting, inspiring, and advancing diversity in cybersecurity.

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Dr. Jong Yoon named 2025 Academic Engineer of the Year by PSEC /stem/news/2025/05/28/dr-jong-yoon-named-2025-academic-engineer-of-the-year-by-psec Wed, 28 May 2025 22:30:46 +0000 /stem/?p=35103 Recognized for his excellence in education, research, and community impact, Dr. Jong Yoon has been awarded the 2025 Academic Engineer of the Year award by the Puget Sound Engineering Council (PSEC).

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We are proud to highlight that Dr. Jong Yoon, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering in the School of STEM’s Division of Engineering & Mathematics, has been named the 2025 Academic Engineer of the Year by the Puget Sound Engineering Council. This prestigious recognition honors Yoon’s exemplary contributions to engineering education, innovative research, and community engagement.

Yoon was honored at the 66th Annual PSEC Engineer of the Year Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 26, at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. Dean Jennifer McLoud-Mann had the honor of introducing Yoon and welcoming him up to the stage to accept his award.

“He lives the mission of our School of STEM, transforming lives — one student at a time,†said Dean McLoud-Mann. “From supporting first-generation college students here in Washington to mentoring Korean students across the globe, Yoon’s reach is both personal and far-reaching.â€

A leader in innovation and impact

Yoon directs the Smart Medical Devices Lab at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell, where his research bridges mechanical engineering, robotics, and biomedical devices. His work focuses on developing cutting-edge technologies to improve the lives of individuals with physical disabilities and to support caregiving tasks.

Among his most impactful projects is the development of a smart multifunction toilet wheelchair — a device designed to restore dignity and independence for users, while enhancing safety and efficiency for caregivers. His lab also explores minimally invasive surgical robotics, multi-modal medical imaging, and neural interfaces for assistive technologies.

Yoon’s work has led to multiple patents and has received support from agencies including the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

A global perspective, a local commitment

Yoon brings a diverse range of experience to 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell. He previously served as an assistant professor at Qatar University and worked as a research engineer at Samsung Electro-Mechanics. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington, where he developed an automated bladder imaging system using a novel scanning fiber endoscope.

Since joining 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell in 2014, Yoon has become an integral part of the School of STEM — offering students a unique opportunity to learn from a global innovator with deep roots in interdisciplinary, application-driven research. As a founding faculty member of the Mechanical Engineering bachelor’s program, Yoon was instrumental in developing the undergraduate program curriculum and overseeing the program’s review for the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Mentorship that matters

In addition to his research, Yoon is a dedicated educator and mentor. He supported students in founding the campus chapter of the American Society for Mechanical Engineers in 2016 and still serves as their adviser. He also advises the TrickFire Robotics Club, helping students apply their classroom knowledge to real-world engineering challenges. Under his guidance, student teams have competed in national competitions such as the NASA Robotic Mining Competition and the University Rover Challenge.

Serving as an adviser since the start of the Eco-car club in 2022 (which was renamed in 2024 from The Electrical Motorsports club), Yoon supported the 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell team participating in the EV Grand Prix, an electric go-kart race for collegiate teams hosted by Purdue University in 2023. Looking ahead, the club is focused on the annual Shell Eco-marathon Americas competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2026. The Eco-car club designs and builds small, energy-efficient electric cars from scratch.

His emphasis on hands-on learning and student engagement reflects the core values of the School of STEM — providing opportunities, collaboratively engaging with our community and empowering students to become innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders in their fields.

PSEC recognizing excellence

Yoon giving remarks during the award banquet at The Museum of Flight.

The PSEC Academic Engineer of the Year Award is awarded annually to an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement in academic engineering and research. Yoon was nominated by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Western Washington Section in recognition of his significant and ongoing contributions to both academia and the broader engineering community.

Reflecting on the significance of this recent award, Yoon emphasized the personal and professional fulfillment he has found in mentoring students and serving the community.

“While time-consuming, my service to student groups as well as professional and local communities has been deeply rewarding and fulfilling — especially witnessing students grow, which has been truly priceless,†he shared. “I strongly believe that students who engage in extracurricular activities are more motivated, and that this experience is positively related to academic performance and leadership.â€

Please join us in congratulating Yoon on this well-deserved recognition. This honor not only highlights Yoon’s accomplishments but also reflects the growing impact of 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell’s School of STEM in addressing complex challenges through research, education, and innovation.

To learn more about Yoon’s work, visit the .

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A Conversation with Dr. Radia Perlman: The Mother of the Internet  /stem/news/2025/04/17/a-conversation-with-dr-radia-perlman-the-mother-of-the-internet Thu, 17 Apr 2025 22:42:17 +0000 /stem/?p=34863 On January 27, 2025, the School of STEM and the School of Business hosted Dr. Radia Perlman, a pioneer in computer networking, for an inspiring discussion as part of the Business of Science lecture series.  

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On January 27, 2025, the School of STEM and the School of Business hosted Dr. Radia Perlman, a pioneer in computer networking, for an inspiring discussion as part of the Business of Science lecture series.  

Known as the “Mother of the Internet,†Dr. Perlman revolutionized modern networking with innovations like the Spanning Tree Protocol and IS-IS link-state routing, both of which remain essential to internet infrastructure today. With over 100 patents, a National Inventors Hall of Fame induction and numerous lifetime achievement awards, Dr. Perlman has left an undeniable mark on computer science. 

During their conversation, Dr. Perlman shared powerful insights into her groundbreaking contributions to computer science and engineering, the challenges she overcame as a woman in tech and timeless design principles that continue to shape the digital world.  

If you missed this thought-provoking discussion — or want to revisit Dr. Perlman’s invaluable insights — you can watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel.  

About Radia Perlman

Radia Perlman is a Fellow at Dell Technologies. She has made many contributions to the fields of network routing and security protocols. Her IS-IS link state routing protocol design continues to be widely deployed today, and the principles have been incorporated into other routing protocols (such as OSPF). Her spanning tree bridging design transformed Ethernet from a single shared link to a network that can support many. Her contributions to network security include designing systems resilient to malicious. She wrote the textbook “Interconnections: Bridges, Routers, Switches, and Internetworking Protocolsâ€, and cowrote the textbook “Network Security: Private Communication in a Public World.†The 3rd edition of Network Security was recently published, and includes significant content about quantum computing and quantum-safe public key algorithms. She has received numerous awards including induction into the Inventor Hall of Fame, induction into the Internet Hall of Fame, lifetime achievement awards from ACM’s SIGCOMM and Usenix, election to National Academy of Engineering, election into the Washington State Academy of Science, and an honorary doctorate from KTH. She has taught courses at various universities including University of Washington, Texas A&M, MIT, and Harvard. She has a Ph.D. in computer science from MIT.

Interview questions 

  • 4:41 – Can you share a bit about your love of mathematics? 
  • 11:31 – At one point you decided you were going to leave graduate school and then you came back. Can you tell us a little more about why you came back? What motivated that? 
  • 25:27 – You’ve made incredible accomplishments throughout your life and career. What do you think causes you to be good at what you do? 
  • 31:53 – As a fellow woman in STEM, I’m curious how it’s been for you throughout your career and industry experiences where you’ve found yourself surrounded mostly by men.  
  • 39:03 – Do you have any advice for the students in the audience? 
  • 45:22 – Open Q&A

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Expanding horizons: how research and field opportunities inspire 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell biology students  /stem/news/2025/04/01/expanding-horizons-how-research-and-field-opportunities-inspire-uw-bothell-biology-students Tue, 01 Apr 2025 22:50:39 +0000 /stem/?p=34809 In autumn 2024, Assistant Professor Dr. Han-Wei Shih planned two field trips to Just – Biologics and the Allen Institute for his molecular biology students to broaden their understanding of the diverse, interdisciplinary careers available locally.  

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At the 56³Ô¹ÏÍø, students in the School of STEM experience education beyond the classroom. With smaller class sizes and a focus on one-on-one engagement with faculty, students have the opportunity to shape their academic journeys in a way that fosters personal and professional growth. For biology students, these opportunities can be transformative, as they gain exposure to real-world research, interdisciplinary collaboration and career paths that extend beyond traditional expectations. 

A personalized approach to education 

When Dr. Han-Wei Shih joined the School of STEM’s Division of Biological Sciences at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell as an assistant professor in autumn 2024, he brought a student-focused approach to his Molecular Biology course. A pre-course survey revealed to him that his students, mostly seniors planning to graduate in a few months, were unaware of the diverse career paths available to them. Instead of merely delivering lectures, he engaged students in discussions about what they already knew and what they hoped to learn. This adaptive teaching method ensured that students were not just checking boxes for graduation but were actively preparing for their future careers. 

Han-Wei Shih
Dr. Han-Wei Shih

“He wanted to go above and beyond and help us prepare not just for our academic lives, but also for our lives onward from that,†Biology Senior Adelle Nolan said. “Whether it’s our career or continuing in academia, whatever it was.† 

Eye-opening field experiences 

To expand his students’ understanding of career possibilities in biology, Shih arranged field trips to and the at the end of autumn quarter. The field trips gave students an inside look at the facilities through guided tours and interactive Q&A panels with professionals working in cross-disciplinary roles. Shih hoped that these tours would provide his students with awareness of the research community in the region and the career opportunities in the fields. Shih also wanted his students to hear from speakers with diverse STEM backgrounds, learning about their personal journeys through academia and industry and how they arrived at their current roles.  

“I strongly believe that academia and industry share a close and mutually beneficial relationship,†Shih said. “This connection is essential not only for advancing academic research but also for fostering industry growth.†

Hannah Heilman
Hannah Heilman

At Just – Biologics, students explored the intersection of biology and technology, where professionals worked in multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions. Speaker panels highlighted unique backgrounds and specialties and how they come together collaboratively in biotech research. The Allen Institute further reinforced this concept, with researchers from a wide range of backgrounds collaborating on cutting-edge projects across disciplines. 

“It was very interesting to see the types of people that go into this facility and what their roles were, what they did, and how they all interconnected,†said Hannah Heilman, a senior majoring in Biology.  

For Heilman, who’s been involved in genetics research at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell, the experience was eye-opening to the opportunities available in biology in Seattle and the value that vast research experience brings to the field. 

“Going on the field trip to the Allen Institute and Just – Biologics tied into my research because it made me appreciate the science more,†Heilman said. “It just inspired me to keep going, working at what I love, and to get as much research experience as possible.” 

A well-rounded approach to science and learning 

Adelle Nolan 
Adelle Nolan 

For many students, these experiences were more than just academic exercises — they were pivotal moments that shifted their outlook on their futures. Nolan, initially uncertain about job opportunities within their niche specialty of human sex diversity, found reassurance in seeing recent graduates working in interdisciplinary roles. 

“I came into this field trip being worried about my future and feeling like I wanted to cling on to my bachelor’s degree — find a way to stay in college forever,†they shared. “But then when I came out of that first field trip, I felt confident. I felt inspired.â€Â 

The field trips reiterated to students that a successful career in biology isn’t confined to a single specialty. The educational journey in the School of STEM is about more than just meeting graduation requirements — it’s about helping students discover their passions, build meaningful connections and step into their future with excitement and purpose. 

“The experience showed us how science thrives on collaboration and innovation,†Shih said. “As we returned to our studies, we carried with us a deeper appreciation for the endless possibilities in scientific discovery.†

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