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 56�Թ��� Bothell STEM Faculty Fellowship Award

In recognition of outstanding contributions in undergraduate research mentorship, broadening participation from underserved communities and inspiring the next generation of 56�Թ��� 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

Scott Grosenick — a proud “Double Dawg,” earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Computing & Software Systems here at 56�Թ��� 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 56�Թ��� 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 56�Թ��� Bothell.

Computing & Software Systems (CSS) awards

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

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 Bursts”
• 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 MgB2”
• Tobias Roetteler, working with Dr. Lori Robins on their project “Stability of Chronic Wound Dressings”
• Hana Yu, working with Dr. Hyung Kim on their project “New Proteins in the Nitrogen Cycle”

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

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 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.

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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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 56�Թ��� 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.”

She discovered the 56�Թ��� 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 56�Թ��� 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 56�Թ��� 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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

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The School of STEM hosted its inaugural award recognition ceremony and recognized students and faculty for their outstanding achievements, academic excellence, resiliency, engagement, leadership and service during the academic year.

Faculty awards

Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa Endowed 56�Թ��� Bothell STEM Faculty Fellowship Award

In recognition of outstanding contributions in undergraduate research mentorship, broadening participation from underserved communities and inspiring the next generation of 56�Թ��� Bothell School of STEM graduates to make a positive impact in their broader community and the world.

Recipient: Dr. Joey Shapiro Key, associate professor, Physical Sciences Division

Michelle Gamboa created this endowment in honor of her father, Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa. But a special thanks to Michelle, your endowment will leave an everlasting impression on our School and your father’s legacy will support undergraduate research, inspire students and change lives. Thank you, Michelle, for founding this in the School of STEM at 56�Թ��� Bothell. Read more about the .

Read the 56�Թ��� Bothell story “A gift to ‘the faculty who make 56�Թ��� Bothell so special’.”

I believe that someone’s path in life can change in a moment, all it takes is a person or an experience that influences that person and gives them a spark of inspiration.

Michelle Gamboa, endowment founder, STEM advisory board co-chair, alumna

Physical Sciences Division (PSD) awards

Student Success Award

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

• Chemistry: Lauren Woods
• Physics: Roland Rothwell

Academic Achievement Award

In recognition of outstanding performance in chemistry or physics coursework.

• Chemistry: Sam Bowers
• Physics: Abby Wang
• Earth System Sciences: Neil Hicks
• Earth System Sciences: Sylvia Gholson

Outstanding Peer Facilitator

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

• Chemistry: Ben Green
• Physics: Parbeen Sekhon

Outstanding Researcher

In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in chemistry or physics research.

• Chemistry: Shiho Higuchi
• Physics: Randall Te

Earth System Sciences Recognition of Community Engagement

Recipient: Aidan McQuilkin

Biological Sciences (BIO) awards

Engagement and Leadership Award

In recognition of contributions to the biology program through achievements in community building and student engagement.

• Recipient: 56�Թ��� Bothell Biology Club
  • Tavleen Singh
  • Shrinithi Arun
  • Tavleen Singh
  • Ilhan Dirie
  • Michelle U. Vo
  • Esha K Gill
  • Ethan Y Park
  • Jiwan Kaur Tib
  • Dang Truong

Computing & Software Systems (CSS) awards

CSS Best Poster

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

Recipient: Chrishansel Raphael Dimiputra

Engineering & Mathematics (E&M) awards

E&M Academic Excellence Award

In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in mathematics or engineering research.

• Mathematics: Andrew Cheney
• Mathematics: Martin F. Martinez
• Mathematics: Lana Young

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: Casey Duncan
• Mechanical Engineering: Cory Morin

E&M Resilience Award

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

• Mathematics: Marie Culp
• Mathematics: Morgan Futty
• Mathematics: Taylor Gibbons
• Electrical Engineering: Majeedah Abdul-Azeem

Service to the School of STEM

In recognition of exceptional work at the School of STEM Capstone Symposium and dedication to serving the students of 56�Թ��� Bothell.

Recipients:

• Haydn Tamura
• Anna Ritchie
• Erika Lee

Celebrating achievement

Each award recipient demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation within their respective fields. Their accomplishments not only reflect academic excellence but also underscores their commitment to advancing research, fostering community engagement, and pushing the boundaries of STEM education.

The 56�Թ��� extends its heartfelt congratulations to all award winners and expresses gratitude to the faculty, staff, and student community for their continuous support and contributions to making the STEM Symposium a resounding success.

Learn more information about the School of STEM Symposium.

— Enter password: STEM2024

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Enter the Founded in 2013 by Dr. Ambareen Siraj of Tennessee Tech University, WiCyS aims to recruit, retain, and advance women in cybersecurity, providing a platform for networking, mentorship, and professional development. As a leader in cybersecurity research and education, the 56�Թ��� School of STEM Division of Computing & Software Systems (CSS) sponsored three students and one faculty member to attend the 2024 WiCyS conference in Nashville, Tennessee.  

Forging new paths  

Among the attendees was Anne Ha, a former medical resident and 56�Թ��� Bothell alumna of the bachelor’s degree in Computer Science & Software Engineering, Information Assurance and Cybersecurity option. Ha found reassurance in her academic journey as she noted the diverse backgrounds of the other attendees and speakers. 

“I realized that there are so many other women that have come to the field with different backgrounds, and that’s inspired me a lot,” Ha said. 

As Ha continued through her undergraduate journey, she became more interested in cybersecurity and landed her current internship in a security engineer role. She decided that she should take some cybersecurity classes to help prepare her for the internship when she received the invitation from the CSS division to apply for the WiCyS conference. 

Comprised of keynote speakers, workshops, resume reviews, and socials, the conference offered attendees valuable career insights and networking opportunities. Ha highlighted that this conference was unique in that connections with professionals didn’t feel transactional. She was able to speak with people for up to an hour about her resume, career tracks, interviewing skills, and more — an experience that she felt was unique to the WiCyS conference.    

Ha noted that she’s generally an introverted person but the genuine kindness and encouragement from industry professionals at the conference helped grow her confidence.  

“This conference made me more open to other people,” Ha said. ”And I’d like to offer the same help to other women, to other students, if I have a chance to.” 

Expanding expertise  

Graduate student Rithi Afra Jerald Jothi was working in a computer science role when she applied to 56�Թ��� Bothell’s Computer Science & Software Engineering master’s program. While in the program, she took classes to dive deeper into the cybersecurity side of computer science since she was already doing some of the work in her job. Seeking more guidance about career and academics paths, Rithi applied for the CSS scholarship to attend the WiCyS conference because she felt like it would be a good opportunity to learn more about the security side of the computer science field.  

“I was a little confused if I have to direct my career toward the software development side or security,” Rithi said. “So, I was just looking out for opportunities which would enhance my ideas on these domains so that it would give me a clearer picture.”  

At the conference, Rithi connected one on one with industry professionals and received a lot of advice on her career — valuable wisdom that she says she would not have been able to receive had she not attended.   

“All of them were able to give me insights on how to find professions which would combine both of these fields,” Rithi said. “So that was the first benefit, the biggest benefit, which helped me to shape my career at this point.”  

“I want to see more women in cybersecurity in my own classrooms and then in the industry and so on.”  

Dr. Geethapriya Thamilarasu

Empowerment through community  

For Dr. Geethapriya Thamilarasu, associate professor in the CSS division, the conference offered more than just professional development; it provided a sense of community and support.  

“I’m the only female faculty in cybersecurity here, so sometimes meeting with other women in the cybersecurity field provides that sense of community and support in a way that I don’t usually find here,” Thamilarasu said. 

Thamilarasu attended the conference twice before but shared that it’s always an inspiring experience because of all the different keynote speakers sharing their stories. 

“No matter what stage of career you are in, hearing from these successful women in cybersecurity can be extremely inspiring, motivating and empowering,” Thamilarasu said. “And then you come back ready to pass the torch on to get more women in the field. I want to see more women in cybersecurity in my own classrooms and then in the industry and so on.”  

Elevating voices  

Gender diversity in cybersecurity is something that resonates deeply with Thamilarasu as she is currently the only female faculty in cybersecurity at 56�Թ��� Bothell. She believes that recruiting and encouraging women to join these fields of study will be “extremely important for the growth of the industry as a whole.”  

Thamilarasu notes that a diverse workforce brings a broader range of perspectives and experiences to the table — essential for developing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies.  

“You don’t know if this is a field for you unless you go and see people who look like me, who talk like me, who think like me are leading this field in so many different ways,” Thamilarasu said.   

Thamilarasu’s commitment to diversity echoes the broader efforts at 56�Թ��� Bothell, where initiatives like sponsoring student conference attendance are championed to support women in STEM fields. The university’s investment in fostering diversity and inclusion is further demonstrated by the proactive actions of students like Lily Aguirre and Margaret Lanphere, the president and vice president of the , who secured funding through the Student Academic Enhancement Fund to attend the WiCyS conference. Their initiative underscores the importance of empowering students to take ownership of their learning and professional growth.

The students and professors who attended the conference all echo the same sentiment— they gained so much from their attendance.   

“The feeling of the inspiration and the empowerment that comes from the conference is unmatchable,” Thamilarasu said. “I think that is something everybody should experience.” 

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As a university that primarily serves underrepresented student populations — comprised of about 40% first-generation, 72% students of color, and 44% eligible for federal Pell Grants — imposter syndrome is a common feeling amongst 56�Թ��� students.

Michael Cho, a 2022 56�Թ��� Bothell alumnus knows this feeling exactly.

“I struggle with it a lot still myself,” Cho said regarding imposter syndrome. “But it is just about having the confidence in yourself that you can do these kinds of things.”

Second chance

Cho began his journey into academia from a prison cell through the This experiment grants people who are incarcerated eligibility to receive the Pell Grant for postsecondary programs. Cho was part of one of the six pilot programs through Centralia College and was the first graduate for Washington State Prisons. Following his release, Cho was admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering program at 56�Թ��� Bothell.

“I realized that education’s really a great way to get out of the system and transformational for your life,” Cho said. “I was always learning, growing and I liked the academic environment.”

As an undergraduate student, Cho engaged in research with Assistant Professor Afra Mashhadi, focusing on federated machine learning. This research utilized edge devices – mobile phones – to collaboratively train a machine learning model to mitigate biases. This process allows for more diverse user-driven data, which ultimately can lead to more comprehensive research.

“He’s been a very inspirational person with the way he challenges himself, like really being motivated to learn more,” Mashhadi said. “When he said he wanted to do a Ph.D., I was just so happy because I think it really fits his personality of craving to be on top of research and learn more.”

Pursuing excellence

Cho accepted an electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. offer from the University of Georgia Institute of Technology after completing his degree at 56�Թ��� Bothell and is now working in a research lab focusing on the use of biosignals. More specifically, Cho is working on denoising, or making clearer, the signals from devices like smart watches and chest monitors. When the devices move on your wrist or chest, it can interrupt the signal and make it more difficult to interpret.

Inspired by his current work and the research he did as an undergraduate student, Cho decided to submit a research proposal to the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). The NSF GRFP is the country’s oldest fellowship program that directly supports graduate students in various STEM fields. It provides students with a three-year stipend and access to opportunities for professional development. NSF GRFP fellows can become knowledge experts who significantly contribute to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity to tell my story and try to apply for things that would make more of an impact,” Cho said.

Cho’s proposal for the fellowship combines his research in biosignals with his undergraduate work in federated machine learning. With enough user-generated data from a system like the one Cho proposes, the hope is that these biosignal watches or patches could more accurately detect things like cardiac diseases.

“It’d be cool to have a system that would be able to gather data from different sources and train it on these phones,” Cho said. “You can get more diversity of data and have the system more inclusive to other populations and demographics.”

Upon learning that he had received the fellowship, Cho recalled feeling excited, surprised, and very fortunate that he would be able to make his professors and advisors who helped him along the way proud.

Embracing the past, shaping the future

Previously, Cho stated his plans to one day teach science behind bars, and while that is still a goal, he is not entirely sure of his path going forward. While he completes his doctorate and fellowship, Cho has begun looking locally for opportunities to give back. One nonprofit he reached out to is Common Good Atlanta, an organization that provides people who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated with access to higher education.

“I definitely want to bring back some of the things that I learned and some of the benefits I have from my academic career to places where I’ve come from,” Cho said. “I still kind of don’t know exactly where I want to go, like whether it’s industry or academia, but I definitely want to try some volunteer opportunities, especially for prisons.”

Cho wasn’t immune to the imposter syndrome that challenges a lot of young academics, but his journey through academia is a testament to the resilience and determination of underrepresented students in academia.

“I always have that imposter syndrome, even at 56�Թ���, but if you keep working at it and you’re passionate about what you do and you’re genuinely like a nice, friendly person, then I think that you’ll make it pretty big if you just keep trying,” Cho said.

Cho was honored by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Sharon Jones for his fellowship at the 56�Թ��� Student Academic Showcase on May 16, 2024 – Mashhadi accepted the award on his behalf.

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Three students traveled to Orlando, Florida, to attend the 2023 in person and ten students logged on virtually. Students heard inspiring keynote speeches, attended workshops, expanded their network, met with company and higher education sponsors during the Career & Expo Hall, and felt empowered surrounded by a community of women and allies in the tech.

Increasing access and inspiring belief

The reality of attending a conference like GHC, especially out of state, feels out of reach for many students once they consider the costs to attend. Knowing this and recognizing the impact the GHC experience has on students is one of many reasons why the Division of CSS continues to sponsor the GHC conference every year and award full student scholarships to attend the conference in person or virtually.

For Greeshma Sree Parimi, a current Master of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering (MSCSSE) student who attended GHC in person, the scholarship made the trip accessible. “It meant that I could fully immerse myself in the conference without the financial burden that often comes with attending such events,” she said.

Attending a large conference can also feel a bit overwhelming and intimidating. When Breanna Powell, a current MSCSSE student who graduated from the Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development (GCSDD) bridge program at 56�Թ��� Bothell, learned she’d been awarded an in-person scholarship she felt a sense of validation.

“For me, it feels like people believe in me and my potential, even when I doubt myself,” said Powell.

“It gave me the push that I needed to go out there and search for jobs and apply,” she said. “It also encourages me to keep hosting events on campus through the 56�Թ��� Bothell Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) club and the Alliance 4 Sustainability club, because making connections is vital.”

For me, it feels like people believe in me and my potential, even when I doubt myself.

Breanna Powell, current MSCSSE student and GCSDD alumna

Opportunity through conversation

Networking at conferences specializing in a student’s major can create opportunities and propel their career forward.

Powell met a woman at GHC who was developing a VR application to help women practice tough work conversations and saw the potential in following up with them to see if they’d be willing to test it out with 56�Թ��� Bothell students.

“It was wonderful how open everyone was to just starting up a conversation, about anything they are doing, and how everyone really listened and seemed invested in connecting,” said Powell.

Shree Parimi had the chance to connect with several employers, exploring potential career opportunities and learning about the exciting projects and initiatives they’re working on.

“It was an invaluable experience to engage with these organizations and gain insights into what they are looking for in candidates,” she Shree Parimi.

One of Powell’s networking conversations led to an interview with the Los Alamos National Laboratory the next day. She fondly remembers that it was the least scared and most relaxed she had ever felt going into an interview because of their conversation the previous day.

Sustainability-focused sessions

GHC had a lot of sessions, so many that attendees had to prioritize what they wanted to attend (which was no easy choice!). Powell is very interested in green tech, so she was thrilled to see that there were several sustainability-focused sessions.

“Farm-to-Plate AI” from MathWorks was her favorite. It gave her an opportunity to use MATLAB for the first time and brought her together with a new friend, a student at the University of Missouri – St. Louis who shares her same interests.

“We got to see how to simulate a drone’s flight through a field and how computer vision and AI can help with every step of a mango’s journey to the table,” said Powell. “The strides that are being made in agrotech are going to have a huge impact on climate change initiatives.”

Growth experience

Students that attend GHC end the conference with new skills, inspiration, confidence, connections, career strategies, and a reinforced belief in the importance of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

When Powell thought about her experience, she realized it was not so scary to attend big conferences filled with software developers competing for jobs. Her experience got her thinking about how much of a difference it makes that these events exist.

“It made me even more excited to plan this year’s 56�Թ��� Bothell ACM student hackathon,” said Powell. The hackathon is a wonderful way for students to not only gain hands-on experience in programming and solving problems as a team, but it’s an opportunity to build their network and create something useful and fun.

Just like Powell, Sree Parimi would love to go back to GHC in the future.

“It’s an amazing event that fosters a sense of community and empowerment,” said Sree Parimi. “I believe it’s essential to continue attending such conferences to stay connected with the dynamic tech landscape and meet like-minded individuals.”

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His work, however, didn’t go unnoticed.

Ghadamsi was nominated by his professors for the 2023 President’s Medal, which he was presented in this year’s Commencement Ceremony on June 11.

Each year, the President’s Medal is awarded to a graduating senior with the most distinguished academic record. Students are nominated and selected from the top 2% of the graduating class in their program. In addition to their academic success, students are selected based on other honors and awards, research and publications, as well as future plans.

Ghadamsi graduated with a major in Biology and a minor in Neuroscience. He is currently taking a gap year while he applies to medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor specializing in neuroscience.

A discovery of limitless potential

Ghadamsi always knew he would go to college. Higher education was a priority for his family going three generations back.

“My grandpa was the first person to go to college in his city where he grew up in Libya,” he said. “From then on, my dad and all his siblings went to college, and my dad got the opportunity to go to the United States and study. It was ingrained into the family that college education is very important.”

From an early age, Ghadamsi had an interest in science and engineering. He enjoyed tearing stuff apart and discovering how things worked. Together with his dad, he worked on fixing cars. His interest in science deepened in high school with his biology and chemistry classes.

While college felt not only possible — even essential — to Ghadamsi as a young boy, he still believed what he could accomplish would be limited because of his heritage. “I didn’t think I could be a doctor until I was told I could,” he said. “I didn’t see anybody like me who was a doctor.”

Ghadamsi’s father challenged this perception and helped him imagine all that could be possible for him. Now, as a college graduate, what he once thought was unimaginable has become his life’s ambition. And he hopes that, as a doctor, he will also be an inspirational figure for other young people like him to see what they can achieve.

Specializing in neuroscience

Ghadamsi’s interest in neuroscience in particular started at the age of 16 when he had a seizure while having dinner with his family. Once at 56�Թ��� Bothell, he laid the groundwork for this specialization through his minor and by completing two summer internships: the 56�Թ���  and the .

“Being able to participate in a neurosurgery internship where I gained lab experience and made clinical observations really reassured me in my goal to become a doctor who studies neuroscience,” he said.

Pre-med adviser Kristen Labrecque helped him apply for the program. Then, after completing the internship, Ghadamsi in turn worked to encourage other students to apply.

“He was getting help and passing it on,” said Dr. Alaron Lewis, associate teaching professor and chair of biological sciences in the School of STEM. “This is totally in-line with what I know of Hithem — not just accepting help but passing that help on to others.”

The internship also opened Ghadamsi up to the idea of doing his own research, he said. As a senior at the 2023 56�Թ��� Undergraduate Research Symposium, he presented “.”

An accomplished student and leader

Even beyond his two internships, Ghadamsi was an accomplished student who made the Dean’s List each quarter. Lewis recalls having to remind Ghadamsi of that very fact when she asked her Cell Biology class to practice writing cover letters.

“I pointed out to him that making the Dean’s List and being eligible for the President’s Medal were impressive accomplishments that he should tell people about, and he just shrugged about it self-consciously,” she said. “Hithem is an excellent student but not in a flashy way. He is extremely modest about his own activities and accomplishments. He did not set out to get the best score, he just set out to do his best — and it turns out that his best is pretty darn good.”

Lewis added that even in remote classroom settings, Ghadamsi’s engagement with his peers stood out and his desire to learn was evident in the insightful questions he asked. As classes returned in person, his “quiet and unassuming” presence as a leader grew, she said.

“Hithem is a wonderful, caring human being. He is absolutely a leader in class. Not a loud out-in-front leader, but a ‘talk to everyone in your group’ leader and a ‘make sure everyone has a voice’ leader and ‘stop by the professor’s office to advocate for others’ leader,” Lewis said.

A desire to help others

Ghadamsi’s role as a leader and a resource for his peers extended outside the classroom to his work across several student clubs and activities, as well. One club stands out as a passion project for him: the Student Association for Refugees and Immigrants.

SAFIR was founded in 2019 to support refugees and immigrants in the campus community to succeed academically and professionally. The club works with the International Rescue Committee to develop connections with 56�Թ��� Bothell and refugees. It became inactive after the coronavirus pandemic disrupted campus activities. In the hopes of reviving the club when in-person activities resumed, Dr. Salwa Al-Noori reached out to Ghadamsi.

“Hithem’s role in SAFIR has been significant,” said Al-Noori, associate teaching professor in the School of STEM. “With the other club officers, he has worked tirelessly to facilitate events and awareness that support students from immigrant and refugee communities and which promote understanding, inclusion and practical benefits for students from diverse communities.”

As president of SAFIR, Ghadamsi helped organize events such as clothing drives, youth mentorship programs and career networking nights.

“I want to help people because it’s the right thing to do,” Ghadamsi said. “Being a first-generation American, I’ve witnessed what it was like for other people. Reflecting on my parents’ experience coming to the U.S. and having to struggle, I feel that I’ve been fortunate to have a different experience, and I want to pay that forward to others who haven’t had the same opportunities.”

Ghadamsi’s passion for SAFIR’s mission is part of his overall ambition to help others. He aims to someday practice medicine both in the U.S. and in his family’s home country of Libya. In Libya, he hopes to develop a program or a clinic to help provide health care services to the communities that need it most.

Graduating on a high note

When Ghadamsi heard he was receiving the President’s Medal, he was excited to see his dedication to his course work and his extracurricular activities recognized.

“I knew how much hard work I put in throughout college,” he said. “At times school was very challenging, so being recognized for that is very gratifying.”

His professors were thrilled to hear he had been awarded the medal.

“Hithem has consistently over the period of his undergraduate studies demonstrated the characteristics that make him truly deserving of this award; he is an excellent student not only as reflected in his impressive performance in his coursework and through his engagement in research but for the dedication and passion he brings to learning,” Al-Noori said. “He also has a strong commitment to community as can be seen by his extracurricular engagement, especially in his contributions through SAFIR and the local Greater Seattle community.

“I truly believe Hithem is deserving of the recognition conferred by this medal, and I am confident that he will continue forward with the same commitment and dedication in his future.”

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Women technologists are underrepresented across tech, but thanks to organizations like , the world is moving towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive world. Inspired by the legacy of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, AnitaB hosts the (GHC), an annual flagship event to “bring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront, and highlight the contributions of women to the tech world.”

Over 30,000 women in tech, allies, and sponsors spanning 115 countries came together virtually from September 27-October 1, 2021 to connect, inspire and drive inclusive technology that will share the future.

The School of STEM Division of Computing & Software Systems sponsored the celebration to increase the talent pipeline of women in tech and support the Anita Borg commitment of promoting intersectional gender equity in the global technical workforce. As part of the sponsorship 13 master’s degree students — 11 Computer Science & Software Engineering and 2 Cybersecurity Engineering — were awarded a complimentary registration and year-long membership to AnitaB.org.

Dare to…

The 2021 GHC theme was #DareTo — a call to action for everyone who dares to…push boundaries, change the landscape of technology, defy expectations, build something bigger, make technology inclusive, sit at the table (and then flip it over!), dream, lead, create, mentor, transform, inspire, and connect!

President and CEO of AnitaB.org, kicked off the event with the amazing host and Emmy-winning television and radio personality (pictured on the right, next to Brenda). The celebration was full of virtual keynotes, sessions, workshops, competitions, awards, and mentoring and networking opportunities. Early, mid, and senior career women had a chance to attend mentoring circles to seek advice in small, targeted groups. A multi-day career fair gave attendees the opportunity to visit virtual booths to learn more about school and company sponsors.

STEM Graduate Admission Advisor Dini Colabewala hosted a virtual career fair booth where she met with women in tech looking to take the next step in their career with a graduate degree. Attendees could pre-book Career Fair+ individual meetings at a specific day and time, or pop into the virtual booth to see live chats with prospects in real-time.

Sponsorships give back

The Division of CSS sponsorship supports diverse recruitment and gives STEM graduate students the opportunity to engage, learn, and work on their career development while in graduate school. A portion of each GHC sponsorship helps fund a year-round tech inclusion program for women who have been historically excluded from computing and tech, including women of color worldwide.

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