A personalized approach to education 

When Dr. Han-Wei Shih joined the School of STEM’s Division of Biological Sciences at 56�Թ��� 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. 

“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.” 

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 56�Թ��� 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 

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.” 

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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“We are so grateful to our donors and faculty who know how important it is for our engineering students to work on projects using industry-grade equipment so that they are workforce ready,” Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Sharon Jones said.  

Located in Innovation Hall 015, the Engineering Machine Shop serves as a crucial resource for students in engineering and related fields. 

“A machine shop is a vital organ of an engineering program,” Mechanical Engineering Lab Coordinator Jacob Roth said. “We envisioned a teaching shop that could accommodate up to 18 students at a time, and that’s exactly what we have now.” 

The shop is split between instruction and student-driven work, serving as both a learning space and a hands-on workshop. Roth regularly assists students conducting research, building prototypes and completing capstone projects. 

Expanding access to the machine shop 

In prior years, Roth taught a three-hour hand-tools only course for students to experience some of the shop’s features. With the establishment of the new shop in Innovation Hall, he is planning to revitalize that workshop to expand opportunities in the space. Currently, access to the machine shop is limited to students who have completed the machining fundamentals course for the safety of both students and the equipment. 

However, Roth hopes to make the entire shop more accessible to a broader range of students by expanding the machining fundamentals course to all students. Currently, it has mechanical engineering prerequisites, so it’s typically only engineers taking the class. 

“It would be great if I could tell anyone and everyone, ‘take our intro to machining,’” Roth said.  

A hub for innovation & collaboration 

Access to the machine shop allows students to create custom metal parts on short notice and work one-on-one with Roth to refine designs in advanced software.  

“For research students in non-engineering disciplines, who haven’t been trained on any machines, I’ll often work with them to produce engineering drawings and then I’ll make the part for them and give it to them,” Roth said.   

Beyond coursework, the machine shop is also a hub for student clubs. Groups like the Electric Motorsports Club and the TrickFire Robotics Club frequently use the space, helping fund equipment purchases and maintenance through the Student Technology Fee. 

Souri Banerjee, a mechanical engineering graduate from 56�Թ��� Bothell, ran into difficulties using the worn-down equipment in the previous machine shop. The parts he machined for his electric motorsport club wouldn’t turn out exactly as envisioned because the equipment was well used. He reached out to Roth about utilizing the student technology fee for additional equipment since a lot of student clubs used the space. After surveying other engineering clubs to see what equipment they needed for their projects, he and Roth worked together to submit a funding request which was approved.  

“I wish we had that new equipment when we were students, because that would have made our tasks easier,” Banerjee said. “But I am so very glad that the students now and all future students are going to be able to experience machining.” 

With the funding from the Worthington Fund and the Student Technology Fee, the 56�Թ��� Bothell Machine Shop is enhancing hands-on engineering education, supporting student innovation and fostering collaboration across STEM disciplines. 

Available equipment 

• Four lathes 
• Three manual mills 
• Grinder station including chop saw 
• A vertical and horizontal bandsaw 
• Drill press 
• Two Computer Numerical Control (CNC) mills and a forthcoming CNC lathe 

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Letter from the dean

As this calendar year comes to a close, I wanted to reflect and express gratitude for many of the accomplishments that have happened during the last quarter in the School of STEM.

As you know, the school is committed to serving all students, especially those from underserved communities, and creating opportunities to raise awareness and participate in activities beyond the traditional classroom is essential for their success.

Holly Gion, STEM Advisory Board chair, and I would like to highlight some of the investments that have been making a meaningful impact for students. The first STEM Advisory Board scholarships were awarded this autumn quarter, providing critical financial support for students with significant financial need. The first endowed faculty fellowship was awarded to recognize outstanding success in undergraduate research mentorship.

The board also launched an ambitious series of events focused on raising awareness of career pathways across the spectrum of STEM disciplines. These events provide students with guidance about what to do while they are students as well as how to transition to the workforce. Keep watch for events and updates on social media (,��,��) — this is a great way to stay connected to STEM! I am deeply grateful for the advice and support advisory board members provide to the school. In this newsletter you can read about the legacy of Ralph and Doreen Boy. Ralph is one of the first STEM Advisory Board members and our first emeritus board member.

I am excited to report that the School of STEM fundraised $28,700 at the recent I heart 56�Թ��� Bothell luncheon. Some of the proceeds from this event will fund research scholarships to increase experiential learning opportunities for students who collaborate with faculty or community and industry partners. Experiences like these help students discern their professional pathway, which is especially important to 56�Թ��� Bothell’s large population of first-generation college students. Thank you for your generous contributions and support  — they help STEM students significantly!

Now that we have settled into Innovation Hall, we hosted a STEM Soirée, a night of innovation and impact, in October to celebrate this new space that transforms traditional classrooms and offers improved and expanded lab spaces. At the event we unveiled the newly named electrical engineering student project/capstone lab, the “Decuir Room,” thanks to the generous gift from Joseph Decuir in honor of his father Laurence Decuir.

The School of STEM has been anticipating an announcement about who will be named the next permanent dean for the School of STEM. With this newsletter planned for Tuesday, it was nice timing that the 56�Թ��� Bothell Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs announced on Monday that I will have the privilege to continue on in this role as the official spokesperson for the school. A big thank you to everyone who participated in contributing to this process.

We are looking forward to launching a new year and exploring innovative ways that we can continue to collaborate to enhance the student experience. Together with you, we will transform lives, one student at a time.

Happy Holidays to everyone from the School of STEM!

– Jennifer McLoud-Mann

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Building on gravitational wave research from the last decade, the European Space Agency (ESA) teamed up with NASA for the upcoming . NASA’s Astrophysics Division selected six U.S. scientists from all over the nation to serve on the joint ESA-NASA LISA Science Team; they will join a team of eleven European scientists along with two interdisciplinary scientists and a representative from the LISA Consortium.

Among the six U.S. scientists chosen is 56�Թ��� Bothell’s Dr. Joey Shapiro Key, associate professor in physics.  

We’re going to be working hard to ensure the success of the mission. But that is something that I want to contribute my time to.

A multi-generational legacy in astronomy 

During her time in graduate school at Montana State University, Key intended to focus on cosmology but was still unsure of her path. She began working on cosmology research with Dr. Neil Cornish but changed to his research group’s focus on gravitational waves.    

“I was an astrophysics major in college and I worked on cosmology in undergrad,” Key said. “But in grad school, I started working on gravitational wave astronomy because that’s what my adviser was working on.”   

Key’s research has contributed to LIGO, LISA and NANOGrav, the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves.    

“These big missions that we do, like LIGO and like LISA, they’re multi-generational,” Key said. “I mean, really human generations, scientific generations and academic generations.”   

Key’s adviser, Cornish, had been working on these missions long before he taught her, and now she is teaching students who will become leaders in this field in 10 to 15 years. Cornish is also one of the six scientists selected to work on the LISA mission, so after many decades of working and researching, Key and Cornish will reunite for the project as peers and colleagues.    

“I trained with him and learned from him,” Key said. “It’s fun and exciting to continue collaborating with him in this new role.”  

Nurturing curiosity and discovery in the classroom 

As an associate professor at 56�Թ��� Bothell, Key incorporates current research and discoveries in her teaching. Because it’s happening in real-time, gravitational wave research makes its way into her physics and cosmology courses, classical mechanics and astronomy 101.    

“It’s natural and timely to include all of this in classes,” Key said.    

56�Թ��� Bothell provides programs and opportunities for students to get involved in cutting-edge gravitational wave research. Last year, Jayron Yucker, a senior pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Physics, received an email from Key offering her mentorship. Yucker became involved in Key’s gravitational wave research group and was encouraged to apply for the Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). In this program, he worked with simulated LISA data – particularly looking at extreme mass ratio inspirals (EMRI), small black holes orbiting supermassive black holes.  

Astronomy is sort of a gateway science. People can get excited even if it doesn’t connect to the details of their everyday life.  

One of the more well-known opportunities at 56�Թ��� Bothell are the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs, which provide students with immersive research experiences over the summer. August Muller, a visiting researcher at 56�Թ��� Bothell, was part of the 2021 Physics REU cohort working with Key on LISA EMRI search techniques. Muller came to 56�Թ��� Bothell because it was one of the only research programs she applied to that would give her hands-on research experience. Even after completing the REU, Muller kept updated on the gravitational wave project and it later became the focus of her bachelor’s thesis. 

“I sort of realized in that moment that I was having more fun in the research that I was doing with Joey,” Muller said. “Trying out different fields and really using that as an opportunity to figure out what one likes and doesn’t like as an academic and as a scientist, I think was very useful to me.” 

Now, Muller’s beginning a 10-month Fulbright fellowship at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics where she will be continuing her gravitational wave research.   

“That’s how the undergraduate research goes,” Key said. “They’re long-term projects that students come on and learn about the project and contribute and then sort of pass it along.”   

Due to the generational longevity of this field, K-12 outreach efforts are crucial for engaging high school students in gravitational wave research. Initiatives like the aim to make complex scientific concepts accessible and exciting for younger audiences.   

Through outreach and research opportunities, educators like Key are cultivating the next generation of scholars in this relatively young field.    

“Astronomy is sort of a gateway science,” Key said. “People can get excited even if it doesn’t connect to the details of their everyday life.”  

LISA’s unique design: A space-based revolution 

Set to launch in 2035, LISA’s design consists of three spacecraft arranged in an equilateral triangle, with laser beams extending approximately 2.5 million miles on each side measuring the distance between them. When an astronomical event occurs, the gravitational waves will cause the spacecrafts to shift slightly. The lasers will measure that distance and send the signal to scientists down on Earth to analyze – which is the role Key is assisting with.    

Designing this mission to be in space is more complicated according to Key, but it holds a lot of advantages. Because it will operate in space, LISA will span larger than the Earth and be incredibly sensitive to gravitational waves — resulting in LISA collecting a lot of data for scientists. One of the key objectives of the mission is to learn more about supermassive black holes. Located at the center of almost every large galaxy, a supermassive black hole has a mass of hundreds of thousands to billions of times the Sun’s mass, according to NASA. But scientists know very little about them. 

“LISA is our only prospect for observing those kinds of systems,” Key said.    

This ability to capture the subtle shifts caused by gravitational waves will revolutionize our understanding of the fundamental nature of gravity, black holes and galaxies.  

Key’s commitment to advancing gravitational wave research 

Due to its incredible sensitivity, LISA will collect a lot of overlapping signals which will need to be analyzed so they aren’t contaminating each other. Key’s role in the mission is to analyze simulated LISA data since the mission has not yet launched.  

“It makes it an interesting data analysis problem,” Key said. “Right now, I use simulated LISA data to demonstrate our analysis techniques – that’s what I do with students here at 56�Թ��� Bothell.”   

Key’s role in the mission is essential because her work enables LISA’s gravitational wave data to identify the properties of different astrophysical sources. Key’s term on the LISA science team will last three years; collaborating with the other scientists selected and learning more about the data that LISA will collect on its 4.5-year mission orbiting around the Sun. 

“It’s a great honor to be selected,” Key said. “Our field is full of smart, talented, motivated scientists working to answer these kinds of questions, this new kind of astronomy and this new way to observe the cosmos and black holes and other kinds of sources. We’re going to be working hard to ensure the success of the mission. But that is something that I want to contribute my time to.” 

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Hovesepian realized during her undergraduate path that studying Biology and going into research probably wasn’t the right path for her and she didn’t really know where to go from there. 

“Basically, it was really just a combination of knowing that I needed to do something else — not knowing what that was,” Hovesepian said.  

From Biology to bytes 

As an employee at the University of Washington, she decided to utilize the and began taking entry level software engineering courses. She tried auditing and sitting in on an introduction to software engineering course but stopped attending two weeks into class. Her interest was sparked, but she lacked the belief in her abilities to be able to do the work. The following summer after chatting more with her friends who work in the software engineering industry, she found the motivation to enroll in the course.  

“The second time around, for some reason, things just started making sense,” Hovesepian said. “So I stuck with it. I finished it. Did pretty well.” 

Hovesepian looked into ways to further her education and pivot her career path, and she found the GCSDD program at 56�Թ��� Bothell.  

“It is an actual degree, even though it’s not a bachelor’s or a master’s,” Hovesepian said.  

“A lot of boot camps that I was looking at, they’re good in their own way and you get a different kind of experience,” she expanded. “But you don’t really get anything that you can show as a form of a degree, which tech doesn’t care about nearly as much as other industries.” 

Speed-running a tech transition 

The GCSDD is a part-time, nine-month curriculum intended for people interested in switching careers towards the software engineering industry. The program also provides a pathway for individuals to continue their education and pursue a Master of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering or Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering. 

The program’s structure offered a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, tailored for individuals from non-traditional backgrounds. Hovesepian said that the courses gave her an understanding of the basics of a software engineering degree in a very short time frame which helped her to land a job in the field.  

“There’s only so much you can teach people in a part-time program in nine months,” Hovesepian said. “You get the basics of a software engineering degree, and a good amount of preparation for what you need to know to be able to interview for a job.” 

Community impact on career changes 

Despite the long hours of commitment to both the program and working a full-time job, Hovesepian said the greatest thing she gained from the program was her connections to her classmates. They all became a support system for each other, creating study groups and friendships to last much longer than nine months.  

“You’re just all in the same boat together, but you also are coming from similar backgrounds,” Hovesepian said. “I met at least two other people there who were also from Biology or basic science backgrounds who are now trying to switch into tech.” 

The study groups she and her peers formed supported each other through the classes and switching to the technology field in general.  

“It’s really hard to switch from any career to another, but tech especially is difficult to learn; it’s difficult to do,” Hovesepian said. “It’s so easy to get discouraged. Just being able to talk to people who have gone through the same thing or something similar was so huge for me.” 

Looking to the future 

Upon finishing her graduate certificate program, Hovesepian enrolled in the Master of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering. She completed two quarters of the program before putting it on hold to invest all her time in a software development engineer position at Amazon. She didn’t want to stress about managing a new program while starting a new job and learning how to be a better engineer in a workplace was her priority.  

“I might come back to it,” Hovesepian said. “That just really depends on how work goes and how my goals change.” 

Hovesepian acknowledges that while formal education is incredibly helpful, practical experience can often be just as crucial. Her ability to adapt and prioritize her career goals has been key to her success following the GCSDD.  

Hovesepian’s journey underscores the impact that educational programs like the GCSDD at 56�Թ��� Bothell can have on career transitions. While the path from Biology to software engineering held challenges, Hovesepian’s story highlights the importance of perseverance, practical experience and the support from community. As she continues to navigate her career her experience reflects a broader truth: with dedication, belief in yourself, and the right resources, career shifts can lead to fulfilling new opportunities.  

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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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Letter from the dean

On February 1, I was honored to step into the role of interim dean for the School of STEM. My immediate focus was to provide continuity for faculty and staff as the school conducts a national search to identify the next permanent dean later in the calendar year. I have been utilizing my super power — listening — to ensure that those around me have the support they need to be successful.

I have been excited to collaborate with others to enhance the student experience for STEM students. We have increased industry engagement on campus by hosting a variety of events such as the Avanade-sponsored hackathon and the Boeing AI Innovation Challenge that you will read about later in the newsletter. We generated $21,346 on Husky Giving Day from contributions to the STEM Excellence Fund, STEM DEI Excellence Fund, and STEM Scholarship Fund — thank you again for these generous contributions and support!

I would like to encourage everyone to join us on June 7 for the STEM Symposium, a signature event where students present results from experiential learning opportunities and are recognized for their excellence by the faculty. As a part of the STEM Symposium, we will host the first Annual All STEM Recognition Ceremony from 1:00-1:45 p.m. in Discovery Hall, room 061 to celebrate our amazing students receiving awards and the new Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa Endowed 56�Թ��� Bothell STEM Faculty Fellowship Award winner!

To our STEM students graduating this year, I extend a heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you! You have demonstrated excellence in challenging STEM programs and the triumphs you have achieved are remarkable — a true testament to your unwavering dedication and brilliance. I am proud of you and excited for you to continue on your journey.

As I finish my 11th year in the School of STEM, I continue to be extremely proud of how my community supports students both inside and outside the classroom. Together, we transform lives, one student at a time.

– Jennifer McLoud-Mann

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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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