ENG-23-4200-I3-Magazine_Final Version

USD ENGINEERING The Enormity

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IMAGINE•INNOVATE•INSPIRE

Contents

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school by holding the desire to change lives. They honor that responsibility in what they do as we have built our school over the last decade. In this issue, you will read the stories of a few of our faculty members and staff, as well as graduates who have used their USD engineering degrees to create meaningful and interesting vocations. We honor the life of lab technician, Sam Burt, who passed away after spending 12 years with us. I have been touched by the volume of stories of how he transformed lives. As we look forward to the future, we envision serving our student pop ulation in updated spaces, where they will ideate, collaborate and flourish. Several of our labs are in critical need of redesign, natural light and cutting-edge tools. We are working on raising funds to renovate these learning environments so that they are innovative and inviting to all. The Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering is embarking on creat ing new and expansive educational opportunities, including the devel opment of undergraduate data science and an artificial intelligence curriculum that are poised to become degrees. We also are broad ening our reach into international education with the development of online degrees specifically serving students living in India. And we are exploring partnerships in the Middle East, as a thrust area for internation alization, where we have many alumni who have developed deep relationships with the school. I hope you enjoy reading about our past and present accomplishments. We encourage you to participate with us as we venture into the next decade with hope for a promising future. Chell Roberts Founding Dean Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering

of the Future

“ If you hire people who share a vision and give them the freedom

FEATURE STORIES NOT YOUR AVERAGE ENGINEER

USD’s Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering

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e are standing at a poignant juncture in time — a moment where and want to make a difference — faculty members and staff who be lieved we could become a top-ranked W we have the opportunity to reflect upon the significance of the past while anticipating the enormity of the future. What a blessing to be surrounded by good people who care

Founding Dean Chell Roberts, PhD

Meet three impressive engineer ing alumni who have mapped out unusual and meaningful ways to apply their degrees in nontradi tional settings. DARKNESS TURNS TO LIGHT Dean Chell Roberts sets his sights on transforming four labs where ideas are tested and genius is realized. MEMORIES. MILESTONES. MARVELS. Growing the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering over the past 10 years has been focused on aligning the right people, partners and infrastructure.

Senior Director of Development/ Alumni Relations Elisa Lurkis elurkis@sandiego.edu Editor/Communications Manager Michelle Sztupkay michelles@sandiego.edu

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Senior Creative Director Barbara Ferguson barbaraf@sandiego.edu

04 | Beyond Ones and Zeros 05 | Advancing Mutual Interests 07 | Honoring Sam Burt 14 | A Long Way From Home 15 | News Briefs 16 | Faculty Achievements 18 | Alumni Notes 22 | Showcase Innovators 23 | Career Outcomes 24 | Class of 2023

Writers Elisa Lurkis Allyson Meyer Michelle Sztupkay

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Cover Photo Walkerssk

Contact University of San Diego Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering 5998 Alcalá Park San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 260-4627

to do it,

Email Alumni Notes to: elurkis@sandiego.edu

Website: sandiego.edu/ engineering

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miracles transpire.

Instagram: @usdengineering

Facebook: @usdEngineering

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— Chell Roberts

LinkedIn: @usd-engineering

ON THE COVER A Glimpse Into the Future USD engineering is preparing students for the future through programs that support what comes next.