In The News

Aerospace alumnus Jordan Evans (‘93), is reaching for the stars in his career – quite literally. As project manager for NASA’s groundbreaking Europa Clipper mission, Evans is leading the first-ever detailed study of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)’s ExpandAI program last week awarded San Diego State University a $2.8 million, four-year grant to enhance the existing artificial intelligence infrastructure, education and research capacity and prepare students for careers in AI.

San Diego State University College of Engineering seniors are prepared to envision, design, and build a better world. During the 2024 Senior Design Day, held May 1 at Viejas Arena, senior design teams presented innovative engineering projects to upwards of 2,300 attendees. In the intensive, two-semester Senior Design Course, students collaborate as an engineering team to identify and solve real-world problems, from conception to implementation. With support from sponsors, mentors, advisors, and faculty, the students put their technical knowledge, communication, and collaborative skills into practice. The students showcased various projects from growing plants on the moon and designing non-invasive health monitoring sensors to developing power line wrapping technology to prevent wildfires.

Critical thinking. Adaptability. Leadership. Teamwork. Perseverance. Aerospace engineering and serving in the U.S. Marines have a lot more in common than meets the eye. After serving nine and a half years in the military, Christopher Phillips (‘24) enrolled in San Diego State University to become an engineer. Five years later, he marched across the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier at SDSU’s Inaugural Veteran Commencement Ceremony holding a degree in aerospace engineering, focusing on aerodynamics.

The San Diego State University College of Engineering J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program, established in 2008, provides our students with the skills necessary to excel in the construction industry. This program would not be the competitive program it is today if it were not for the industry partnerships and generous donors that have contributed to the development of a hands-on program, designed to pave the way for student success, and fuel the construction workforce, and economy.

Set for 1-4 p.m. May 1 at Viejas Arena, SDSU engineering seniors will showcase innovative projects they have built from start to finish throughout the academic year.

Since its inception, the IAC has evaluated over 650 manufacturing plants. It is the oldest of all IACs in the Golden State and one of the first five centers in the country to be awarded an additional grant by the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a Center of Excellence. This new grant supports the development of the Western Regional Center of Excellence, a branch of the IAC that will allow the team to extend and enhance its complimentary environmental consulting services to local, underserved communities, all while gaining critical clean energy job experience.

The San Diego State University College of Engineering was promoted to Silver level status in the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)’s Diversity Recognition Program. An upgrade from the Bronze level status awarded in 2019, the recognition for 2024-26 honors transformative initiatives that strengthen and sustain an inclusive climate for the college’s faculty, staff, and students in a field historically dominated by males. Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Theresa M. Garcia cited three principal areas of achievement reflected in the ASEE’s higher recognition: “The inclusivity and passion of the college DEI council members,” which is made up of faculty, staff, lecturers, graduate and undergraduate students; the support of college and campus leadership, including Dean Eugene Olevsky, who “supports and values the work of the council;” and “council leadership both present and past.”

Eighteen years ago, San Diego State University alumna and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Mahasweta Sarkar was hired as the first tenured female faculty member in her department. Today, she also serves as senior associate dean of Global Campus and on several committees across campus. Born and raised in India, Sarkar was surrounded by strong role models, including her father and aunt who are both civil engineers. This sparked her desire to also become a professional in the STEM field. However, during the 90’s it was not as common as it is today for women to pursue an undergraduate degree in a foreign country. Still, Sarkar has excelled in numerous ways, becoming a leader in her field and an inspiration to other aspiring engineers.

“I remember attending this STEM festival in the Petco Park stadium when I was younger and it aided in the career path I choose today. I encourage the SD community to attend the STEM festival to connect with fellow San Diegans and to allow them to find a passion they did not know they had,” said Bernice Gudino, President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and bioengineering student.

What if there was a way to strengthen our understanding of the impact football players undergo? Or, to create elderly protective gear that alerts help upon a fall? What if we could produce a smart spacesuit material that monitors force and shields astronauts? Our engineers are creating an advanced sensing technology with a lightweight, organic material (cuttlefish bone) to 3D print and advance body protection gear with alarm systems and data collection capabilities built in.

A major gift to the Cai Li and Daniel Haiming Chang Center for Electric Drive Transportation will support research and development in electric and hybrid automotive technologies. Led by Distinguished Professor Chris Mi, the center was renamed in a Dec. 11 ceremony.

Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Joseph Katz has earned the AIAA San Diego Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding dedication and passion for his work. Over the past four decades of his career, he has positively influenced the fields of aerospace, aerodynamics, and mechanical engineering disciplines. From his research on fluid mechanics, combustion engines, and passenger car safety, to aviation piston engine cooling, transonic wings, and so much more, Katz has played pivotal roles in advancing the machinery and technology that we use in the modern world.

In an October 2023 Stanford University study, three San Diego State University aerospace engineering faculty members ― professors Ping Lu, Luciano Demasi, and Joseph Katz ― ranked in the top 2% of aerospace and aeronautics authors worldwide.