People

Hello SURP community,

I am so excited about the launch of the 2025 SURP program.  Let me use this space to introduce myself.  I graduated from Lowell High School in San Francisco. I completed my Bachelor's of Science degree in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior from UC Davis. From there I went straight into teaching middle school science.  I fell in love with the responsibility of impacting young students' educational pathways and decided to go back to school to pursue a career in educational leadership.  I then completed the Principal Leadership Program and earned my Masters in Education from the UCLA Graduate School of Education. I had the privilege of being the founding assistant principal of an urban public charter high school in Venice, CA and then serving as a principal at a sister charter high school.  After 12 years of working in urban public schools and pushing students up the through the college pipeline, I decided to approach the task from the other end of the pipeline. I joined UCLA Engineering in 2010 and directed the Engineering Science Corps outreach programs since. In 2017, I transitioned to a new role as Director of the Undergraduate Research and Internship Programs.  I have served as director of the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) since 2018. I look forward to meeting all SURP students and working with this cohort to discover the wonderful world of engineering and most importantly to maximize every students' academic potential. 

Hello,

My name is Maddie, and I’m currently a second-year Computer Science student at UCLA, about to begin my third year this fall. Originally from Washington state, I’ve always been passionate about technology and innovation, and I’m especially enthusiastic about the transformative potential of undergraduate research. Last summer, I interned in Seattle where I gained valuable experience in a professional tech environment and this year I am doing research in a lab myself. I’m excited to stay in Los Angeles this summer and contribute to UCLA’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program. I look forward to supporting and engaging with fellow students as they explore meaningful research topics. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand

Alma Mater: University of Southern California, CA

Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 

Advisor: Dr. Rajit Gadh

Year: 3rd-year Ph.D. Degree

Bio:

Welcome to the 2024 SURP program, Hello SURPers! Welcome to the program. I’m so excited to be part of your journey this summer. My name is Pat, and I’m a third-year Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at UCLA. My research focuses on robotics and control systems, specifically on improving battery health monitoring in electric vehicles using sensor fusion and machine learning techniques. I love solving problems at the intersection of engineering and data, especially when it involves real-world applications.

Beyond my research, I’m deeply passionate about mentoring and teaching. As a Teaching Assistant for various engineering courses, I’ve enjoyed supporting students as they grow their technical skills and confidence. I understand how important it is to have someone in your corner, especially when you’re exploring new fields or facing academic challenges, and I’m here to be that person for you.

Feel free to reach out anytime, whether it’s about research, grad life, or just to chat. I’m excited to be your facilitator this summer and look forward to a great experience together. 

Alma Mater: UCLA

Department: Electrical Engineering

Advisor: Dr. Ian Roberts

Year: 3th-year MS/Ph.D.

Bio:

I'm a 3rd year MS/PhD student in Electrical Engineering. I received my B.S. in Electrical Engineering from UCLA in 2022. My research focuses on applying deep learning to enhance existing wireless communication systems.

Hometown: Tehran, Iran

Alma Mater: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 

Advisor: Dr. Jacob Rosen

Year: 4th year PhD

Bio:

Hello everyone! I’m a 4th year PhD student in the MAE department at UCLA. I studied Master's in mechanical engineering at University of Michigan from 2018 to 2019 and worked there as a research engineer from 2020 to 2021. 

My research focuses on robotics rehabilitation of upper limb for stroke patients. Besides doing research I have been TA for MAE department in eight quarters for courses on statics, dynamics, strength of materials, aircraft design and mechanical engineering laboratory. It is my second year as a SURP facilitator.