Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ

ÌýÌýAcademic Engagement Award

ÌýÌýResearch Award

What does earning your awards mean to you?ÌýÌý

What excited me most was actually the nominations. It meant a great deal that my professors took the time to put my name forward, especially one who I hadn't spoken with in years. It made me feel that my time here had left more of an impression than I realized. I'll never be able to convey how grateful I am to everybody who's made these last few years what they were. When I think about what this award means to me, I think of them.

What excites you about electrical & computer engineering?

I was asked this in an interview once and realized I had no answer. I was prepared for any relevant technical question, but explaining why I cared was harder. Thinking about it afterward, I realized it's because the excitement comes first, and the explanation usually gets assembled retrospectively for whoever asks. I've since concocted a few reasons (for interview purposes), but the truth is that, when something really fits, it outruns justification.

How have your classes, research or extra-curricular experiences shaped your undergraduate journey?

This is like asking how the patty and the bun shape a burger. My classes, research, and extracurriculars have not been parts of my undergraduate journey so much as the thing itself. Like many of my peers, I spend most of my waking hours in the engineering center. After a while, this shared work gathers a sense of life around it, and with it comes a strong sense of community. It's the familiar faces that make this kind of sustained immersion possible.

What are your post-graduation plans?Ìý

Next fall I'll be starting my PhD at the University of Michigan's Computer Science and Engineering department doing research at the intersection of computer architecture and networks. Also, this summer I'll be interning at IBM, working on cache architectures for the next generation of IBM Z.

What will you miss most about Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder?

Deli Zone

ÌýÌýPerseverance Award

What does earning this award mean to you?ÌýÌý

Earning the Perseverance Award means a lot to me because there was a time when getting a degree felt more like a hope than something I thought I would actually achieve. Continuing school, let alone finishing an engineering degree, did not feel guaranteed. This award represents the choice to keep going through uncertainty and setbacks, even when progress was slow and not linear. I would not be here without the support of my twin, dad, stepmom, family, and treatment team. It reflects the work it took to rebuild, return, and stay committed to my goals. More than anything, it reminds me that perseverance is not about doing things perfectly, but about continuing forward when it would be easier to stop.

What excites you about electrical & computer engineering?

What excites me most about electrical and computer engineering is the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives. I am drawn to the idea that something I design or contribute to can directly impact someone's health, safety, or quality of life. At the same time, I love the challenge of working through complex problems and turning abstract ideas into something real and functional. Being able to combine problem solving with meaningful impact is what makes this field so exciting to me.

How have your classes, research or extra-curricular experiences shaped your undergraduate journey?

My classes and projects taught me how to approach problems methodically and work through challenges when things do not go as planned, especially though my capstone project. Being an Resident Advisor and Senior Resident Advisor shaped me in a different way by teaching me how to support others, communicate clearly, and handle responsibility. Together, these experiences helped me grow both as an engineering student and as a person.

What are your post-graduation plans?Ìý

After graduation, I will be spending three months solo traveling though Southeast Asia as a way to step outside of my comfort zone, reflect, and experience something completely new after finishing my degree. After that, I will begin in a role in research and development with Medtronic, where I am excited to work on technology that makes a real difference in people's lives and to start building a meaningful career.

What will you miss most about Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder?

What I will miss most about Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder is the community and the people I met along the way. The support I found here made a huge difference in my experience, both academically and personally. I will also miss being in Colorado and everything that comes with it.

ÌýÌýGlobal Engagement Award

What does earning this award mean to you?ÌýÌý

To me, this award is a reminder of the power of diverse perspectives. It reflects the importance of looking beyond our own borders to innovate, and it’s an honor to be recognized for embracing a global mindset within the engineering field.

What excites you about electrical & computer engineering?

What excites me most about electrical engineering is the opportunity to solve complex and meaningful problems anywhere and everywhere around the worldÌý

How have your classes, research or extra-curricular experiences shaped your undergraduate journey?

I most credit my extra curricular shaping my journey EWB, IEEE and my study abroad opened so many doors and taught me truly what is possible with an engineering degree and the impact you can make on others

What are your post-graduation plans?Ìý

I plan on traveling after graduation Ideally the day after. Starting in Budapest. I also hope to contuse my journey at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØin the fall for a Masters in electrical and computer engineeringÌý

What will you miss most about Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder?

Late night Cosmos

ÌýÌýResearch Award

What does earning this award mean to you?ÌýÌý

I am deeply honored to receive the Research Award and be recognized for my contributions in the Gyenis Quantum Lab. Earning this award is more than recognition of my technical work. I've been a member of Gyenis Quantum Lab for two years: last year, I developed an upgraded cryogenic microwave sample holder for use in characterization and measurement of superconducting quantum devices. This year, I have been investigating the electrodynamics behind inductive coupling between a qubit and its bias lin. In this project, I designed my first superconducting chips, and we are currently characterizing and measuring the on-chip devices. This award also belongs to the people who invested their time, trust, and patience in me: Assistant Professor András Gyenis and my graduate mentor Pablo Aramburu Sanchez. This award gives me confidence as I step forward in my career as an engineer and scientist that I can make real contributions to a quantum-driven future.

What excites you about electrical & computer engineering?

What excites me most about ECE is the ability to take fundamental physics and turn it into something tangible and impactful. Leveraging the building blocks of modern physics to enable previously-unimaginable computing speedups and quantum-limited sensors is at the core of my motivation. I'm particularly drawn to the electrodynamics behind superconducting quantum hardware and the surrounding microwave engineering. I find immense joy in bridging the gap between elegant quantum theory and physical devices, and one day utility-scale systems. I am most interested in superconducting processor development and quantum networking technologies that support distributed computing; ECE sits at the perfect intersection of physics and engineering for bringing these systems out of theoretical papers and into the real world.

How have your classes, research or extra-curricular experiences shaped your undergraduate journey?

Through my coursework, I completed the Quantum Engineering and Computer Science minors, took graduate courses in electromagnetic theory and quantum computer architecture, and studied quantum hardware and quantum algorithms through special topics classes. Through CU's Discovery Learning Apprenticeship program, I joined Professor Gyenis' lab in my sophomore year and went from textbook knowledge to designing hardware that accelerated our experimental cycles. The cryogenic microwave package project taught me to teach myself in a completely new way, to dig into papers and software around a field I was brand new to and push through until I found a solution. My internship at Infleqtion showed me how these same skills translate to industry, where I designed electrode hardware for a Rydberg atom-based quantum sensor, and the Quantum Scholars program further connected me to mentors, peers, and industry professionals shaping the quantum field. Outside of quantum, founding Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's Formula SAE Electric team was the experience that I am most proud of and launching the team in April 2025. Since then, we've raised nearly $100,000 to fund the car's development, recruited over 100 members, and secured a new workshop to build our all-electric formula-style racecar in parallel with our established Internal Combustion team.Ìý

What are your post-graduation plans?Ìý

I will be starting a PhD in Quantum Science and Engineering at Princeton University this fall.

What will you miss most about Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder?

I grew up in Colorado and attended Fairview High School, just 10 minutes down the road from campus. What I'll miss most is the people and the environment that made it possible to take big swings. Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder has a rare combination of world-class research, a collaborative culture, and a community that genuinely wants to see you grow. Professor Gyenis trusted me with real responsibility and Pablo met me where I was and helped me level up. With the Formula SAE Electric team, I built a brand-new student-led and student-driven community willing to spend hundreds of hours building a formula-style racecar from scratch together. I'll also miss the broader quantum community at CU. Between the faculty and ongoing research, NIST, Quantum Scholars, and all of these quantum tech startups, there's an energy around this field in Boulder that I will not find anywhere else. There's no place like Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder, that's for sure.

ÌýÌýResearch Award

What does earning this award mean to you?ÌýÌý

Research means a lot to me and has been my passion throughout my time here, I love the experience of getting to work on difficult and interesting problems with the freedom to explore new and creative solutions. The collaborative and enthusiastic research community at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØhas been very inspiring and pushed me to work hard to help contribute to the scientific community through my work, its an honor and a great feeling to be recognized by this award! I am very grateful for all of my friends, colleagues, and mentors that have supported me through my journey at CU!

What excites you about electrical & computer engineering?

Beyond how fascinated I am by the physics that enables new ideas in ECE, what excites me most about the field is the transformative positive effect new technology and innovations can have on society. Pushing the boundaries has led to life-saving medical imaging devices, miniaturized computers that can enable intelligent systems, and a global interconnectedness of information and ideas through the internet, all of which I believe when used responsibly have had significant positive impacts on individual people's lives. I am motivated to contribute to the effort to continue pushing these boundaries in pursuit of innovations for the betterment of humanity.Ìý

How have your classes, research or extra-curricular experiences shaped your undergraduate journey?

My time in research at JILA within the Sun group was very impactful in my undergraduate journey, it was a lot of fun getting to work on so many fascinating projects in quantum optics and photonics, and I was very fortunate to have found excellent mentors in Professor Shuo Sun and all of the graduate students within the group. Their guidance shaped my skills as a researcher and my physical intuition, and it sparked my passion for research to always feel I was given great opportunities to contribute, and the freedom to explore new ideas and take risks as a researcher. It was a pleasure to work in a group filled with encouraging people with so much passion for science, and I am very thankful for the impact this had on my career as a researcher!

What are your post-graduation plans?Ìý

After graduation I will be pursuing a Ph.D. in EECS at MIT, where I plan to work in the field of integrated photonics. I was introduced to this exciting field through my work in photonic crystal cavity design for coupling to trapped atoms in the Sun Group, and am hoping to work in research utilizing photonic integrated circuits to develop new innovations aimed at solving problems in areas such as LiDAR, biosensing, and advanced computing. I am very excited to continue working on important and difficult problems through research!

What will you miss most about Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder?

It's difficult to pick only one thing! I will miss the inspiring and collaborative research community, the challenging and well-instructed classes, my community of colleagues and mentors at JILA and Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØas a whole, the hiking and climbing in the mountains, and all of the amazing friends I've made during my time here! It's been a fantastic four years and I will certainly be back to visit often!

ÌýÌýCommunity Impact Award

What does earning this award mean to you?ÌýÌý

Earning the Community Impact Award means a lot to me. What makes it truly special is not just the recognition, but the people I’ve met along the way through community engagement. Some of my most meaningful experiences at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder have come from those connections and interactions. One moment I will always remember is returning to my high school to speak about my research and share advice with students. It was meaningful to give back in a way I wish I had experienced myself. Being able to support and inspire others is what this award represents to me.

What excites you about electrical & computer engineering?

What excites me most about electrical and computer engineering is the immense range of opportunities it offers. Over the years, I’ve realized that ECE is involved in almost everything, it’s not limited to just one area like PCBs or embedded systems but extends across so many different fields. I also find it fascinating how complex concepts can be broken down and taught. There was a time when I struggled with things like soldering or understanding circuits, but I’ve grown so much since then and I know there is still so much more to learn. That continuous growth is what makes it so exciting.

How have your classes, research or extra-curricular experiences shaped your undergraduate journey?

My classes have given me a strong foundation and perspective on the material, but my research experiences have had an even deeper impact. Through research, I’ve been able to identify my strengths as well as areas where I still need to grow. It has pushed me to take on new challenges, step outside of my comfort zone, and continuously learn. These experiences have helped shape not only my technical skills but also my confidence in tackling real-world problems.

What are your post-graduation plans?Ìý

After graduation, I plan to work as an intern with AE Design over the summer and transition into a full-time role in industry by the fall. I’m excited to gain hands-on experience and continue expanding my knowledge. I love learning, but I’m especially excited to apply what I’ve learned in a real-world setting. Beyond my career, I’m also looking forward to spending more time with my family and loved ones.

What will you miss most about Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder?

What I will miss most about Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder is the natural beauty of the campus. Seeing the mountains, sunrises, and sunsets every day is something I’ll always appreciate. Some of my favorite moments were simply sitting on the grass, taking everything in, and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. It’s something that made my time here feel truly special.

ÌýÌýAcademic Engagement Award

What does earning this award mean to you?ÌýÌý

Winning this award means a lot to me because it reflects how I approached my education at CU. I never saw classes as something to just complete, but as a chance to really understand what is going on and go beyond that. I combined electrical engineering and mathematics to better understand how systems behave instead of just learning how to use them. I also tried to contribute in class by asking questions and connecting ideas across topics. To me, academic engagement means being genuinely curious and constantly thinking about how systems can be improved.

What excites you about electrical & computer engineering?

What excites me most about ECE is how closely theory and real systems are connected. You can take something abstract like a dynamical system and build or observe it in hardware or machine learning models. I like that even small changes can completely change how a system behaves. ECE shows that systems are not just formulas but something dynamic that you can shape and understand at a deeper level.

How have your classes, research or extra-curricular experiences shaped your undergraduate journey?

A major decision during my time at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØwas taking a special topics class on neuromorphic computing. Taking a class outside the usual curriculum pushed me to explore what electrical engineering can do beyond standard approaches. This led me to start research in reservoir computing. While working on this, I noticed how concepts from other classes reappear in completely different settings. It also showed me that research often has no clear path, which forced me to become more comfortable working through complex and open-ended problems.

What are your post-graduation plans?Ìý

I will pursue a M.Sc. in Computational Systems Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, focusing on machine learning, dynamical systems, and hardware. I am especially interested in how real-world constraints like noise and limited precision affect intelligent systems. Long term, I plan to continue my education and pursue a Ph.D.

What will you miss most about Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder?

I will deeply miss the environment at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØthat encourages students to go deeper and truly understand the material. Being able to take classes across different areas and explore topics outside the standard path made a massive difference in my education. Beyond the academics, I will also really miss the people, the collaborative atmosphere, the beautiful campus, and Boulder itself.

ÌýÌýResearch Award

What does earning this award mean to you?ÌýÌý

I'm honored to be received the college's undergraduate research award. I spent one year working in the High Speed Digital Engineering Group and two years in the Antenna Research Group at CU, and both were deeply valuable experiences. Especially towards the end of my degree, research has been one of the most enjoyable activities I spend my time doing and the main thing that motivates me to pursue further education.

What excites you about electrical & computer engineering?

I'm excited about electromagnetics, which is the fundamental physics that describes how electric and magnetic fields behave and how they support wave propagation. The application of electromagnetics to engineering problems is essential for the design of wireless devices, ranging across communications, sensing, navigation, and biomedical. As a field, electromagnetics has a particularly rich mathematical setting, which makes it quite theoretically interesting.

How have your classes, research or extra-curricular experiences shaped your undergraduate journey?

The research I've worked on in the electrical department have been a huge part of my undergraduate. It's provided an opportunity to deeply play with the ideas I've learned in my classes and has exposed me to ideas and fields I wouldn't have otherwise known about. The fellow students around me in the department have been friends and support throughout my undergraduate.

What are your post-graduation plans?Ìý

PhD in Electrical Engineering, focused on applied electromagnetics

What will you miss most about Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder?

The friends I've made here and hiking in the mountains.Ìý