Project Protect Fall 2020 Team Biographies


	Chris Ahrens –Team Member Chris Ahrens is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering and a team member of the Project Protect Engineering Service Learning team. In this project, Ahrenshopes to help create accessible solutions to break down the language barrier between patients and doctors. Ahrens has developed user interfaces for the Northeast Valley Health Corporation during his 2020 internship to make doctor-patient communication available outside the clinic and plans on applying this knowledge as a member of the Project Protect team.
	David Galaviz Sarmiento Galaviz is a first-year student pursuing a B.A. in Political Science. As a first-year student, Galavizhas not had many opportunities in the professional space. Galaviz chose to work on this project because of the challenges and new opportunities that he would experience. In the future, Galaviz strives to become a U.S.representativeto to help immigrant families all over the country.
	Sabrina Gonzalez Sabrina Gonzalez is a third-year student pursuing a B.S.in Computer Science and Engineering. Currently, Gonzalez works as a social media and marketing manager for Basic Needs at UC Merced to educate her student peers about food, housing, and financial insecurities. In this project, Gonzalez will continue to assist her community by using her skills to provide interpreting services to healthcare resources for immigrant families. Gonzalez has a strong passion for the animation industry and aspires to share the stories of minority groups she’s connected with as a technical director.
	Timothy Ha –Team Member Timothy Ha is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering. He is involved in the Project Protect Engineering Service Learning team. Ha is interested in applying his experience with coding and design to the real world and joined this project with hopes of being able to assist clients who don’t share the same vocabulary as their doctors. After graduation, Ha plans to take this experience and help clients bring their ideas to fruition.
	Arnold Khampaseut Arnold Khampaseut is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in Applied Mathematics with an emphasis on Computer Science and a member of the Project Protect Engineering Service Learning team. Khampaseut joined this project to experience working on a real-life project, collaborate in a team setting, and to develop mobile applications. Through this project, Khampaseut hopes to gain skills in developing a product that will help out the local community. In the future, Khampaseut envisions himself pursuing a career as a web developer.
	Moises Limon –Team Member Moises Limon is a third-year student pursuing a B.S.in Computer Science and Engineering. . Limon joined the Project Protect Engineering Service Learning team because he wants to help give back to Merced. Limon is a current fellow at Management Leadership for Tomorrow’s Career Prep program, which has given him a network to be successful in securing early career opportunities. Limon aspires to explore every opportunity that comes his way to make an impact with the leadership and programming skills he has developed and be a leader in the tech industry.
	Peter Mendoza Peter Mendoza is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering. As a member of the Project ProtectEngineering Service Learning team, Mendoza looks to help Merced County improve access to healthcare for the diverse communities in the area. Mendoza wants to use the technological experience to lessen the worry for poverty-stricken areas to reach urgent medical issues. Project Protect gives Mendoza the opportunity to combine his future interest in artificial intelligence and data mapping to make access to medical assistance easier.
	Sarah Padilla ーGroup 2 Sarah Padilla is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science engineering. Padilla has developed a strong interest in software development through the “Girls Who Code” program. In this program, Padilla gained knowledge in several languages and collaborated on a project that emphasized mental health accessibility through tech. With her technical skills and experience with group collaborations, Padilla believes she will be a great support to the Project Protect Engineering Service Learning team. In the future, Padilla strives to have a career in software development or cybersecurity management.
	Neel Patel Neel Patel is a fourth-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering. As a returning member of the Project Protect Engineering Service Learning team, Patel wants to continue making a positive impact on the community. Patel hopes to strengthen his software development skills and gain experience with User Interface(UI) / User Experience(UX) design and prototyping. Patel was an aninternatU.S.Department of Health and Human Services and will be returning to HHS this year to continue his internship. Upon graduating, Patel intends to take his education and experience to the health care sector.
	Alan Triano –Team Member Alan Triano is a third-year pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering, currently focusing on backend software and algorithms. As a member of the Project Protect Engineering Service Learning team, Triano hopes to give back to his community and promote wider access to healthcare. Trianowantsto garner more experience in programming and how to cater to an end-user. Triano hopes to graduate to work for companies that require help in backend development.