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UAS Fall 2020 Team Biographies

   

Estrella Bonilla - Communication Officer

Estrella Bonilla is a first-year undeclared student and is the Communications Officer of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering Service Learning team. Bonilla, alongside her teammates, works to provide a hands-on exhibit for children to learn about the effects of climate change. Bonilla plans on using the skills learned in this project to gain a new perspective in childhood education. In the future, Bonilla hopes to attain a master’s degree and study mental health in childhood development.

Mark Aguilar -Team Member

Mark Aguilar is a third-year Computer Science and Engineering student pursuing a career in software engineering for advanced prosthetics. As a team member in the Unmanned Ariel Systems Engineering Service Learning team, Aguilar has a strong passion for sustainability and helping others. In participating in this project, Aguilar hopes to gain experience in interacting with clientele to finish the task at hand.

Yuxi Chen–Team member

Yuxi Chen is a second-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering with a focus on game development and design. Through this project, Chen hopes to gain a greater understanding of analyzing data with various coding and be able to aid with issues from clients and end-users. Chen joined the Unmanned Arial Systems Engineering Service Learning team to utilize his knowledge in data to analyze drone’s performance under different environments. After graduation, Chen plans to pursue a master’s degree in game design and development from the University of California, Merced.

Jeffrey Cho - (Team Position)

Jeffrey Cho is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and is a team member of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering Service Learning team. In this project, Jeffrey is working to design and build an educational exhibit on thawing permafrost in the arctic. Cho was previously was a Senior Lead Teen Intern and the Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley, where he created and operated educational engineering exhibits, and is using this experience to contribute to the project. Currently, Cho is seeking an internship involving rapid prototyping and manufacturing systems, allowing him to further his career in engineering.

 

Michael Difrieri–Team Member

Michael Difrieriis a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a team member of the Unmanned Arial Systems Engineering Service Learning team. Participating in this project provides Difrieri a meaningful opportunity to learn and grow as an Engineering in his field. Academically, Difrieri is interested in mechatronics and is a member of the Robotic Society at UC Merced. Difrieri hopes to become a leading expert in the field of mechanical fabrication and plans on using his knowledge to conduct research of experimental jet propulsion and other aerospace systems.

Josue Gialis –Unknown Officer

Josue Gialis is a fourth-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering and a member of the Unmanned Arial Systems Engineering Service Learning team. Gialis is an academically driven student with a strong passion for computer science and has a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world which has led him to have concerns over the global climate. Gialis joined this project to learn more about global climate conditions and to explore the tangible side of engineering. In the future, Gialis hopes to be a software developer for a biotech company.

Luna Lynn–Team Member

Luna Lynn is a second-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering with a focus on computer vision. Lynn is a team member of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering Service Learning team. Participating in this project provides her with a unique opportunity to help educate future generations on the issues of global warming. Born and raised in the Central Valley that continually sees warmer temperatures each year, Lynn anticipates applying the awareness and humanity required for this project to her career and future endeavors.

Axel M. Siliezar–Team Member

Axel M. Siliezar is a second-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering with a focus on software engineering and user interface development. Siliezar joined the Unmanned Arial Systems Engineering Service Learning Team because of his interest in expanding his perspectives on the needs of consumers. Through this project, Siliezar hopes to understand and improve interactive skills with clients to better fit their needs and desires. After graduation, Siliezar wishes to pursue a career in-app and web development.

Clara Medina –Team Member

Clara Medina is a second-year student pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Engineering and is a team member of the Unmanned Arial Systems Engineering Service Learning team. In 2019, Medina worked alongside scientists at the UC Davis Quail Ridge Reserve to take part in a 30-year conservation project as a project manager. Medina also has gained an interest in bioremediation through experience working at the Cache Creek Conservancy in Woodland, CA. Medina believes this project will guide her to find her true passion in engineering and hopes to use her newfound skills to delve into the world of bioremediation and water treatment.

Bykema Mobley- Team Member

Bykema Mobley is a fourth-year student pursuing a B.S.in Computer Science and Engineering and is a team member for the Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering Service Learning team. Mobley chose this project because she wanted to obtain a hands-on experience helping out her community. Through this real-life project, Mobleyhopes to gain the experience needed to obtain civilian certifications and gain access to a lifelong career. Mobley has a passion for computer networking and hopes to have a career in cybersecurity and computer networking after graduation.

Jude Orsua–Team Member

Jude Orsua is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering and is a team member of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering Service Learning team. Orsua joined this project because of his interest in finding ways to utilize technology to aid environmental preservation efforts. Through this project, Orsua hopes to learn how to effectively use drones to collect and analyze data in order to come to a solution. In the future, Orsua plans to pursue a career in the field of data science with an emphasis on finding solutions to the issue of climate change.

Vincent Stanford -Team Member

Vincent Stanford is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering and is a team member of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering Service Learning team. Stanford chose to work on this project because he wanted hands-on experience in working on a team to solve a real-world issue. In the future, Stanford hopes to work in the United States Marine Corps as a network security officer to ensure secure communications and prevent cyber-attacks on service members.

Emmanuel Vargas –Team Member

Emmanuel Vargas is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering and is a team member of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering Service Learning team.Vargas chose to join the project for its goal to educate children on the dangers of climate change. Vargas believes that educating people on this topic is a vital step in combating the climate crisis that the world faces. Post-graduation, Vargas hopes to develop a career in large scale artificial intelligence systems that can be utilized to solve the problems that plague and threaten the well-being of mankind, such as climate change.

Eric Wu

Eric Wu is a second-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering and is a member of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering Service Learning team. Living outside of the United States, Wu has a different perspective of the world climate than his peers, which can be helpful for this team. Participating in this team provides Wu hands-on experience in working on community projects. Academically, Eric is interested in computer programming and 3-D modeling and plans to utilize these skills to help to design the product.

Yi Hao Xie

Yi Hao Xie is a second-year student pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and is a team member of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering Service Learning team. Xie is passionate about learning and hopes to gain professional and leadership experience through this project to succeed in his future career as a Mechanical Engineer. After graduation, Xie plans on going to graduate school where he can focus and pursue a career in renewable energy systems.