#ANTEATERENGINEER
I am an Anteater Engineer, hear me Zot!
How does being an Anteater Engineer influence your life? Join our social media campaign by sharing your UCI engineering experiences, career accomplishments and favorite Anteater memories. Look us up on facebook.com/anteaterengineer. Post your comments, photos and videos with #ANTEATERENGINEER at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Jenna Obenshain
Environmental Engineering (2017)
Why did you choose UCI engineering?
The opportunities I have at UCI in education, research, community involvement, and sustainability were unmatched from all the other campuses I walked. When I got here I could tell right away they weren't just trying to get me my degree, they were trying to grow me into a next generation engineer.
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
It means that I can do anything I put my heart and pencil to. My boundaries are limitless for what I can go out and accomplish, Anteater engineers don't just graduate with a degree, we graduate with a purpose to improve and keep moving forward.
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
UCI has opened up doors for me that I never knew existed. I came in knowing that I wanted to work in water or sustainability, and now two years later, after numerous seminars, research presentations, course projects and the best academic advisers out there, I know I want to work in ocean restoration or water sustainability and reclamation. UCI has truly shaped me into who I am and has given me the resources I need to further discover want I can do and how to do it.
Madelyn Sando
Mechanical Engineering (2017)
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
It means to excel academically and conduct myself with integrity and confidence both on and off campus. It means being honored to be an anteater and to take pride in my school, peers, faculty, the city of Irvine, and everyone who plays an integral part in the success and prestigious reputation of the school of engineering. It means applying my academic knowledge outside of the classroom and contributing to projects that aim to benefit the world and the human experience in new and innovative ways.
Jeffrey Chum
Biomedical Engineering (2016)
Why did you choose UCI engineering?
UCI engineering is investing in us, the students, for a better future in a better world.
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
As Anteaters, we advocate for those who need us. We represent the people we serve. There is no greater service than to plan, build, and develop for the people around us.
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
UCI and the engineering school has filled a hole of service and expertise. They equipped me with the attitude and mindset to tackle the challenges of the world.
Nimesh Desai
Electrical and Computer Engineering (1991)
Describe the UCI engineering experience in three words:
Inspiring, Creative, Educational
Why did you choose UCI engineering?
Because I wanted a big university yet a small school where I would get individual attention from professors and that is exactly what I got at UCI
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
It is a source of incredible pride - I am proud to be an engineer and the stuff I learned at UCI stays with me to this day.
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
I am a tech entrepreneur, and my learnings at UCI Engineering are the reason why!
Eric Robles
Civil Engineering (2013)
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
My UCI engineering experience has impacted my personal and career direction in to never settling for average. UCI has instilled self worth and progression in me that I use on an every day basis.
Ed Hernandez
Electrical and Computer Engineering (1991)
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
It means that I am part of a large family of successful, progressive and innovative people who love technology and want to use it to improve our lives.
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
I always tell people that UCI taught me to learn. Both in the semiconductor industry and as a high school teacher, I continue to use skills and experiences I learned while at UCI.
Daniel Nahabedian
Civil Engineering (1979)
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
I had no idea the impact of the education on my ability to be successful in my career in many different areas not necessarily associated with the terms "civil engineering". I was also unaware of how significant "UCI School of Engineering 1979" would be on my résumé'!!! I am extremely proud of the accomplishment as I had no idea how challenging my Junior and Senior years at UCI were going to be.
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
I alluded to the "prestige" that comes with adding to your resume' that you are a UCI Engineering School graduate. Throughout my career I have been able to take on assignments/projects that to some may have seemed not a part of what a civil engineer would be capable of doing. I attribute a big part of this to the approach to solving problems I feel I learned while at UCI. Survival in my Junior and Senior year was also about working/studying in "teams" or small groups, this has also been critical to my success in my career...
John Peaslee
Electrical Engineering (1981)
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
Provides personal confidence knowing that the curriculum was world class. I know this after working for 30 years competing against Engineers from all over the world.
Eric Haley
Mechanical Engineering (1995)
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
The research projects I assisted with and the knowledge I gleaned helped me to focus on an area of interest, and I have worked in that area and thrived since graduation.
Thomas Hall
Civil Engineering (2014)
Why did you choose UCI engineering?
I chose engineering at UCI because they offered the best blend of theoretical and practical application of engineering.
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
It means that I possess the skills and abilities needed to accomplish any goal that is set before me, engineering or non-engineering.
Paolo Fiorini
Electrical Engineering (1982)
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
My first degree was in Italy and at UCI I discovered the world of US academics, which made me change my career and life paths. From UCI I went to Parker Hannifin, then to NASA-JPL and to a PhD at UCLA. Now I am a full professor in Computer Science/Robotics back in Italy and IEEE Fellow.
Marvin Chan
Mechanical Engineering (2012)
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
It has given me the confidence and opportunity that I needed to compete in a highly competitive industry. Initially, I was unsure of how well I'd be able to compete with applicants from big name engineering schools. I realized that it didn't matter because I was more than capable of holding my own (e.g. I was competitive). The persistence pays off after lots of hard work.
Eric Nguyen
Biomedical Engineering (2013)
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
Being an anteater engineer means to go out and apply the education and knowledge that you obtained from UC Irvine for a beneficial cause greater than your own. You carry out this role with the pride of being an anteater and the reputation of UC Irvine with you.
Jae Lee
Ph.D. in Engineering (1996)
Describe the UCI engineering experience in three words:
Young promising leaders
Why did you choose UCI engineering?
My PhD advisor started an advanced research group which was leading the technology nationwide and also worldwide.
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
We have been pioneers in advanced research and technology development.
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
It led me to open wider eyes on upscaled area of engineering which is not just engineering and involves in socio-economic aspects, too.
Stoney Middleton
Material Science Engineering (2016)
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
Reaching out to professors, working as an undergraduate research assistant, and participating in professional society directly linked with industry have more than impacted my career direction, they have forged it.
Caitlin Callaghan
Mechanical Engineering (2018)
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
Bring a member of a supportive, thriving community that is working together to be on the cutting edge of engineering.
Jose Ramirez
Aerospace Engineering (2018)
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
It has made me a stronger student. I have fail, because i am human, but i stood up many times stronger than ever.
Euiso Kim
Electrical Engineering and Music (2016)
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
An Anteater engineer does not dive right into a problem. He/she assesses the issue and carefully strategizes how he/she will approach the problem. An Anteater engineer takes leadership, even when not assigned to a specific role.
Daniel Jaimes
Mechanical Engineering (2013/2016/2019)
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
Being an Anteater engineer means being at the fulcrum of innovative research that is closely tied with the surrounding technology, engineering and science industry.
How has your engineering education experience at UCI impacted you and your career direction?
I have benefited greatly from being a part of the increasingly diverse engineering community in that I get the perspective of many talented individuals from various backgrounds. The school of engineering emphasizes the importance of diversity which is the reason why so many UCI alumni have already been influential in industry, academia and other avenues.
Janine Chua
Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering (2016)
Why did you choose UCI engineering?
I chose UCI engineering due to the diverse and well-rounded academic program that they offer. Engineering is such an interdisciplinary field and I believe that the engineering program here has given me the opportunity to learn about my wide range of interests.
What does it mean to you to be an Anteater engineer?
Being an anteater engineer to me means having a well-rounded education but also the courage to challenge the status quo. What makes us anteater engineers so unique is that it is in our intrinsic nature to be rebels. UCI has taught us that it is our responsibility as anteater engineers to become future leaders, transcending the boundaries that define each discipline--combining technology and the many sciences to create lasting innovations that will leave each generation questioning how a world without such technologies could have ever possibly existed.