2025 STEM-NET Summer Student Research Program Recipients

Student Name: Alexis Gasca
College Level: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Campus: California State University, Fresno
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sankha Banerjee
Research Title: Optimization of MXene Percolation Pathways in PVDF-TrFE-BaTiO₃ Hybrid Composites for Advance Piezoelectric Sensors

"I am entering my fourth year of college at California State University, Fresno. I am currently 21 years old, and some activities I enjoy are going to the gym, playing video games, and 3D printing. My current goals are to graduate and earn my bachelor’s degree, then pursue a master’s degree. While studying, I also plan to continue researching under my PI, and through this program I hope to experience the challenges and dedication involved in creating a functional product that can yield results and, hopefully, be used in the future to help people in need."
– Alexis Gasca

Student Name: Leo Haroutoonian
College Level: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Campus: California State University, Northridge
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter L. Bishay
Research Title: Student Presenters: Development of a Morphing Bird Taxidermy Model for Experimental Evaluation of Avian Flight Characteristics

"My name is Leo Haroutoonian, and I am going into my last year at CSUN as a mechanical engineering major. I entered engineering without being entirely confident in my choice of study, but as I took more courses and realized I could learn the concepts and apply them, I became obsessed with this field—specifically how planes and birds fly. This led me to this research project, where I hope to learn how to mimic the kinematics of a bird’s wing as they tuck, pitch, and twist to maneuver through the sky. Along with learning wing kinematics, I believe that if I were to develop a mathematical model based on the airfoil shape of the red-tailed hawk’s wings, I would learn how to develop aircraft that can morph their shape to better suit their environment, reduce drag and energy consumption, and perform intricate maneuvers. In the future, I intend to work with supersonic aircraft, learning more complex avionics systems, and potentially applying what I will learn about morphing wings and their flight characteristics to commercial planes to achieve shorter flight times with less fuel consumption. I hope that innovating methods of flight will help civilization achieve greater connectivity and improve the environment."
– Leo Haroutoonian

Student Name: Bethanie Ceja
College Level: Junior
Major: Mathematics – Math for Educators
Campus: California State University, Long Beach
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Pavneet Kaur Bharaj
Research Title: Teachers’ Reasons to Choose Representations while Teaching Fractions and Decimals​

"My name is Bethanie Ceja, a first-generation, self-guided graduate student pursuing a M.S. in Mathematics – Math for Educators. My goals are to complete my master’s degree and eventually pursue a Ph.D. in the field. This experience has given me the opportunity to engage in hands-on math education research, which has sparked new questions and deepened my curiosity. I am passionate about making math more meaningful and accessible, and I hope to inspire others to find joy and purpose in the subject as well."
– Bethanie Ceja

Student Name: Lex Bravo
College Level: Sophomore
Major: Civil/Geomatics Engineering
Campus: California State University, Fresno
Faculty Mentor: Xiangxiong Kong
Research Title: Evaluating 3D Gaussian Splatting for Civil Infrastructure Inspection

"My name is Lex Bravo, and I am a civil engineering student at Fresno State with a lifelong passion for improving infrastructure and making a positive impact on communities. My goal is to work on projects such as bridges and highways that enhance everyday life. Through the STEM-NET research experience, I hope to strengthen my communication skills with faculty and professionals, gain hands-on research experience, and broaden my understanding of the civil engineering field. This opportunity will help me take meaningful steps toward a successful and impactful engineering career."
– Lex Bravo

Student Name: Dana Garcia
College Level: Junior
Major: Biology
Campus: California State University, Bakersfield
Faculty Mentor: Rae McNeish
Research Title: Tracking Trash: Patterns of Anthropogenic Litter in the Kern River

"My name is Dana Garcia, and I am currently an undergraduate student majoring in Traditional Biology. I am originally from El Salvador and have spent about half of my life in the United States. My academic and research experiences have shaped a deep appreciation for environmental science and public health. I currently work in Dr. Rae McNeish’s Aquatic Ecology Lab, where I assist with research related to plastic pollution and its impact on aquatic ecosystems. Looking toward the future, my primary goal is to attend dental school and pursue a career in dentistry. I am also considering the possibility of earning a master’s degree in biology beforehand to strengthen my scientific background. With this opportunity, I hope to continue expanding my scientific knowledge, connect with mentors and peers in the field, and develop skills that will support my academic goals and long-term aspirations."
– Dana Garcia

Student Name: Sarah Sanchez Hurtado
College Level: Junior
Major: Biology (MCB)
Campus: Sonoma State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lisa L. Hua
Research Title: Testing of Endothelial Cell Identity with a CD31/PECAM Marker for Human Adult Aortic Endothelial Cells that have lost Mitotic Antipairing

"I am currently an undergraduate biology student in Dr. Lisa Hua's lab at Sonoma State University. I plan to pursue medicine and attend medical school after graduation. I hope to share my research, develop Q&A skills, and learn about the research conducted by others across the CSU system!"
– Sarah Sanchez Hurtado

Student Name: Othon Sanchez
College Level: Sophomore
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Campus: California State University, Los Angeles
Faculty Mentor: —
Research Title: Too Hot to Handle: Analysis Dodecane at Different Initial Temperatures

"I enjoy sci-fi movies, gardening, hiking with friends, and trying new foods. Lately, I’ve been especially proud of how well my strawberries are growing. My long-term goal is to earn a master’s degree in electrical engineering. During my time in the SPACE program at CSULA, I was introduced to the Amsterdam Modeling Suite. As part of a group project, we analyzed Jet A1 fuel and used n-dodecane to better understand its combustion and ignition properties. This learning experience sparked my interest in modeling software."
– Othon Sanchez

Student Name: Brianna Vidrio Chavez
College Level: Sophomore
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Campus: California State University, Fresno
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alaeddin Bani Milhim
Research Title: Development and Experimental Evaluation of an Aerodynamically Actuated UAV Drilling System

"Hello, my name is Brianna Vidrio. I am a sophomore mechanical engineering student motivated by a strong passion for developing, testing, and applying designs to real-world challenges. Through this experience, I plan to expand my analytical and technical skills while also advocating for the importance of problem-solving in engineering."
– Brianna Vidrio Chavez

Student Name: Jacqueline Macias
College Level: Senior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Campus: California State University, Northridge
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jamie Booth
Research Title: Mechanical Properties of Additively-Manufactured Lattice Materials

"My name is Jacqueline Macias. I am a senior and mechanical engineering student at California State University, Northridge. I hope to work in the biomedical industry, improving medical devices and prosthetics, as well as improving and innovating engineering systems using inspiration from biological systems. With this experience, I hope to grow academically, refine my research, and gain exposure to various new ideas and approaches."
– Jacqueline Macias

Student Name: Jaimie De Guzman
College Level: Senior
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Campus: California State University, Long Beach
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Siavash Ahrar
Research Title: Hydra in Flow: Investigating Biological Systems via Microfluidics​

"I am a senior biomedical engineering student at CSULB. After graduating, I plan to pursue a master’s in engineering. This program allows me to explore advanced biological, technical, and engineering topics, build connections with mentors, and gain skills in preparation for graduate school."
– Jaimie De Guzman

Student Name: Edith Morales Munoz
College Level: Sophomore
Major: Biological Science
Campus: California State University, East Bay
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ram Kandasamy
Research Title: Developing Inhibitors of Fatty acid Amide Hydrolase and Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase as Novel Anti-Migraine Treatments

"My future goals include working in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically in research, and continuing my education, potentially by attending pharmacy school to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. I am deeply interested in drug development and the discovery of new treatments that can improve patients’ quality of life… Overall, I look forward to this experience enabling me to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives through research."
– Edith Morales Munoz

Student Name: Camila Valdez
College Level: Sophomore
Major: Clinical Science
Campus: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Payman Nasr
Research Title: Standardization of Hemoglobin Electrophoresis for Clinical Hematology Curriculum Integration

"My name is Camila Valdez, and I am currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in clinical science at CSUDH. My future goal is to work in the medical field and contribute to research that can improve patient care and diagnostics… I believe this opportunity will help me build a strong foundation for future research projects in my academic and professional journey."
– Camila Valdez

Student Name: Carla Jimenez
College Level: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Campus: California State University, Northridge
Faculty Mentor: C. Shawn Sun
Research Title: Characterizing Anisotropic Properties of 3D Printed Sulfur Concrete for Planetary Infrastructure

"Hello, my name is Carla Jimenez, and I am a senior at California State University, Northridge, majoring in mechanical engineering. For my senior design project, I am part of the Human Powered Vehicle team… I aspire to work as a mechanical designer at innovative organizations such as Lockheed Martin or NASA, where I can contribute to cutting-edge aerospace projects."
– Carla Jimenez

Student Name: Luci (Danny) Herrera-Lopez
College Level: Junior
Major: Molecular, Cellular and Physiological Biology
Campus: California State University, Long Beach
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Perlman
Research Title: Pick your Poison..or Venom?: Toxin Research on the Cellular and Molecular Components of the Round Stingray (Urobatis halleri)

"My passion has always centered on organismal research, working directly with animals and exploring novel scientific questions that advance our understanding of biological systems… At the core of my goals is a commitment to making science more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for the public at large."
– Luci (Danny) Herrera-Lopez

Student Name: Silvia Herzenach
College Level: Senior
Major: Physics
Campus: California State University, Chico
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Paul Arpin
Research Title: Characterizing Through-Focus Pulse-Front Tilt in Ultrafast Lasers

"My name is Silvia Herzenach, and I am a physics major at CSU Chico with a particular interest in optics and laser sciences. I am currently working under Dr. Arpin on a project to characterize the behavior of ultrafast laser pulses and hope that this research experience will aid in my effort to attend graduate school to attain a Ph.D., so I may conduct my own optics research someday."
– Silvia Herzenach