Spring 2025 Student Achievement Spotlights

Javier Rios

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Chemistry Scholar Javier Rios has been accepted into the highly competitive UC San Diego Summer School for Silicon Nanotechnology (SSSiN), a prestigious research immersion program led by Professor Michael Sailor in the Silicon Nanomaterials Research Laboratory. As part of the RIMSE (Research Immersion in Materials Science & Engineering) initiative under the UC San Diego MRSEC, the program will provide Javier with intensive hands-on experience in the synthesis, properties, and applications of silicon-based nanomaterials. Through a combination of advanced lectures and a capstone independent research project, he will gain a deeper understanding of cutting-edge materials science that directly intersects with the biochemical foundation of dentistry.

One of Javier's proudest accomplishments this year has been the remarkable growth of his pre-dental club. Thanks to his leadership and initiative, the club has flourished—offering members engaging school tours, hands-on workshops, guest speaker events, and an active recruitment strategy that continues to expand its reach and impact.

This research opportunity, coupled with his leadership experience, will significantly enhance Javier's dental school applications while enriching his scientific perspective. His journey has been greatly supported by METRIC, which connected him with his faculty mentor, Dr. Fangyuan Tian. Dr. Tian's ongoing guidance and encouragement have opened many doors, while the program's financial support has allowed Javier to focus deeply on academics and personal development, making the most of every opportunity.

Grace Gonzales

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Chemistry Scholar Grace Gonzales was accepted into the Student Organics Chemistry Laboratory Technician Internship with the Los Angeles County Sanitation District, where she will contribute to critical environmental monitoring efforts. Grace will be stationed at the AK Warren laboratory in Carson, where she will assist with the analysis of organic compounds in environmental samples such as wastewater, air, and sediments. This hands-on internship offers a valuable opportunity to apply her academic knowledge of chemistry in a real-world setting.

In this role, Grace will support laboratory staff by preparing reagents and standard solutions, operating advanced instrumentation, and ensuring data accuracy through quality control measures. She'll also gain experience working with a professional team of chemists and environmental scientists.

Grace credits the METRIC program for playing a vital role in her journey as an aspiring chemist. She found out about this internship through METRIC, and the guidance from her METRIC mentor helped her prepare and navigate the application process with confidence. The support she's received from the program has left a lasting impact, empowering her to take on any academic or professional challenge she faces in the future.

Julie Truong

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CECS Scholar Julie Truong has been accepted into The Aerospace Corporation as a Software Developer Intern for Summer 2025. In this role, she will contribute to the design and development of a simulated space system, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to bring the project to life. This opportunity not only deepens her passion for learning but also marks a significant step toward her academic and professional growth. Through this experience, Julie is excited to begin carving her path toward a successful career in the tech industry.

Julie also takes great pride in her role as Secretary of the Women in Computing group. Over the past year, she has been instrumental in inspiring the next generation of girls in STEM through workshops and outreach events. Her dedication to growth and teamwork was further reflected when her team earned second place in a 24-hour Datathon, where she gained valuable hands-on experience with data tools and techniques.

She credits much of her success to the support of METRIC. "It is all thanks to METRIC's support that I can spread my wings and begin to fly," Julie shares. "Without the encouragement and belief of Dr. Chang, Mr. Terrell, and Dr. Trajkovic, I don't know how far I would have come. I'm truly grateful to METRIC for building a strong support system around me and inspiring me to be my best self."

Zoe Wright

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CECS Scholar Zoe Wright has been accepted into the IT/Cybersecurity Internship at LA Tech Rising, where she was also selected to serve as one of the project leaders. In this role, she will guide her team through a hands-on cybersecurity project focused on building three virtual machines. Zoe will work closely with a recent graduate now employed as a Cyber Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman, who will act as her project manager. She has also been paired with a mentor—a Senior Technical Program Manager at Microsoft—who will support her growth through a structured curriculum covering personal branding, resume building, interview preparation, and technical skill development.

These opportunities are providing Zoe with a strong foundation in her chosen field. From networking with industry professionals to collaborating on real-world projects, she is gaining meaningful, practical experience that will support her long-term goals at CSULB and beyond.

Throughout this journey, METRIC has been an incredible source of support. When Zoe faced challenges in one of her courses, she received tutoring that helped her stay on track. The patience and encouragement from her mentors have been both motivating and uplifting. Thanks to the METRIC scholarship program, Zoe was able to attend her first major conference and focus more deeply on her academics and internships—an experience she considers pivotal in her academic and professional development.

Oswaldo Olson

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CECS Scholar Oswaldo Olson has been accepted for a competitive Summer 2025 IT Internship with Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)—a global Fortune 100 company renowned for its innovations in construction and mining equipment, industrial engines, and power solutions. In his role as an IT Intern, Oswaldo will work on enhancing internal ticketing systems and contributing to consumer-facing technology solutions. He's particularly excited to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of IT and business, and to see how technology supports strategic decision-making in a global enterprise.

In Fall 2024, Oswaldo rejoined the LA-Tech Business Academy, where he stepped up as group leader for their final project. Remarkably, he took on this leadership role while recovering from hand surgery—a semester that tested him mentally, physically, and emotionally. Despite the challenges, he successfully led his team and passed all his courses, calling it one of his proudest accomplishments to date.

These experiences have sparked a personal transformation. Oswaldo has become more self-aware, driven, and willing to explore beyond the classroom. He's started networking, embracing new hobbies, and taking on leadership roles—even when stepping into the unknown.

"I've learned that progress doesn't come from having all the answers—it comes from showing up and learning along the way," he says.

A major source of support during his journey has been METRIC. "METRIC has truly been a cornerstone in getting me back on track this year," Oswaldo shares. "The tutoring support made a huge impact on my academics, but it's more than that. Through METRIC's community meetups, I've built strong bonds with others in the cohort. We don't just help each other pass classes—we help each other survive and thrive through college. Honestly, METRIC helped save my life and made it better—and for that, I'm endlessly grateful."

Jonathan Strange

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Mathematics Scholar Jonathan Strange has been accepted into Oregon State University's COLDEX REU program. Through this program, he will be working at the University of Texas Geophysics Institute in Austin, Texas, where he will analyze geophysical data sampled from old Antarctic ice. His research will use computational methods to compare ground-based radar and airborne data for the bed in Southern Dome A, aiming to improve the understanding of Earth's climate and environmental history. This opportunity will allow Jonathan to explore applications of mathematics for the benefit of both humanity and the planet.

Throughout this past academic year, Jonathan conducted mathematics research through the CSULB PREM material science grant. During this time, he developed an algorithm to characterize topological phenomena, Borromean Links, in densely packed systems like those found in kinetoplasts, a type of DNA. This interdisciplinary research combined with the opportunity to contribute to climate research with COLDEX, emphasizes Jonathan's commitment to using mathematics to address global challenges.

METRIC has played a crucial role in Jonathan's journey. It was through METRIC's network that he learned about the COLDEX program, and through his mentor's guidance that he created a compelling and professional personal statement and curriculum vitae.

Gavin Lucsik

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Physics Scholar Gavin Lucsik has been selected for a summer assistantship with CSULB's Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics group. This summer he will be investigating the topological phases exhibited by a variety of 2 dimensional models inspired by high temperature superconductors. This opportunity will bolster Gavin's research background and aid in the process of formulating clear research goals for a Ph.D. program and beyond.

The METRIC program has been an invaluable source of support throughout this past semester as it has alleviated a massive financial burden, allowing Gavin to dedicate much more time to his academic pursuits and research goals. He is greatly appreciative of all that the METRIC Program has done in support of his journey towards obtaining a Ph.D.