STEM PATHWAYS PROGRAM
STEM PATHWAY Alumni

San Diego State University May 2025

James Allison
Major: Electrical Engineering

Oliver Casillas
Major: Mechanical Engineering

Ana Paula-Diaz Dominguez
Major: Environmental Science

Chase Duncan
Major: Mechanical Engineering

Johnathan Guerrero
Major: Mechanical Engineering
San Diego State University May 2024

Aj Straight
Major: Computer Science

Shaddy Elhamad
Major: Computer Science
Scholar Accomplishments

Summer 2024: Ana Paula Diaz Dominguez was part of two internships funded by the USDA. She was able to travel to Oaxaca for 2 weeks and participate in the study of migration from the south of Mexico to the north part of Mexico. When returning home she worked in Dr. Love’s lab helping with the research of Black soldier Fly larvae as an alternative food source for livestock.

Summer 2024: Kyara Gandara partook two mechanical engineering projects during her time in NIWC. She oversaw the material list as well as the meetings conducted with the RESTORE lab, a group of Electrical Engineers specializing in Solar Energy and Power lines. For project 1, she had the role of designing a Portable Solar Charging Station for the SEAS Unit, a machine that extracts water from oxygen. This was done for the OASIS Lab, an Environmental Engineering Lab focusing on Oceanography. The goal is to provide soldiers and civilians with self- sustaining drinkable water for all terrains and disaster aid. For project 2, she had the assignment of designing a mounting hardware instruction manual for a power pole autonomous system. The instruction manual is dedicated to soldiers who need visual aid in assembling the mounting hardware. The autonomous system minimizes blackout damage

Fall 2023: STEM Pathways Scholars and Staff attend the SACNAS 2023 NDiSTEM Conference held in Portland, Oregan on October 26- October 28th. In this picture, the STEM Pathways Program takes a picture with the SACNAS Executive Director, Juan Amador. We are so proud of our scholars as we had 11 scholars present their research posters! From Left to right: Juan Amador, Melani Soto, Dr. Stacy Ochoa Top row: Issac Torres, AJ Straight, Brittany Fromlath, James Allison,Richard Ryan Bottom Row: Jesse Larid, Naomi Webb, Dr, Heather McGray, Justin Pudiquet

Fall 2022: Oliver Casillas and Chase Duncan were hired from their summer research lab with Dr. Joaquin Camacho to work in the Industry Assessment Center (IAC). At the IAC the scholar’s help industries to reduce energy usage and save the company money.

Spring 2024: Shaddy Elhamad is our first STEM Pathways Scholar to graduate from the very first STEM Pathways Cohort from San Diego State University with his Bachelor’s in Computer Science! Congrats Shaddy! Shaddy was a transfer student from San Diego City College.

The STEM Pathways Program is supported by:




San Diego State University (SDSU) is a part of the California State University (CSU) system. SDSU follows CSU COVID-19 policies and requirements. For more information regarding SDSU and COVID-19 follow this link: https://sacd.sdsu.edu/student-health-services/covid-19