Alumni
Welcome to the Jacobs School of Engineering alumni page
WELCOME
As a graduate of UC San Diego's Irwin and Joan Jacobs School of Engineering, ranked #10 in the top engineering schools nationally, you are a part of our vast network of visionaries, problem solvers, and trailblazers, shaping industries and driving progress worldwide. Our engineering alumni community, now over 50,000 and continuously growing, remains closely knit no matter where life takes you.
If it's been a while since you last connected, this is an ideal place to start. The alumni office at the Jacobs School is here as your gateway to get involved. Whether you are looking to reunite with fellow Tritons, contribute your time and expertise, or access resources, there's a team ready to support you.
NETWORK AND GROW
Tritons Connect: Worldwide Network
Tritons Connect is an online community of UC San Diego alumni, students, staff and faculty. It's a Triton exclusive network where you can be matched with a mentor, post and apply for job opportunities, join a community group, access a directory of Triton community members, and so much more!
UC San Diego Alumni Email Service
Unlock your exclusive @ucsd.edu inbox as UC San Diego alumni! Take advantage of this special benefit with a professional email address tied to your alma mater.
Contact the Alumni office for additional information.
Corporate Affiliates Job & Internship Portal
The Corporate Affiliates Program provides our engineers and computer scientists access to career opportunities brought by our Corporate Partners. Create a profile on the Jacobs School Job & Internship Portal, and explore current job openings.
Master of Advanced Studies
Offering three highly critical engineering master's programs tailored to the needs of working, engineering professionals and industry needs, the Master of Advanced Studies degree program allows for students to continue working while earning their master's in an in-class academic environment.
GET INVOLVED
All across the globe, Tritons are networking at one of our signature events, or staying involved in our vibrant alumni community through a regional alumni club or an affinity group. Check out our current line-up of events below.
APRIL | Campus & Regional Events
Electrical and Computer Engineering 60th Anniversary Celebration
- Description: UC San Diego Electrical and Computer Engineering is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and we have so much to be proud of! Whether you're an alumnus, or an industry partner, we invite you to join us as we write the next chapter in electrical and computer engineering innovation!
- Date: Friday, April 10, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Location: UC San Diego Qualcomm Institute Auditorium & Courtyard
- More Details and Registration
44th Annual Research Expo
- Description: More than 150 graduate students from all six Jacobs School departments will showcase their research and workforce-ready engineering and computer science skills to industry judges and guests from all across our region's many innovation and industry clusters.
- Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Location: UC San Diego Qualcomm Institute Auditorium & Courtyard
- More Details and Registration
Illustrious Alumni Awards in San Francisco
- Description: We invite you to join campus leadership in the Bay Area as we celebrate our 2026 Illustrious Alumni Award honorees — an inspiring group of extraordinary visionaries whose significant achievements reflect the pride and excellence of the Triton community.
- Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Location: The Hibernia (1 Jones Street, San Francisco, CA 94102)
- More Details and Registration
Illustrious Alumni Awards in New York
- Description: We invite you to join campus leadership in New York City as we celebrate our 2026 Illustrious Alumni Award honorees — an inspiring group of extraordinary visionaries whose significant achievements reflect the pride and excellence of the Triton community.
- Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 6 to 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Tribeca 360° (10 Desbrosses Street, New York, NY 10013)
- More Details and Registration
MAY | Campus & Regional Events
Triton Wave Makers - Washington, D.C.
- Description: Connect with your UC San Diego community in DC, and learn about local alumni working in policy and global affairs. Meet fellow Tritons making an impact in their industries, engage with campus leaders and build connections with alumni to expand your network.
- Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2026 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
- Location: Station DC (1323 4th St NE Suite 200, Washington, DC 20002)
- More Details and Registration
Jacobs School Alumni and Friends in Seattle
- Description: Meet Dean Al P. Pisano and network with local engineering and computer science in Seattle. Immediately after, join the Triton Wave Makers event down the street to connect with the greater UC San Diego community.
- Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
- Location: TBD
- More Details and Registration
Triton Wave Makers - Seattle
- Description: Connect with your UC San Diego community in Seattle, and learn about local alumni working in videogame development. Meet fellow Tritons making an impact in their industries, engage with campus leaders and build connections with alumni to expand your network.
- Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
- Location: Museum of Pop Culture
- More Details and Registration
Bioengineering 60th Anniversary Celebration
- Description: The Shu Chien - Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering at UC San Diego is gathering to commemorate 60 years of pioneering research, education, and impact on human health.
- Date: Friday, May 22, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Location: UC San Diego Qualcomm Institute Auditorium & Courtyard
- More Details and Registration
JUNE | Local Events
Triton Wave Makers - San Diego
- Description: Connect with your UC San Diego community in San Diego. Meet fellow Tritons making an impact in their industries, engage with campus leaders and build connections with alumni to expand your network.
- Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
- Location: TBD
- More Details - COMING SOON
SAVE THE DATE! Homecoming and Triton Center Grand Opening Fall 2026
Save the date for Homecoming 2026! Taking place the first weekend of November (11/6-8), this year's Homecoming will include key events, including the grand opening of the Triton Welcome and Alumni Center, the Jacobs School Alumni and Friends picnic, and so much more! More information to come soon at alumni.ucsd.edu/events.
ALUMNI STORIES
Triton engineers are everywhere, and so is their impact. Read stories from fellow alumni, learn what they do and how they are making the world a better place. Read more on the Jacobs School Alumni Stories page.
Shraddha Chaplot ‘08, a UC San Diego alumna and former electrical engineer, has become a transformative leader in education through her innovative approach to learning.
After transitioning from a technology career, electrical engineering alumna Shraddha Chaplot founded Playful Ponderies and has led partnerships with several California schools. Her educational philosophy centers on creating real-world, experiential learning opportunities that empower students to discover their potential and purpose.
Chaplot’s notable achievements include expanding Drew’s engineering enrollment fourfold, establishing the Innovation @ Saint Francis program, now known as Lancers LEAP, with numerous multidisciplinary projects. Her impact is evident through the testimonials of her former students and partners, who describe her as an inspirational educator who instills confidence, curiosity and passion for problem-solving.
Her current mission is to scale her educational model across more high schools, emphasizing that every individual can contribute to society. Chaplot continues to champion her vision of empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators through purposeful, hands-on education.
Read more of Shraddha's story
Allan Sun '23, a UC San Diego alumnus and engineer, shares about his passion for mentoring others and staying connected to the UC San Diego community in this Q&A.
Allan Sun graduated from UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering in 2023 with a degree in computer engineering. In this Q&A, Sun reflects on what brought him to UC San Diego, his undergraduate research experience in Professor Vikash Gilja's Translational Neural Engineering Lab, and how mentorship shaped his journey from student to industry engineer.
He shares advice on navigating challenges, the importance of theoretical foundations, and why he continues to give back through mentoring students and supporting engineering clubs, ensuring the next generation receives the same guidance that helped him succeed.
Read more of Allan's story
Silvia De Dea, MS '04, PhD '08, a chemical engineering alumna with a storied journey, is leading efforts to bring clean energy for the betterment of humankind and the future.
Silvia De Dea's path from a curious middle schooler in northern Italy to Head of Materials and Process Engineering at Xcimer Energy illustrates how passion and persistence can drive scientific breakthroughs.
Throughout her career, De Dea has remained connected to UC San Diego, mentoring students and exploring partnerships with the university's new Fusion Engineering Institute. Her advice to aspiring engineers: find the intersection between passion and global needs, challenge those who say something is impossible, and embrace failure as learning.
Read more of Silvia's story
IN THE KNOW
Keep up with Dean Al P. Pisano and the latest research breakthroughs, recognitions and other great stories at the Jacobs School.
See what the campus and fellow Tritons are up to. You'll find stories, accomplishments and more in the UC San Diego Magazine.
GET IN TOUCH
Tritons and friends,
Extending warm greetings to you. It is a privilege to serve UC San Diego and our computer science and engineering alumni in my role as director of alumni relations.
I'm focused on strengthening the bond amongst alumni and UC San Diego long after graduation. Whether its by finding ways to connect alumni to their cherished programs, providing information and news, recognizing their accomplishments, or involving them in our community through events and more.
Along with engagement, I want to build and sustain a spirit of giving with our alumni community, with the goal of connecting them to crucial needs with opportunities that support the Jacobs School of Engineering in ways that are meaningful to our alumni and their families.
Please contact me by email, LinkedIn or Tritons Connect to share your story.
Warmly,
Jesse De La Trinidad
Director of Alumni Relations
UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering
GIVING
A little goes a long way. The donations we receive from our alumni, regardless of size, have an immediate impact on our people. Your contribution can provide students with incredible educational experiences, accelerate crucial research, and reach the programs you care about most. Philanthropy makes a real difference, and you can be a part of it.
By making a gift to the Jacobs School of Engineering, you can support the department, program or initiative of your choice.
Support scholarships and fellowships for students
Alumni continue to have a lifelong impact and influence on the university. Support students, both undergraduate and graduate, by making a donation to the Dean's Scholars of Excellence Fund. Students who have demonstrated excellent academic merit from all backgrounds, including underserved communities, will be empowered to excel in their pursuit of education.
Support our top-ranked programs
CONTACT US
We are here to help you create a legacy of support. Get in touch with our team to discuss your giving options, including one-time or recurring gifts, estate gifts, and gifts of stock and other assets.
NEWS
Behind the Scenes with National Geographic Explorer Albert Lin
December 21, 2023
Mika Elizabeth Ono of UC San Diego Qualcomm Institute (QI) caught up with National Geographic Explorer Albert Lin, a QI associate research scientist and Jacobs School Ph.D. alumnus. on the occasion of his new show, “Lost Cities Revealed.” Episodes of the six-part series are premiering on National Geographic, Hulu and Disney+ channels this fall before airing worldwide. (This interview has been edited for length and clarity.) Full Story
New Insights on Pelvic Floor Damage after Vaginal Birth, and New Directions for Treatment
August 2, 2023
UC San Diego bioengineers are leading a team reporting new insights in Science Translational Medicine on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) dysfunction and new directions for treatment and prevention. Full Story
UC San Diego Startup Wins $2.4 Million Defense Department Contract to Improve Battery Performance
May 23, 2023
Ateios Systems, a battery materials innovation company started by two UC San Diego alumni, announced recently that it has been awarded $2.4 million by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to help improve battery material performance and production. This effort will support a variety of critical military applications. Full Story
Commercial-scale Biomanufactured Melatonin is Here
April 11, 2023
For the first time, large amounts of melatonin are being made by bacteria. Engineered E. coli are feeding on glucose and churning out melatonin, the hormone that controls circadian rhythms. This mode of manufacturing is growing thanks in part to bioengineering advances made at UC San Diego. Full Story
Team of UC San Diego Entrepreneurs Pushes Biomedicine Forward with Virtual Reality
March 27, 2023
If you were looking for a poster child for the strength of UC San Diego’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the company Nanome would be a strong contender. Founded by Steven McCloskey ’15, Keita Funakawa ’16, Edgardo Leija ’14 and Samuel Hessenauer ’16 in 2016, Nanome offers software that brings molecular interactions to vivid, three-dimensional life in virtual, augmented and mixed reality. The interface has proven successful in accelerating drug discovery and has attracted clients that include over half of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical firms. Nanome’s educational software has been downloaded by more than 250 universities. Full Story
Alumni-led startup makes 3D printers for rugged environments
January 25, 2023
For Eric Shnell, his innovation journey began right here at UC San Diego in 2018 when he founded his startup Craitor, which develops highly capable, resilient and intuitive 3D printers for those who work far outside the sterile controls of a lab or shop. Full Story