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 48,000 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
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!
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.
Jacobs School 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.
AUGUST | Triton Leaders Conference, Regional Events
Triton Leaders Conference
- Description: Join us on Saturday, August 9, as alumni leaders, dynamic speakers and changemakers unite for an energizing day of impact and connection.
- Date and Time: August 8-9, 2025
- Location: UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies (La Jolla Campus)
- More Details
Computer Science and Engineering Summer Picnic in Seattle
- Description: Connect with fellow CSE alumni living and working in the Greater Seattle region!
- Date and Time: Sunday, August 10, 2025 from 11 to 2 p.m.
- Location: Sony Pictures Studios, Culver City, CA
- More Details
Computer Science and Engineering Summer Picnic in the Bay Area
- Description: Connect with fellow CSE alumni living and working in the Bay Area!
- Date and Time: Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 12 to 3 p.m.
- Location: TBD
- More Details
Computer Science and Engineering Summer Picnic in the San Diego
- Description: Connect with fellow CSE alumni living and working in the San Diego!
- Date and Time: Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 11 to 2 p.m.
- Location: UC San Diego (Atkinson Courtyard)
- More Details
SEPTEMBER | To be determined
TBD
OCTOBER | Illustrious Alumni Awards, Regional Events
Triton Wave Makers in New York
- Description: Connect with fellow UC San Diego alumni and hear from fascinating panelists on current issues.
- Date and Time: Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Location: The Green Space
- More Details
Triton Wave Makers in the Bay Area
- Description: Connect with fellow UC San Diego alumni and hear from fascinating panelists on current issues.
- Date and Time: Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Location: TBD
- More Details
Illustrious Alumni Awards in Los Angeles
- Description: Join us as we celebrate the excellence of our alumni during this special evening in Los Angeles.
- Date and Time: Tuesday, October 14 from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Location: Sony Studios in Culver City, CA
- More Details
NOVEMBER | Homecoming
Homecoming
- Description: From reunions to athletics events, there's something for everyone at this year's Homecoming!
- Date: November 8, 2025
- Location: UC San Diego (various)
- More Details
Jacobs School Alumni and Friends Picnic
- Description: Join the second annual Homecoming picnic at the Jacobs School of Engineering, and reunite with friends and fellow alumni.
- Date: November 8, 2025 from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Location: UC San Diego Warren Mall
- More Details
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, Chaplot founded Playful Ponderies and has led partnerships with several California schools, including Drew School in San Francisco, Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, and York School in Monterey.
Her educational philosophy centers on creating real-world, experiential learning opportunities that empower students to discover their potential and purpose. At each institution, Chaplot developed groundbreaking programs that connect students with industry professionals, enabling them to work on meaningful projects across diverse fields like robotics, mental health, sustainability and design. Her signature approach involves personalized learning experiences that challenge students to think beyond traditional classroom boundaries.
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. Chaplot’s 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
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 alumni in my role as the Director of Alumni Relations.
My commitment is to bolster the bond between alumni and UC San Diego long after graduation. I aim to build connections with alumni and find ways to connect them to the campus, provide them with information and news, recognize their accomplishments, and involve them in our community through events and more.
Along with engagement, I also lead efforts to build and sustain philanthropic opportunities that support the Jacobs School of Engineering in ways that are meaningful to our alumni and their families.
I invite you to connect with me by email, LinkedIn or Tritons Connect to share your story and interests. Go Tritons!
Warmly,
Jesse De La Trinidad
Director of Alumni Relations
UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering
SUPPORT A CAUSE
The gifts we receive from our alumni, regardless of size, have an immediate impact on our community. These contributions provide students with access to top-tier education and facilities, accelerate research, and establish scholarships and fellowships. Philanthropy truly makes a 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 your top-ranked departments
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
News Obituary: Y.C. Bert Fung
December 20, 2019
Yuan-Cheng “Bert” Fung, known as “the father of biomechanics” and one of the founders of the discipline of bioengineering at the University of California San Diego, passed away Dec. 15, 2019 of natural causes. He was 100. Full Story
Understanding and Combating the Economic Pull of Cybercrime
November 27, 2019
Neha Chachra works as an Engineering Manager at Facebook, where she has been employed since 2016, leading a team that protects Facebook against abusive links, protecting the platform from harmful URLs that expose users to phishing, spamming and malware. The work is a natural progression of her research and interests at UC San Diego, where she received her Ph.D. in 2015. Full Story
UC San Diego Institute for the Global Entrepreneur launches Medtech Accelerator, Shah Family Fellowships, and Founders Fund
November 21, 2019
During its inaugural showcase, the Institute for the Global Entrepreneur announced it’s launching a new MedTech Accelerator, as well as the Shah Family Entrepreneur Fellowship, and a new IGE Founders Fund, seeded with an initial $1 million philanthropic gift from the Legler Benbough Foundation. Full Story
Franklin Antonio Hall Groundbreaking Celebration
November 21, 2019
The University of California San Diego celebrated the groundbreaking of its newest engineering building, Franklin Antonio Hall, on Friday. The building is designed for active learning, collaborative research and the transfer of innovation to society. Full Story
I Sit in the Red Chair Because...
November 21, 2019
They came in droves to sit in the Red Chair–graduate students, undergrads, faculty, staff, deans, the chancellor. They came to express their thoughts on diversity—and the results were powerful.“I sit so that one day every student can look at their classroom and see people who are like them,” said undergrad Joyaan Bhesania."I sit for my ancestors who could not,” said Becky Petitt, Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “And I'm grateful that they opened doors for me to be able to sit here.” Full Story
Bioengineering Pioneer Y.C. Bert Fung Turns 100
October 3, 2019
Thousands of professors, engineers, scientists and students around the world work in the field of biomechanics, the study of physics and mechanics applied to living tissues. But they are all somehow connected to Professor Y.C. “Bert” Fung at the University of California San Diego. Some use Fung’s findings in their work. Others were trained by or worked with Fung’s students. A core group studied directly under him. Fung realized that physics and mechanics apply to living tissues just as they do to manmade structures. He is often referred to as “the father of biomechanics.” Full Story
App allows inspectors to find gas pump skimmers faster
August 14, 2019
A team of computer scientists at UC San Diego and the University of Illinois has developed an app that allows state and federal inspectors to detect devices that steal consumer credit and debit card data at gas pumps. The devices, known as skimmers, use Bluetooth to transmit the data they steal. Full Story
In memory of Robert Hecht-Nielsen, an influential neuroscientist, entrepreneur and UC San Diego professor
July 1, 2019
Robert Hecht-Nielsen was an influential neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and electrical engineering professor at the University of California San Diego. He passed away in his sleep on May 26, 2019 in Del Mar, Calif. He was 71 years old. A pioneer in the development of neural networks, Hecht-Nielsen authored the first textbook on the subject, Neurocomputing, in 1989. Full Story
How UCSD changed my life and might change your life too: A Q&A with ECE alumnus Dan Chang
June 10, 2019
Dan Chang feels that he left the world a better place after his 30 years in industry and credits his time at UC San Diego with putting him on that path. He is passionate about ensuring that our current engineering students know that they are capable of doing more than making a lot of money with their degree. Full Story
Engineering Students Find New, Unexpected Careers in Biomedicine
May 28, 2019
Two years ago, as fourth-year undergraduate students majoring in engineering, Yan Gong and Lu Xu had no idea they were about to enter the world of biomedicine. They were in a circuits class when their professor recommended them for positions in Imanuel Lerman’s lab, which was searching for students to help with developing a treatment for chronic pain. One of their first meetings with Lerman was at a hospital where Lerman, associate professor with UC San Diego’s Department of Anesthesiology, asked the two students to solve an issue with interference that was jamming his medical research neurotechnology devices. Without his tools, he couldn’t accurately measure his patients’ physiological responses to a novel neurotechnology he hoped would dampen their responses to pain. Full Story
Two Jacobs School alumni to be recognized at UC San Diego Alumni Awards Celebration
May 23, 2019
Taner Halicioglu, a computer science alumnus, will be recognized as Outstanding Alumnus during the 2019 Alumni Awards Celebration Weekend, May 31 to June 2. True Xiong, an electrical and computer engineering alumnus, will be recognized as a Changemaker. Full Story
UC San Diego Giving Day
May 15, 2019
The challenge is on! UC San Diego is hosting its inaugural Giving Day for 1,960 minutes on Thursday, May 16 with a goal of bringing the university community together to create collective impact. To make Giving Day a bit more fun, several generous donors have created matching gift challenges for Jacobs School of Engineering projects. Full Story
Anticancer vaccines, natural language for computers, and multifunctional materials take center stage at UC San Diego Research Expo
March 14, 2019
The University of California San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering was just ranked the #11 graduate engineering program in the country by US News. Hear from more than 200 of these talented graduate students as they present their research at the 38th annual Jacobs School Research Expo, a showcase of the top engineering and computer science work underway at UC San Diego. Full Story
Training Clinical Engineers
February 4, 2019
UC San Diego's Clinical Bioengineering course offers undergraduate engineering students hands-on learning experience to solve clinical problems. The course reflects the Institute of Engineering in Medicine's mission to connect engineers with physicians to produce medical innovations. Full Story