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
Once again, NASA chooses a UC San Diego graduate for astronaut training
December 6, 2021
NASA on Monday chose a UC San Diego chemical engineering graduate to train to become an astronaut, a decision that comes as the space agency is preparing to send humans back to the moon, possibly as early as 2025. Full Story
Bioengineering alumnus' sustainable chemical company raises $118M
August 5, 2021
UC San Diego bioengineering alumnus Christophe Schilling is the cofounder and CEO of Genomatica, which just raised $118M in funding led by Novo Holdings. Genomatica makes sustainable, renewably-sourced chemicals and materials. Full Story
Alumna Chuah delivers 2021 CFK Memorial Lecture to Institution of Engineers, Malaysia
August 5, 2021
After earning her PhD in electrical engineering from the Jacobs School, Mooi Choo Chuah spent years conducting research in industry before becoming a computer science professor at Lehigh University. Chuah, who holds 63 patents, shared her industry to academia journey as she delivered the 31st Annual Professor Chin Fung Kee Memorial Lecture. Full Story
Titomic acquires alumni-led Tri-D Dynamics
August 5, 2021
Congrats to UC San Diego engineering alumni Deepak Atyam (aerospace), Alexander Finch and Jesse Lang (both structural), whose company Tri-D Dynamics was acquired by Titomic Limited. Tri-D develops smart, IoT connected pipe infrastructure. Full Story
Ishwar K. Puri named USC vice president for research
July 7, 2021
Ishwar K. Puri, an internationally known scientist and engineer whose research has explored fire safety, nanotechnology and 3D cell printing, has been named USC’s new vice president for research. Puri earned a PhD in engineering Science from the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego. Full Story
Women in Engineering --Anna Pridmore, P.E., Ph.D.
June 23, 2021
Anna Pridmore graduated from UC San Diego in 2009, with a Ph.D. in structural engineering, with a focus in advanced composites, design, material science and structural analysis. Today, she is vice president-pipeline and water infrastructure solutions at Structural Technologies. Full Story
UC San Diego Engineering Ranks #9 in U.S. News and World Report Best Engineering Schools Rankings
March 30, 2021
For the second year in a row, the University of California San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering has ranked #9 in the nation in the influential U.S. News & World Report Rankings of Best Engineering Schools. Full Story
With gene therapy, scientists develop opioid-free solution for chronic pain
March 10, 2021
A gene therapy for chronic pain could offer a safer, non-addictive alternative to opioids. By temporarily repressing a gene involved in sensing pain, the treatment increased pain tolerance in mice, lowered their sensitivity to pain and provided months of pain relief without causing numbness. Full Story
The Spectacular Synthesis of Spider Silk
January 26, 2021
For David Breslauer, a UC San Diego bioengineering alumnus and co-founder and chief scientific officer at Bolt Threads, a bioengineering company in Emeryville, Calif., the potential of the spider and the mushroom represent not just another way to make apparel, but a way to bring greater sustainability to the clothing industry. Full Story
Triton 5: Ji-San Lee '11
January 26, 2021
Structural engineering alumnus Ji-San Lee is the senior designer for CLAE Footwear, working to make their shoes more sustainable through recycled materials. Full Story
UC San Diego Alumnus at Helm of Company Behind First At-Home COVID Test
January 21, 2021
In November 2020, Lucira Health received emergency use authorization for the first rapid at-home COVID-19 test from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Erik Engelson, a UC San Diego bioengineering and microbiology alumnus, is president and CEO of Lucira Health. He spoke about the process of getting the COVID-19 test kit through FDA emergency use authorization, his time at UC San Diego, and advice for students, in this Q&A. Full Story
Alumna spotlight: Bridget Benson, electrical engineering professor at Cal Poly
January 8, 2021
Jacobs School computer science and engineering and Center for Machine Integrated Computing and Security alumna Bridget Benson shares her journey to becoming an associate professor of electrical engineering at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Full Story