Meet the Fulton Schools’ outstanding graduates of Spring 2018

BSE in Materials Science and Engineering
Hometown: Dammam, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Graduated from Alhussan Private School

Hassan Almousa has big dreams of using science and engineering to help the world. Though he first considered theoretical physics, he found his path in materials science and engineering.

“Materials science and engineering is a major where I can equally be a scientist and an engineer,” Almousa says. “It allows me to use theories and concepts as well as synthesize, characterize and build new materials and machines.”

Almousa has researched 2D materials that he believes will “open the door to a future where walls could be smart screens and we can wear devices and sensors on our skin.”

He has also served as president of the ASU chapter of Material Advantage, where he sought to bring industry and students together, create more networking experiences, help members land job offers and organize outreach efforts to get the word out about materials science and engineering opportunities.

The eight-time Dean’s List recipient enjoyed the research experience and lab work he conducted as part of his studies, especially with Professor Nathan Newman.

“Professor Newman had an amazing impact on me regarding the basics of research and group work,” Almousa says. “I learned life lessons and science lessons all the time from him.”

Almousa says he and Newman also share an interest in cars.

“My main hobby is automobile sports and sports cars,” Almousa says. “I love going to car shows and going to race tracks to race cars and watching the Formula One Championship.”

After graduation, Almousa will travel with the AZLoop team to the SpaceX 2018 Hyperloop Pod Competition in July and then start a job in the research and development center of Saudi Aramco, which funded his undergraduate degree.

He also has bigger plans for his future, including getting a master’s degree at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and later earning a doctoral degree. He hopes to one day build his own consulting company that will solve big scientific and engineering challenges.

“I see my future full of hard work and inspiration, to be a well-rounded person who will make lots of discoveries and lead the world to a better future,” he says. “My dream is to figure out the science behind dark matter and energy, and use it for the benefit of people.”

BS in Technological Entrepreneurship and Management
Hometown: Angola, Indiana
Graduated from Prairie Heights Senior High School

Nicole Billingsley worked full time at Mayo Clinic while she was also a full-time student at the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering — a daunting achievement, but possible for someone with a clear focus.

“It was always clear that my future included healthcare and a desire to effectively ‘be the good’ in this world,” she explained.

She started in a nursing program, but very soon realized that operations management and not direct patient care was what she wanted.

“This decision to change my focus, albeit difficult to arrive at initially, was one of the best decisions of my life,” she said. “I’m now 100 percent certain that I’m on the right path.”

Billingsley is a patient support supervisor in the cardiovascular diseases unit at Mayo Clinic.

“As an individual who innately questions and primarily focuses on the process, a degree in operations management made sense,” she said.

She said that an engineering mindset combined with her passion for healthcare will help her positively impact the lives of patients, providers and allied health staff. A leader of day-to-day operations at a healthcare facility, she hopes to assure that the focus is on best practices, including fiscally responsible reform, while remaining open to change and maintaining interdisciplinary collaboration, integrity and an ongoing commitment to education.

In July she starts at Grand Canyon University, where she will pursue both the Master of Business Administration and Master in Leadership degrees.

Her advice to other students: it’s never too late to do what you were meant to do.

“While it is inevitable that life will get in the way at some point, don’t allow yourself to lose sight of those things that help you to shine,” she said. 

BSE in Technological Entrepreneurship and Management
Hometown: Franklin Lakes, New Jersey

Ian Brenner has a passion for making change. His goal: “invent, scale, repeat beautiful artifacts through the progression of science, technology and art.”

Growing up, Brenner was surrounded by people who were fascinated by design and challenged him with ideas. His grandfather was his “engineering idol” who taught him to push back at conventional thinking. His father, an orthopedic surgeon and founder of Diagnostic Lab Corporation, is credited with the advancement of new surgical techniques and was past medical director of ADM Tronics. There, Brenner got to know and work alongside scientist and inventor Alfonso DiMino.

He is currently working on the creation of personalized medicine regimes using cannabinoids and the production of alternative energy based on blueprints designed with DiMino. He chose the Technological Entrepreneurship and Management program because of its focus on preparing innovators.

“I wanted a degree that would allow me to create the things I dream about and fascinate me, and a STEM degree, particularly in tech entrepreneurship, was the closest thing available to help build a foundation for that future,” Brenner said. “With a ‘choose your own adventure’ framework — in my case focused on product design, management and entrepreneurship — the foundation is laid for true disruption.”

Brenner advises future students to take time off if necessary to figure out what they want to do in life.

“Go out and find something you love and then come back and explore that passion in an environment designed to challenge you,” he said. “Do not waste your time and money chasing someone else’s goals. If you can keep that in mind while being realistic, you will be light years ahead of most who chase a piece of paper without passion.”

An outdoorsman, Brenner feels most comfortable on the ocean or in the mountains, but in the next year he will focus on pursuing a master’s degree.

BSE in Human Systems Engineering
Hometowns: Medina, Ohio, and Gilbert, Arizona
Graduated from Gilbert High School

No fewer than four faculty members told Pamela Coleman that she would be a perfect fit for human systems engineering.

They were right. After switching majors, her passion for the emerging field that combines systems engineering, technology and psychology “has grown immensely,” Coleman says now as she plans to continue studies to earn a master’s degree in the discipline.

Throughout her undergraduate years, Coleman says she has found ways “to apply her major to nearly everything she does daily.”

By her sophomore year, Coleman had joined the Undergraduate Student Government at ASU’s Polytechnic campus. She started as an intern, moved up to a senator and then a designated Senate post enabling her to represent her fellow students in ASU’s Barrett, the Honors College.

Her motivation to help lead campus government was “to help improve student’s experience,” an impulse that aligned with what attracted her to human systems engineering.

Beyond exemplary academic performance, Coleman’s accomplishments include securi,ing the services of a certified psychologist for Polytechnic campus students and starting an initiative aimed at finding solutions for student housing, facilities and transportation issues.

Coleman was appointed the campus student government’s first director of Health and Wellness, a position that charged her with the task of promoting physical, mental and sexual health among students.

This semester she planned a campus event for World Health Day on April 7 for students to learn about opportunities and services available to help them maintain their health.

She established another event, known as Poly Gras, (pronounced like the New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration), a party-atmosphere gathering at which students can get to know their student government leaders.

Coleman’s academic abilities and varied extracurricular endeavors earned her support from ASU’s New American University Scholar program and from the Martinson Sustainability Solutions Research Grant Program.

During her off hours, Coleman has trained for more than three years in yoga and meditation, leading her to be selected to teach a stretch group fitness class at the Polytechnic campis student fitness center. She’s also skilled at “the art of makeup” – a talent she acquired “by watching, many, many YouTube videos.”

Beyond her knowledge of humans systems engineering, Coleman says she also considers herself “skilled at yoga” — as well as at “quick planning” and “the art of makeup” — the latter talent acquired “by watching many, many YouTube videos.”

BS in Graphic Information Technology
Minor in Human Systems Engineering
Hometown: Mesa, Arizona
Graduated from Desert Hills High School in Gilbert, Arizona

Amber Draina, a graphic information technology major at Arizona State University, never backs away from a challenge. She’s managed several jobs, a full class schedule and student club involvement — all while raising a two-year-old.

“I’ve grown as a person and pushed myself to become a great leader,” said Draina, who’s also pursuing a minor in human systems engineering. “It meant many nights of only a few hours of sleep, but it was all worth it. I learned the value of time management and strengthened my dedication to earn my degree.”

Christina Carrasquilla, a lecturer of graphic information technology, has mentored Draina since early on in the program. Carrasquilla invited Draina to become an undergraduate teaching assistant and encouraged her to join AIGA Poly, a student organization focused on design and technology.

“Carrasquilla has definitely helped me grow as a student and as a leader,” said Draina, who grew up in Gilbert, Arizona. “She encouraged me to get involved in a leadership role, which has given me so much experience and confidence to succeed in my professional life.”

Draina has been the president of AIGA Poly for almost two years. The organization creates design solutions for clients in the community and at ASU. In 2017, they won an award for the best demonstration of community embeddedness at the Student Organization Awards and Recognition Ceremony.

“The most rewarding aspect about my experience at ASU has been the great friendships I’ve made through being involved with so many activities,” she said.

In the fall, Draina will start her master’s degree as part of a 4+1 accelerated program. She’ll focus on the business and marketing side of the industry, while working as a UX tester at ASU’s Enterprise Marketing Hub. Eventually, she wants to be a creative director who helps smaller non-profits with marketing.

BS in Information Technology
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Graduated from Paragon Science Academy in Chandler, Arizona

Yasmine Hassan has lived in Arizona her whole life. She was born in Scottsdale and grew up in Chandler.

When choosing a university, she wanted a convenient commute and a chance to help others and impact lives.

“I knew Arizona State University would provide me the opportunity to thrive and improve in any major,” said Hassan, an information technology major in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

Upon entering the university, Hassan was interested in many diverse fields. Coming from a STEM-related background in high school, she finally stumbled upon the information technology major. Once she enrolled and started attending classes, she felt very passionate about the material and constantly wanted to learn more.

“One aspect I like about technology is that it’s constantly changing. There’s always something new to learn in this dynamic, fast-growing field,” said Hassan. “The advancements in computers and engineering have impacted several fields in our society, including health, education and e-commerce, with the aim of improving our everyday lives.”

Hassan received the New American University Scholar Dean’s Award and the Moeur Award. She has also been on the Dean’s List every semester during her undergraduate education.

“The best piece of advice I’d like to give to those still in school is work hard because it is the key to success,” said Hassan. “Hard work always awards you in the end.”

After graduation, Hassan plans to continue her education in graduate school as part of the accelerated (4+1) bachelor’s and master’s degree program in information technology at ASU.

When asked what problem she would solve with $40 million, Hassan said she’d donate and distribute the money to help children who are orphaned, hungry and abandoned around the world.

BS in Aeronautical Management Technology (Air Traffic Management)
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Graduated from Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona

Nathan Kishiyama is setting his sights on a career that takes him to a place where the action is. In his field that would be any of the country’s busiest air traffic control towers.

One particular experience made him feel like that is the kind of work environment in which he can thrive.

During the year he worked as an intern at the traffic control tower at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. He recalls a time when a complex scenario involving multiple aircraft began to develop over the airport.

“The controller looked to me and said, ‘Well, what would you do with these planes?’ I was able to give a quick answer. To my surprise, the controller did the exact things I said. Turns out, he agreed with my judgment,” Kishiyama says. “To me, it was proof that I was absorbing information about the situation, combining it with our separation requirements, and creating control instructions that would ensure safe and efficient traffic flow.”

Other pursuits he undertook in his undergraduate years reinforced his affinity for the aviation world.

He was a research assistant in Arizona State University’s Aircraft Structures Lab. He was a teaching assistant for STEM classes at the ASU Preparatory Academy and for aviation classes at the East Valley Institute of Technology vocational school.

He did aviation education and community outreach on behalf of ASU and the Federal Aviation Administration. He aided Phoenix Deer Valley Airport in projects to address challenges involving its facilities and with increasing air traffic volume.

Kishiyama credits his success in overcoming the challenges of his college studies to guidance from two “excellent” Fulton Schools faculty members – lecturers John DeLugt and Verne Latham.

He says their dedication and commitment to students motivated him to approach his education with similar determination.

His studies were also supported by earning an ASU Provost’s Scholarship for students demonstrating exceptional academic skills.

Kishiyama’s goals for the future include earning flight instructor certifications, finding opportunities to help implement the use of next-generation air traffic control systems and introducing unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace System.

He also plans to earn a master’s degree, possibly in the Fulton Schools Aviation Management and Human Factors program.

“Regardless of where my career takes me,” Kishiyama says. “I want to make sure I give back [to the aviation community] by volunteering, mentoring and teaching.”

BSE in Aerospace Engineering
Hometown: Pine Island, Minnesota
Graduated from Pine Island High School

Growing up in Pine Island, Minnesota, Jack Miller had a knack for building match rockets. He spent hours with his best friend, tweaking the designs to see whose rocket would fly the farthest or highest.

Miller usually came home with singed clothes, burnt hands and the smell of match smoke, but it solidified his field of study: aerospace engineering.

“Engineering changes the world every single day,” said Miller, an honors student in aerospace engineering at Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. “With the advances in aerospace technologies, engineering will not only change this world but all the other worlds we will one day visit.”

Miller received the Srinivasan Iyer Family New American University Scholarship, the Mayo Foundation Scholarship and the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program Scholarship. With the support of ASU, he also had the opportunity to study abroad in Nepal, South Asia.

As a participant of the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative, Miller conducted research on flexible composite propellant tanks under the guidance of Daniel White, a lecturer of aerospace and mechanical engineering. He designed and fabricated a small-scale, flexible composite propellant tank to validate the theoretical advantages of such a device on a larger manufacturing scale.

Miller is also a founding member of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space at ASU Rocketry Division — an organization that designs and builds high-powered rockets for competition. Last year, they won second place in the national University Student Rocketry Competition. They also secured a KEEN grant to fund an experimental sounding rocket for this year’s Spaceport America Cup.

After graduation, Miller will be pursuing a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering with the Adaptive Intelligent Materials and Systems Center. He wants to work with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, SpaceX, Blue Origin or start his own company.

BSE in Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Home-schooled

On graduation day, Matthew Oman will be commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and this fall he reports for flight school at the naval air station in Pensacola, Florida. His goal is literally the stars: he hopes to become a test pilot and astronaut.

It’s a daunting mission, but Oman knows how to persevere. “The one characteristic that has helped me in more ways than any other is tenacity,” he says. “You could be gifted or talented, or your predecessors could have given you all the opportunities in the world, but in the long run, nothing beats a ferocious, undying will to achieve.”

He has always wanted to be a warrior and a pilot, and Navy ROTC offered him the chance to be considered for flight school. Since joining ROTC he has become a respected leader, and for three years, he was the top midshipman in his battalion. He commanded new student orientation for incoming freshmen ROTC students during the summer of 2017 and was the operations officer for ROTC in spring 2017. His senior year he served as battalion commanding officer.

Engineering appealed to him because it teaches a practical kind of intellectual discipline.

“I may not remember all of the equations I have learned over the last few years, but the solution-oriented mindset that engineering fosters is something I will definitely take with me,” he says.

While in the Navy, he plans to earn a master’s degree in aerospace or electrical engineering.

“I hope to use my engineering education to help develop aircraft systems and the Navy’s warfighting ability,” Oman adds, “And I would love to be a part of the next phase of space exploration.”

BSE in Chemical Engineering
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Graduated from Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona

Frederick Rivers was born and raised in Chandler, Arizona. He chose to stay close to home for his undergraduate studies, but his future plans will see him marching to Texas for the next chapter of his academic career.

Rivers, a student in Barrett, The Honors College, will be recognized as Moeur Award recipient for completing his studies at ASU in eight semesters with a 4.0 GPA.

He was a two-time participant in the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative, where he used computational methods to model membrane processes for water recovery.

“I learned a lot about computational research while still getting plenty of experience in experimental work,” says Rivers.

Rivers interactions with both faculty and students at ASU left a lasting impression.

“In fall of my junior year, I met a group of other Chem E guys that I can easily call my best friends who I would continually work with and we’ve never had a dull moment together,” Rivers says.

Associate Professor Mary Laura Lind was a mentor to Rivers since he started at ASU.

“Dr. Lind has greatly impacted my growth as an undergraduate,” he says. “She always has given the most helpful advice when making important decisions during my time at ASU, and I am very grateful for her and what she has done for me.”

Outside the classroom, Rivers performed with the independent Winter Guard International performing ensemble Vision Percussion every spring starting in 2016.

“I played marching snare and was section leader the past two seasons,” he says. “In both 2016 and 2017, we received first place in the state in our division.”

As for what’s next, he will be pursuing a doctorate in chemical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin starting fall 2018.

After completion of his doctorate, he hopes to stay in academia and work as a faculty member and professor at a research university.

“That has been a dream of mine ever since I starting being an undergraduate teaching assistant,” he says.

BS in Environmental and Resource Management, minor in Sustainability
Hometown: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Graduated from Memorial High School in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Kylie Southard says she came to ASU to explore the possibilities of many different fields, and to collaborate with people with different backgrounds, ideas and passions.

She began her ASU career in the field of earth studies, but it didn’t hold her attention — “the fervency wasn’t there,” Southard says.

Then the Environmental and Resource Management program at the Polytechnic campus caught Southard’s interest.

“I wanted something more math and science intensive that also had a clear focus in environmental science and sustainable concepts,” says Southard, who also is completing a minor in sustainability.

Southard earned a Walton Scholarship from the ASU Global Sustainability Studies Program in 2017, a scholarship given to students who exemplify the kind of leadership needed to create a more sustainable world. As part of the scholarship program, Southard studied water resources and wildlife economy in South Africa. The experience built on Southard’s previous global work as a volunteer at a Thailand elephant sanctuary in summer 2016.

Besides studying environmental and resource management and sustainability, Southard served on the ASU Club Tennis Team officers board as the event coordinator and sang in the ASU Women’s Choir. She also loves to play the ukulele and piano, practice yoga and run — two years ago she ran her first half marathon.

After graduation, Southard plans to study field archeology and geophysical testing over the summer at the Center for American Archeology at ASU’s Kampsville Field School in Kampsville, Illinois. Then she’ll start an internship at Honeywell’s Aerospace Headquarters in Phoenix that continues through the fall. Southard also will begin the Environmental and Resource Management master’s program at ASU in the fall with support from the Phoenix Panhellenic Scholarship.

Southard sees her future as a hopeful place where she can positively influence the environment and people around her.

“I would like to engage in research globally and become a better public speaker,” she says. “I hope that I will be able to collaborate and be inspired by many remarkable people while also influencing other people with my own work.”

BS in Computer Science
Minor in Biological Sciences
Hometown: Peoria, Arizona
Graduated from Centennial High School in Peoria, Arizona

Even as a youngster, Jiaqi Wu’s favorite subjects in school were those related to science, engineering, technology and math. In high school her interests began to take on a sharper focus.

“I found myself enjoying the logic behind programming a computer,” she recalls. At the same time, in a biology class, she “saw the parallels between programming a living cell and programming a computer.”

That revelation set the path for her pursuits in college as a student in Arizona State University’s Barrett, the Honors College and Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

She took full advantage of opportunities to dig deep into studies and research on her interests — opportunities that she opened for herself by earning multiple scholarships.

In addition to Arizona State University’s New American University Scholars Program Presidents Award, she won scholarships though the Fulton Schools, including a Panhuise Engineering Scholarship, a Boeing Scholarship, the Jodie Filardo Scholarship, and the Women in STEM Scholarship.

She also earned two fellowships through the Barrett Bidstrup Foundation Undergraduate Fellows Program for her work on research projects guided by two Fulton Schools faculty members

For her honors thesis, Wu worked with Assistant Professor Sharon Hsiao on a computer science project to develop an educational analytics application called Study Genie, an intelligent and collaborative web-based study platform.  

Assistant Professor Karmella Haynes guided Wu on bioinformatics research exploring the potential for an engineered anti-cancer protein to also be used to treat diabetes.

But the biggest research thrill was teaming with fellow students for the International Genetically Engineered Machine competition, known as iGEM, the leading synthetic biology contest for college students.

That ASU team won an iGEM gold medal by taking first-place awards in two major categories of the competition and earning nominations for the top awards in two other categories.

Wu’s work through the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative brought her grants to fund trips to three major international science and engineering conferences, while her academic performance got her on the Fulton Schools Dean’s List every semester.

Her interests in both computer science and biology have melded into an ambitious career aspiration.

“My research interests seemed scattered at first,” Wu says. “But looking back, I can see the dots connecting and everything coming together.”

She now intends to expand her expertise by pursuing a master’s degree in computer science with a concentration in computational biology.

It’s the next step in Wu’s plans for a career helping to solve some of the world’s biggest biology challenges.