The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (formerly AMES) has many more alumni since our first graduate walked the podium in 1968 and we are working diligently to forge a stronger network for past and future alumni of our world-renowned programs.; We invite you to engage with us by:
Getting Involved
In order to provide a real-world design experience in an educational environment, the UC San Diego Mechanical Engineering capstone design course solicits projects from industry, research, and the community. We invite you to collaborate with our undergraduate students in solving engineering problems by sponsoring Capstone Design Projects. We also have mentoring opportunities for all levels of commitment you are able to provide. If you have employment opportunities, we encourage you to tap into our pool of talented students.
Staying Connected
We invite you to stay connected with us by visiting our Events and Seminars. Keep apprised of departmental news and current events.
Giving Back
Our department is committed to fostering a creative environment by providing cutting-edge equipment and tools to our students. Your gift will support our research and instructional infrastructures enhancing our already top-ranked graduate program and ABET-accredited undergraduate programs. We thank you in advance for your generous donation(s) to our Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Excellence and Innovation Fund.
For more information
Contact Colleen Doran, Senior Director of Development, Jacobs School of Engineering via email: c1doran@ucsd.edu.
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Alumni Board
Purpose of the Board
The MAE Alumni Board is committed to shaping the next decade of engagement, impact and connection between UC San Diego’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and its global alumni community. The Board brings together alumni leaders across industries and disciplines to strengthen relationships between students, faculty, alumni and industry. Through mentorship, professional connections, alumni engagement and support for novel research, the Board will help create new opportunities for collaboration and innovation while bringing the knowledge and experience of our alumni back to the department. At the heart of this work is a shared commitment to the next generation of mechanical and aerospace engineers. By opening doors to industry, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting emerging research and fostering a lifelong connection to UC San Diego, the Board aims to help MAE students and graduates build the skills, networks and confidence to shape what comes next. Together, we are building an alumni community that not only celebrates the impact of MAE’s past but actively helps define its future.
Meet the Board
Rachel Flanagan, MS ’18, PhD ’21
San Diego, CA
President
Dr. Rachel Flanagan is a Principal FTL-Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman and a Ph.D. graduate in Mechanical Engineering at UC San Diego, where her research focuses on the shock behavior of materials. A leader in the university community, Flanagan has served as President of the Graduate Student Association and brings experience spanning research, engineering, and education. Her work has included research at Los Alamos National Laboratory and an internship with BAE Systems. Flanagan is passionate about supporting the next generation of engineers and strengthening the MAE community through her service as the inaugural president of the MAE Alumni Board.
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn
Silvia De Dea, MS ’04, PhD ’08
Denver, CO
Dr. Silvia De Dea is Head of Materials and Process Engineering at Xcimer Energy, where she focuses on the materials, manufacturability, and reliability challenges of commercializing fusion energy. A chemical engineering alumna, De Dea has built a career tackling complex engineering challenges, including at ASML, where her work in surface chemistry helped enable continuous operation of extreme ultraviolet lithography systems. Along with serving the MAE Industry Advisory Board, De Dea brings her experience in materials science, advanced manufacturing, and hard-tech innovation and an interdisciplinary spirit to support the MAE community.
Connect with Silvia on LinkedIn
Gopesh Tilvawala, PhD ’21
Menlo Park, CA
Dr. Gopesh Tilvawala is a mechanical engineer and display mechanical engineer at Apple, where he applies engineering and technology to develop innovative products. A UC San Diego alumnus, Tilvawala earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering after completing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Australia. His career has spanned entrepreneurship, medical-device development, and consumer technology, reflecting his passion for applying fundamental science to create novel technologies and solutions with positive societal impact. He is excited to support the next generation of MAE engineers.
Connect with Gopesh on LinkedIn
G.B. Singh, MS ’19, PhD ’22
San Diego, CA
Dr. G.B. Singh is Vice President of Construction Industries at Caterpillar, where he leads customer-focused solutions across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eurasia, and Latin America. He previously held leadership roles at Solar Turbines, including Director of Business Management and Director of Engineering Operations. His technical interests include hybrid power systems that integrate gas turbines, solar, wind, and battery storage. Based in San Diego, Singh values the opportunity to stay connected to UC San Diego and support the MAE community.
Geno Pawlak, MS ’94, PhD ’97
San Diego, CA
Faculty Liaison
Dr. Geno Pawlak is a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UC San Diego, where he brings expertise in fluid dynamics, ocean engineering, and environmental flows. A UC San Diego alumnus, Pawlak earned his Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics and Engineering Sciences in 1997 before beginning his academic career at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He returned to UC San Diego in 2012 and continues to contribute to the university’s research and educational mission. He is committed to strengthening connections between MAE and its alumni community.
Ross Turner ’12, PhD ’23
Sunnyvale, CA
Dr. Ross Turner is an engineer with experience spanning materials development, aerospace and mechanical design, and system-level architecture. A two-time UC San Diego alumnus, Turner has worked across deep-sea robotics and Low Earth Orbit satellite technologies, combining industry and academic research experience in materials development. His work emphasizes systems integration, testing, and product improvement, and he brings a broad, interdisciplinary perspective to the MAE Alumni Board and its efforts to connect students with engineering careers and industry.
Daniel Maldonado Naranjo ’23, MS
Los Angeles, CA
Daniel Maldonado Naranjo is a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer supporting launch vehicle stability and control analysis. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at UC San Diego and his M.S. at MIT's Active Adaptive Control Laboratory. His career spans NASA, Idaho National Laboratory, and Brembo. As an undergraduate he worked in the Safe Autonomous Systems Lab and was active in Tau Beta Pi, SHPE, and SCSE, leading K-12 outreach reaching 1,800+ students and earning the 2023 Graduate Deans' Leadership Award, one of three UC-wide. He is focused on expanding pathways into engineering and connecting alumni, students, and industry.
Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn
Tammy Ma, MS ’08, PhD ’10
San Francisco, CA
Dr. Tammy Ma is Deputy Principal Associate Director for Science & Technology at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility & Photon Sciences Directorate, where she helps shape the future of fusion science and technology. A UC San Diego alumna, Ma earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and has become a leading voice in fusion research and innovation. She was part of the team that achieved fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility in 2022 and has advised the U.S. Department of Energy on fusion and broader scientific priorities. She is passionate about advancing fusion and inspiring future engineers.
Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
Lazaro Ayala Herrera ’00
San Diego, CA
Lazaro Ayala Herrera is a Principal Systems Engineer with more than 20 years of experience in mechanical design, systems engineering, and product development. A UC San Diego alumnus, Herrera brings deep expertise in translating customer needs into effective mechanical solutions and has worked extensively across design, analysis, and engineering collaboration. He is also a strong advocate for the professional development of students, and deeply active with student and professional organizations in San Diego, including the Society for Professional Hispanic Engineers. At Northrop Grumman, he is the current Chair of the ADELANTE ERG (Employee Resource Group), and he is the founder of the professional and personal development platform SUCCESS INNOVATION. He looks forward to helping MAE students and alumni build meaningful connections and opportunities.
Connect with Lazaro on LinkedIn
Shonte Tucker ’97, MS
Los Angeles, CA
Shonte Tucker is Deputy Systems Manager for the Spacecraft Mechanical Engineering Section at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where they help lead engineers responsible for mechanical architecture and systems that enable ambitious space missions and scientific discovery. A UC San Diego alumna with a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Tucker brings experience in spacecraft mechanical engineering and technical leadership to the MAE Alumni Board. She is passionate about developing engineering talent and creating connections between students, alumni, and the aerospace community.
Connect with Shonte on LinkedIn
Erik Levine ’91, MS
San Francisco, CA
Erik Levine is the founder of Astro Cellular LLC, an aerospace consulting firm supporting established aerospace companies and emerging space startups. A UC San Diego alumnus, Levine earned his B.S. in Applied Mechanical Engineering and has more than 30 years of experience spanning spacecraft systems, battery technology, launch vehicles, optical communications, and program leadership. His career has included senior roles at companies including Stellar Solutions, CACI, SpaceLink, Intuitive Surgical, and Maxar. Levine brings broad aerospace experience and a strong commitment to supporting the next generation of MAE engineers.
Benjamin Maurer ’01, MS ’06, PhD ’11
San Diego, CA
Dr. Benjamin Maurer is a research engineer at the National Laboratory of the Rockies, working in waterborne plastics pollution detection, measurement, and intervention. In addition to research, Ben also manages external partnership engagement across energy conversion and storage technologies for NLR.. A UC San Diego alumnus, Maurer earned his doctorate in Oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, along with a master’s in Engineering Sciences from MAE and bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Philosophy at Revelle College. His interdisciplinary career has taken him across five continents and spans ocean science, robotics, renewable energy, and environmental research. He is passionate about applying engineering and science to pressing global challenges.
Priyank Saxena, PhD ’07
San Diego, CA
Dr. Priyank Saxena is a Principal Engineer in the Combustion Engineering Department at Solar Turbines, a Caterpillar company, where he works on advanced combustion technologies and lower-emission energy solutions. A UC San Diego alumnus, Saxena earned his Ph.D. in 2007, studying combustion theory under Professor Forman A. Williams. His work has explored fuel flexibility, including hydrogen and biofuels, while addressing emissions, performance, and reliability in industrial gas turbines. Saxena brings the technical foundation developed at UC San Diego to the evolving energy landscape and is committed to supporting the MAE community.
Connect with Priyank on LinkedIn
Areas of Impact and Committees
Student Engagement
The Student Engagement Committee focuses on
Alumni Connections
The Alumni Connections Committee focuses on
Philanthropy and Community Partnerships
The Philanthropy and Community Partnerships Committee focuses on
Triton Giving Day
Every spring, the UC San Diego community comes together for a 24-hour fundraising campaign in support of our students, the arts, athletics and so much more.
You can join the MAE community in supporting the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Excellence and Innovation Fund.
Contact
Interest Form
Submit our interest form to connect with the MAE Board. Whether you want to volunteer your ideas, time or expertise, we welcome the support of our community.
Contact Us and Additional Resources
Questions? You can reach us at jacobsalumni@ucsd.edu. For additional information and resources, visit the Jacobs School of Engineering Alumni page at jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/alumni.
Alumni Awards
- Distinguished Alumnus
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- Outstanding Alumnus
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- Alumni Award for Impact
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