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2025 ASPIRES Internship Poster Slam at Berkeley Lab
(Photos: Top left – Zoheb Sharif; Bottom left – Sophia Bansil; Second row: top left – Jason Wilaysono, middle – Kirk Iliev, bottom – Nicholas Manha; Third row: top – Tiana Bishop, bottom – Sophia Bansil and Jonathan Frias; Fourth row: top – Raisa Guisado, second – Naidine Aguinaldo, third – Simryn Parikh, fourth – Inderpal Singh)
This week, 11 outstanding CSU East Bay students wrapped up the 2025 ASPIRES (Advancing Stem Pioneers in Research In Energy Sciences) Internship at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory with an amazing Poster Slam, presenting the research and projects they’ve worked on all summer.
As part of the ASPIRES program, these undergraduate scholars spent the summer engaging in hands-on research, mentorship, and professional development experiences at one of the nation’s premier research institutions.
They:
• Conducted research alongside Berkeley Lab scientists and mentors
• Presented their work at the culminating ASPIRES Poster Slam
• Gained valuable experience in a national laboratory setting
• Built community with fellow STEM scholars from across the East Bay
Special shoutout to Naidine Aguinaldo, who earned 1st place in the Poster Slam for her exceptional presentation and research communication!
Meet the 2025 ASPIRES Cohort:
Tiana Bishop
Jason Wilaysono
Zoheb Sharif
Kirk Iliev
Naidine Aguinaldo
Raisa Guisado
Inderpal Singh
Jonathan Frias
Sophia Bansil
Simryn Parikh
Nicholas Manha
Programs like ASPIRES play a critical role in creating equitable access to high-impact STEM experiences. We’re incredibly proud of our students for representing CSU East Bay and the College of Science with amazing professionalism and curiosity.
Guest Experts from Stanford and Google Inspire CS Students with Real-World Insights
(Photos: Left – Tem Ysmael, Hoover Institution at Stanford; Right – Khalil Estell, Google, with students from Ahmed Banafa's CS classes)
Computer Science students in Ahmed Banafa’s CS classes enjoyed presentations with guest lecturers working professionally. Tem Ysmael from the Hoover Institution, Stanford University gave an inspiring and informative presentation. He covered many important topics, including cybersecurity, IT, AI, and the challenges organizations face in staying secure. The students were fully engaged, captivated by his ability to explain complex concepts with clarity and a positive attitude. The moment Khalil Estell, Google, walks into class, it's a game-changing moment for the students.He recently presented in two CS classes, covering essential topics like C++, operating systems, technical interview tips, interview do’s and don’ts, and the latest in OS technologies. His insights sparked so many questions that students stayed after class just to keep the conversation going.
Alumni Spotlight_ Michelle Wong, B.S. Mathematics and Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Michelle Wong completed her BS in Mathematics at CSUEB (Hayward at the time!) in 1998. She had had a passion for working with kids since high school. Starting as a Liberal Studies major thinking she would work with younger children, she continued to seek out opportunities to explore teaching different ages and in different settings. She found herself helping at a STEM Camp in Oakland led by Professor Charlie Harper (Emeritus in Physics). The experience opened her eyes to the joy and challenge of working with high school students in city public schools, and she was hooked. She wrote about her experience at that science camp when applying to single subject teaching credential programs and was accepted everywhere she applied (go Michelle!) and chose Stanford for her credential program. After completing her credential + Masters in Education, she taught at a charter school (actually was one of the founders!) but decided to return to her first passion and took a position teaching math at Irvington High School in Fremont. She ended up teaching math AND dance – talk about versatility!
After 17 years serving in a range of roles, building her leadership and knowledge and creating programs that supported students and teachers, she moved to a position with the Fremont Unified School District main office and returned to CSUEB to begin study for a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership with a focus on Social Justice. She ultimately moved to the Alameda County Office of Education while also working on her dissertation, “Teachers Using Data to Build Assets and Transform Practice Toward Equity.” Her current position is Program Director for Entry Pathways for Mathematics and Computer Science. Her journey is one of growth, passion and creativity. We are proud to have Michelle as a double alumnus!