SATURDAY, MAY 14
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES AND ARTS
SUNDAY, MAY 15
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES
UC MERCED ALMA MATER “MY MERCED”
In the soil a dream was planted In the rich earth, just a seed The ground was tilled so tenderly To cultivate – the best in me
And the seed grew to a garden As far as I can see She welcomed me with open arms That gave life to my dreams
Her lantern’s light Shines so bright For the world to see
My Merced, UC Merced My Merced… From a seed
CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE Dear UC Merced Graduate: It is with great pleasure that I congratulate you on your well-earned place in the biggest celebration this or any other university observes — its annual commencement. This year’s graduation is UC Merced’s eleventh commencement ceremony. This day is the university’s tribute to you, our way of recognizing that you have joined the community of scholars who for more than a century have earned their degrees from the University of California. Some of you came to UC Merced as first-year students; others arrived as transfer students or graduate students. By way of this commencement ceremony, you now are ready to embark on the next milestone into your professional and personal life. By individual paths you have achieved a major goal. You are, now and for all the years to come, one of ours — a graduate of UC Merced. Congratulations on your achievements, on work well done. Fiat Lux,
Dorothy Leland Chancellor
PROGRAM | Saturday, May 14 School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts PROCESSIONAL MUSIC
“Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar
ACADEMIC PROCESSION
Candidates, Faculty, Senior Administration and Honored Guests
NATIONAL ANTHEM
“The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key Performed by Rhondalee Quito Randle, Class of 2016
WELCOME REMARKS
THOMAS W. PETERSON, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS
DOROTHY LELAND, Chancellor
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
MICHAEL P. HUERTA, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration
STUDENT REMARKS
DomoniQue demetria jones, Class of 2016
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES
THOMAS W. PETERSON, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
AND CONFERRAL OF DEGREES
DOROTHY LELAND, Chancellor
Graduate Division
MARJORIE S. ZATZ, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate Division
School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
JILL ROBBINS, Dean
ALUMNI REMARKS
KEITH ELLIS, Class of 2012
ALma mater
“My Merced” by Jimmy Dunne Performed by JONIE MARIE SUZUKI, Class of 2014
CLOSING REMARKS
THOMAS W. PETERSON, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
RECESSIONAL MUSIC
“Sine Nomine” by Ralph Vaughan Williams
KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Saturday, May 14 MICHAEL P. HUERTA, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration
Michael P. Huerta is the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. He was sworn-in to office on January 7, 2013 for a five year term. Huerta is responsible for the safety and efficiency of the largest aerospace system in the world. He oversees a nearly $16 billion dollar budget, more than 47,000 employees and is focused on ensuring the agency and its employees are the best prepared and trained professionals to meet the growing demands and requirements of the industry. Huerta also oversees the FAA’s multi-billion dollar NextGen air traffic control modernization program as the United States shifts from ground-based radar to state-of-the-art satellite technology. Huerta was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the FAA’s Deputy Administrator on June 23, 2010. On January 1, 2013 the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed President Barack Obama’s nomination of Huerta for a five-year term as FAA Administrator. Huerta is an experienced transportation official who has held key positions across the country. His reputation for managing complex transportation challenges led him to the international stage when Huerta was tapped as a managing director of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The Olympics drew 2,400 athletes from 78 countries to Salt Lake City. Huerta was critical in the planning and construction of a variety of Olympic transportation facilities, as well as the development of a highly successful travel demand management system that insured the transportation system operated safely and efficiently. Before joining the FAA, Huerta held senior positions at Affiliated Computer Services from 2002 to 2009 rising to the position of president of the Transportation Solutions Group. Huerta was commissioner of New York City’s Department of Ports, International Trade and Commerce from 1986 to 89. He then served as the executive director of the Port of San Francisco from 1989 to 1993. From 1993 to 98, he held senior positions in the U.S. Transportation Department in Washington, D.C., serving under Secretary Federico Pena and Secretary Rodney E. Slater. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Riverside, and a master’s in public affairs with a concentration in international relations from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.
Class of 2016 | Saturday, May 14 Candidates for doctoral Kaitlyn Tessa Provins Smith Political Science degree from the School Master of Arts of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts CANDIDATES FOR Drew Hamilton Abney baccalaureate DEGREE Cognitive and Information Sciences FROM THE SCHOOL OF Doctor of Philosophy SOCIAL SCIENCES, Nikko S. Da Paz HUMANITIES AND ARTS Psychological Sciences Doctor of Philosophy
Bryan Elvis Kerster
Layla Hammuda Abidia Neekole Ashley Acorda
Cognitive and Information Sciences Marco Antonio Acosta Doctor of Philosophy
Sydney Michelle Loewen Psychological Sciences Doctor of Philosophy
Ebisindei Nicole Adegbe Denisse Valeria Aguilar Joselynn Aguilar
Martha P. Blanco Crystal Breanna Board Natasha Bojorquez Aurea Sofia Bolanos Perea Aurora Brambila-Hernandez Jaron Ervin Brandon Savanna Grace Briggs * Jasmine Brooks John Robert Brunolli Fatima C. Calmet Diana Lizbet Calvillo Diego Giovanni Capistran Jessica Crystal Cardoza
Alexandra Erin Paxton
Cognitive and Information Sciences Martin Aguilera Doctor of Philosophy
Jesus Aguilar-Hernandez
Sierra Lucile Carl
William Benjamin St. Clair
Wendy Citlali Alcala-Quinonez
Emmanuel Carrillo
Cognitive and Information Sciences Aloura C. Alcantar *** Doctor of Philosophy
Bodo Winter
Melitsa Alcaraz- Guzman Bryan Yeltsin Alfaro
Cognitive and Information Sciences Doctor of Philosophy Mariana Concepcion Alvarenga
Candidates for master’s Degree from the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts Nicholas Bourgeois
William Shaw Amsbary III Anne Bernice Andaya Joshua Jamel Anderson Mason Lee Anderson *
IGP World Cultures Master of Arts
Diana Angulo
Kathryn Patricia Daniels
Adan Arroyo *
Sociology Master of Arts
Josue Alejandro Franco Political Science Master of Arts
Ashley Noel Metzger
Nazarena Arguello Jocelyn Arteaga Vanessa Alondra Artiaga Saitt A. Arvizo Bianca Vanesa Avila
Sociology Master of Arts
Marilyn Paola Aviles
Maria De Jesus Mora
Maria De La Luz Ayala Rodriguez
Sociology Master of Arts
Catherine Portillo-Silva IGP World Cultures Master of Arts
Erin Elizabeth Ray IGP World Cultures Master of Arts
Blanca Imelda Ayala Daisy Jannet Ayon Vallarta Gabriela Baca Selene G. Banuelos Angelica Jimenez Barragan Ramon Barragan Chanel Bastou
Alejandro Carrillo Jr. Tatiana Castaneda Victor Ivan Castro Saira Melissa Cazares Maria Ceja Val Elijah Cervantes Lily Chan Tierra Moshaye Chatman Fabiola Chavez Lorely Aimee Chavez Martin Chavez Justin Chen Jin Young Choi Anna L. Christopherson *** Eric Guo Chu *** Jordan Marie Conneely Kenja Katherine Corbisiero Jeffrey Ryan Cornelius Ambar Olga Corona Jessica Coronel Jessica Julia Cortes Maria Eduviges Cruz Nicholas Angelo Cruz Gloria Stephany Cruz Avalos
Class of 2016 | Saturday, May 14 Rafael Alejandro Cuadra
Gerardo Matthew Garcia
Elia Sarahi Hernandez-Mendoza
Camille Cummings
Jessica Viviana Garcia
Kimberly Guadalupe Herrador
Christopher Robert Dahill *
Juliana Angelica Garcia
Omar Herrera Velazquez
Brian Scott Gerald Dallas-Orr
Leslie Garcia
Sean Michael Hodgdon
Katrina Dalmaceda
Sandra Magaly Garcia
Kennedy Amira Holmes
Sasha Tiffany Datta
Sarai Garcia
Kelsey Raeann Hoover
Lizette De La Rosa
Xavier Gabriel Garcia
Demetria Dur’Rae Howard
Nathaly Jackeline De Leon
Joseph Fuseng Garvin
Vivian Heather Huynh
Sejal Nilesh Desai
Marlen Gaytan
Nicole Kirsten Hvid
Sarina Natalie Desousa
Kyla Lanecia Gilmore
Serene Shih-Yun Hwang
Heriberto Diaz
Marissa Ann Giovannoni
Citklali Isamar Ibarra
Joseph Anthony Diaz
Kimberly Odalis Giron
Cynthia Adriana Ibarra
Samantha Rose D’Morias
Matthew Allen Goldberg
Alyscia N. Icardo **
Amy Abhay Doshi
Carlos David Gomez
Ozair Ilyas
John Richard Dovales Flores Jr.
Maria Guadalupe Gomez *
Danielle Jeniece Irving
Evan Richard Doyel
Monica Gomez
Brittany Briana Jackson
Brenton Kelly Dunshee
Jose Guadalupe Gonzalez **
Sergio Ray Jacquez
Esmeralda Echevarria Flores
Nayeli Veronica Gonzalez
Sukhdip K. Jagrop Singh **
Markus Ellis
Yazmin Granados
Adriana Jara
Denise Ashley Escarcega
Mihali Lawangika Gunasekara
Alondra Jimenez
Luis Enrique Espinoza
Cassandra Gutierrez
Jessica Jimenez
Jasmine Renee Eubanks
Eliana Paola Gutierre
Valeria Jimenez
Rudiel Justo Fabian-Sanchez
Natallie Alexandria Gutierrez
Cherelle Nicole Johnson
Sidy Lamine Fall
Yazmin Guadalupe Gutierrez
Alexandria Elizabeth Johnston
Kimberly Ann Ferguson
Daevee Cecilia Hall *
David Lydell Jones Jr.
Alejandra Isabel Ferreyra
Avita Hang
Domonique Demetria Jones
Joseph Alden Field
Kristina Beverly Haran
Tristan Christopher Jones
Naya Melissa Figueroa
Alexander John Harden
Dong Sun Kang
Paul Daniel Flannery
Alexander Ian Harrington
Linden Olivia Kemper
Berenice Sarai Flores
Mary Elizabeth Haviar
Hannah Jinki Kim
Rocio Flores
Damini Hirendra Heera
Suraj Savji Kumbhani
Sandra Flores-Mota
Janet Her
Sonya Pravinchandra Lal
Joanna-Rose Rosete Fontecha
Kou Her
Edwin Lao
Domonique C. Franco **
Linda Her
Brenda Magaly Lara
Karina Michelle Frayre
Sergei Kiem Herbert
Irais Guadalupe Leal Dorame
Emmanuel Garai-Esquivel
Diana Hernandez
Chanlua Kouei Lee
Brenda Celina Garcia *
Natalie Arellano Hernandez
Jefferson Lee
Cecilia Garcia **
Yvette Hernandez
June Lee
Chelsey Tiana Garcia
Daniel Hernandez Loyola
Nick W. Lee *
Class of 2016 | Saturday, May 14 Yakop Lee
Imani Alexandria Mauzon
Amarpreet Singh Pannu
Zimeng Liao
Stephen Lee Maxey
Komal Naresh Patel
Yinja Lin
Desiree Nicole Mc Clain *
Sweta Mayank Patel
Jonathan Litxayaleuth
Stephen Roy Mccarthy Sr.
Pin H. Liu
John Steven Mclafferty
Sologne Angelique Victoria Patterson
Scott Andrew Livesay *
Elizabeth Medina
Daisy Pelayo Figueroa
Erik Lopez
Jennifer Azucena Mejia
Brendan Nathan Pelletier
Fanny Itzel Lopez
Adyam Tesfai Mekonnen
Anselma Manibog Perey
Sonya Yvonne Lopez * Yanely Lopez
Siomara Aida Melchor Martinez Eduardo Perez Tomas Sebastian Perez Noemi Melgoza
Maricela Lopez-Santiago
Yaneli Mendoza
Maykel Manuel Pernia
Justin K. Lor
Sandra Mendoza - Ortiz
Huong Quynh Phan
Stephanie Goua La Lor
Brandon Andrew Middlecamp
Jennifer Pineda
Raymond Louie
Evette Dajio Montes
Kian Alexander Pirooz
Joshua Luke Lourence **
Hayley Elizabeth Montoya
Andrea Plata
Alexxis Louro ***
Pierre Alejandro Mora
Dennise Porfirio
Anna Evelyn Lovelace
Sergio Alejandro Mora
Jocelyn Dennise Portillo
Ashley Nicole Lucas
Stephanie Kimberly Mora
Kenneth Daniel Puno
Samai Lugo
Lluleydi Moreno
Natalia Angelica Quiniola
Tania Jazmin Lugo-Lopez
Natalie Kristin Moreno
Jessica Sonia Ramirez
Karla Adriana Luna
Iman Mosleh ***
Andrea Ramirez-Hinojosa
Rosa Isabel Macias **
George Michael Mosqueda
Rhondalee Quito Randle
Courtney Kimiko Maeda
Jesus Eduardo Munoz
Jacob R. Ransdell *
Jessica Ashlynne Marino *
Karen Munoz
Marc Christian Regis
Ann Marie Marks
Raymond Kazuto Nagano
Rocio Elizabeth Reveles
Emma Laren Maron
Alexandria Angel Navarro
Vanessa Reyes
Charles Anthony Martin
Beverly Norma Naves
Kimberly Melissa Reyes-Leon
Earlecia Annette Martin Ana Patricia Martinez
Bianca Michelle Lindsay Negrete Maritza Robles Monica Rocha Rodriguez Ricky Ng
Brianna Rayleen Martinez
Jacquelynn T. Nguyen
Brenda Rodarte
Cecilia Martinez
Jennifer Nkechi Obidigbo
Hallef Franca Rodrigues
Daniela Martinez
Dennison Ramirez Ocampo
Gabrielle Sierra Rodriguez
Evedicia Martinez
Xiomara Guadalupe Orantes
Jennifer Guadalupe Rodriguez *
Kimberly Martinez
Breanne Rose Orey **
Luis E. Rodriguez
Maritza Martinez *
Carolina Elizabeth Ortega
Victor Adrean Rodriguez
Mayra Evelyn Martinez
Anthony Joseph Orti
Brenda Stephanie Rojas
Joshua James Mason *
Samantha S. Oshiro
Viviana Janet Rojas
Amanda Lee Kiana Masterson
Makayla Allausandra Owens
Felipe Rojas-Flores
Elizabeth Matamoros *
Navjit Kaur Pamma **
Carolina Valeria Romero Iliana Diane Rosales
Class of 2016 | Saturday, May 14 Leticia Rosas Vera
Marcus Antonio Tay
Federico Soria Anaya
Drew Kendrick Ruiz
Crystal P. Thao
Princess Margar Aniceto
Elisa Ruiz-Gutierrez
Amelia Gaochoua Thaoxaochay
Isaias Rumayor III
Zachary Steven Tiller
Shanika Mae Macaldo Arboleda *
Molly Briann Rye
Jamille Angela Tiu *
Brian Arriola
Jose Raul Saavedra Jr.
Gabriela Toscano
David Andrew Ascencio
Chia Orn Saechao
Tommy Vu Tran
Malaysia Caralina Avery
Liliana Salas
John William Tresidder ***
Estefani Andrea Avila
Brenda Leticia Salazar *
Jecenia Veronica Trinidad
Maria Teresa Ayala
Silvia M. Salgado
Vi Thi Thuy Truong
Jose Alberto Balsells Jr.
Teresa L. Salters *
Jazmin A. Turner *
Paolina Beltran
Sara Lynn Salzer
Samantha Valadez
Bradley Marcus BertuccioSean
Simrendeep Kaur Samra
Jaslyn Arai Valencia
Brian Bourguignon
Monica Anitza Sanchez
Bao Vang
Muktesh Mitesh Bulsara
Viviana Abigail Sanchez
Stacey Zoua Vang
Joshua Ezra Cabero
Lucero Guadalupe Sanchez Mendez
Aymee Alexandra Varela
Kristina Bernadeth Cadiz
Sabina Ann Vargas
Montserrat Nahomi Camarena
Stephanie Sanchez-Anaya
Micneisha A. Vaughn
Alexis Canas
Martha Santoyo
Arianna Bonita Vazquez
Andrea Ocampo Cao *
Manivone Kai Sayasone ***
Yesenia M. Vega
Stephanie Michelle Cervantes
Sarah Austin Schrole
Joanna Christina Venegas
Jennifer Chang
Grant Alexander Sears
Neibi Karina Villa *
Robert St. John Chappelle
Matthew Bryan Sellers
Maribel Felicidad Villarreal **
Robin Chen
Maxwell Carl Shapiro
Juana Guadalupe Villicana
Daniel Jacob Chou
Yesenia Elizabeth Sierra
Jahmeel Kejon Walker
Frank Fong Yi Chou *
Racquel Maria Silva
Iris Lum Wen
Alexander William Corkran
Seth Christopher Silva ***
Orion J. Will **
Judith Rodil Cueno
Patrick Bill Simon
Mckenzie Leeann Willett
Rafael Delgado
Ryan Randall Skidgel **
Erika Marie Wilson
Joanna Diaz Juarez *
Daveon Lafayette Smith
Gabriel Austin Winford
Marissa Ann Dorfler
Shelby Denise Smith
Catherine Lanett Witcher
Michelle Echeverria
Roxanne Soto De La Toba
Leng Yang
Ryan Jackson Edwards
Anwar J. Stetson
Marium Yusufzie
Genesis Socorro Espinoza
Hopraya Shalon Stidom
Lucia C. Zamora
Diamond Unique Fairley
Anyssa D’more Strauss
Esmeralda Guadalupe Zuniga
Rachel J. Fang
Katelyn Jenifer Strickland
Melissa Alvarado
Jared Miller Felton
Stephanie Gabriel Tabatchnick
Aaron Ferreira Alves
Manuel Jesus Galvan
Marissa Gabriela Tafolla
Crystal Marie Amaral ***
Santiago Garcia
Brianne April Tate
Iris Ayuki Anastacio Olivo
Maria Teresa Gasca
Camella Rose Taylor
Daniela Andrea Gavilan
Class of 2016 | Saturday, May 14 Jacob Maese Gonzales
Maya Martinez
Emily June Sim
Juan Pedro Gonzalez
Salvador M. Martinez
Nathan Charles Singh
Osvaldo Gonzalez
Luis Eduardo Martinez-Stucchi
Vechetra Emily Soch
Luis Fernando Gonzalez Haro **
Ryan Piers McCallum
Carmina Jasmine Solorio *
Zachary Ryan McGann
Victoria Ann Stahlman
Alexander Terison Gregory
Aimee Sarah Stewart
Jordan Andrew Griggs
Dilesha Denerra McWashington
Mireille Sophie Gutierrez
Arturo Mendez
Derrick Tam
Ashanti Kahirah Hasan
Mercedes Mendoza
Charles Nhia Thao
Kiarash L. Haseli
Preet Mohar
Amanda Mieko Tomas
Raymond K. Her
Terima Nagatani
Duyen Phuong Tran
Britney Crystal Hernandez
Maria de Lourdes Ochoa
Walker Jonathan Ular
Shelby Nicole Howard
Alexander Yaerang Oh *
Jose Manuel Ulloa
Ivan Huerta
Vanessa Michelle Ordaz
Leticia Valdez
Jonathan Thomas Huie
Kimberly Darlene Ortiz
Helen K. Lam
Shari Michelle Pandy
Ashley Ann Cangco Valencerina
Kenneth Lee
Pooja R. Patel
Anyela Valle Mariscal *
Jeffrey Leung
Michael Pierick
Maria Valle Mariscal *
Luis Leonardo Leyva
Adolfo Gonzalo Ramirez
Nhoua Vang *
Ziliang Li
Paul Vang
Yuan-Fu Lo
Jennifer De La Asuncion Ramirez
Andrew Rafael Lopez *
Carolina Jacobo Reyes
Luke K. Wilson *
Bianca Lopez
Monica Anne Robertson
Kristen Elizabeth Wong
Hugo Alberto Lopez Chavolla *
Dallas Shane Rutter
Karina Peralta Yap
Gabriela Rios Macedo
Jose Israel Salgado Lara Luz Stephanie Sandoval Manjarrez
Cecilia Jeanette Ybarra **
Imelda Marin Jessica Isabel Marin Theodore Kenneth Marquez Whitney Taylor Marshall Emmeline Martinez
Emily Michelle Schoenfeld Rey Alberto Sequeira Moises Silva Quintero
Shelby Chulack Takenouchi
Jose Alfredo Vargas
Manuel Yepez Evelin Paola Zavala Carmen Zeng * Andrew Zhang
Commencement is the time when the academic community, along with family and friends, comes together to celebrate the achievements of our students. Inclusion in this program and participation in the commencement ceremony does not necessarily signify completion of the degree. Academic Honors (Highest Honors, High Honors and Honors), if achieved, and degrees (B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S. and Ph.D.) are not awarded until after the term in which all requirements are completed. To receive honors at graduation, an undergraduate student must achieve a grade point average within the top 2 percent of the student’s school for highest honors, the next 4 percent for high honors, and the next 10 percent for honors. *** Highest Honors ** High Honors * Honors
PROGRAM | Sunday, May 15 School of Engineering and School of Natural Sciences PROCESSIONAL MUSIC
“Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar
ACADEMIC PROCESSION
Candidates, Faculty, Senior Administration and Honored Guests
NATIONAL ANTHEM
“The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key Performed by ruth foketi, Class of 2016
WELCOME REMARKS
THOMAS W. PETERSON, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS
DOROTHY LELAND, Chancellor
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Diosdado p. banatao,
Partner, Tallwood Venture Capital
STUDENT REMARKS
laura janelle showalter, Class of 2016
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES
THOMAS W. PETERSON, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
AND CONFERRAL OF DEGREES
DOROTHY LELAND, Chancellor
Graduate Division
MARJORIE S. ZATZ, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate Division
School of Engineering
MARK matsumoto, Dean
School of Natural Sciences
Juan C. Meza, Dean
ALUMNI REMARKS
KEITH ELLIS, Class of 2012
ALma mater
“My Merced” by Jimmy Dunne Performed by JONIE MARIE SUZUKI, Class of 2014
CLOSING REMARKS
THOMAS W. PETERSON, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
RECESSIONAL MUSIC
“Sine Nomine” by Ralph Vaughan Williams
KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Sunday, May 15 Diosdado p. banatao Partner, Tallwood Venture Capital
Dado Banatao is the managing partner of Tallwood Venture Capital, which invests in semiconductor technology solutions for computing, communication and consumer platforms. Prior to forming Tallwood, Banatao was a venture partner at the Mayfield Fund. He cofounded three technology startups: S3, Chips & Technologies, and Mostron. He also held positions in engineering and management at National Semiconductor, Seeq Technologies, Intersil and Commodore International. Banatao pioneered the chip set and graphics acceleration architecture that can be found in every PC today. As an engineer, he is credited with developing several key semiconductor technologies and is regarded as a Silicon Valley visionary. Banatao serves as board chairman of Ikanos Communications Inc., a leading provider of advanced broadband semiconductor and software products, and Inphi Corporation, a leading provider of high-speed, mixed-signal semiconductor solutions for the communications, data center and computing markets. He serves on the board of directors of Wave Semiconductor. He served as board chairman at SiRF Technology (acquired by CSR), Marvell Technology Group, Acclaim Communications (acquired by Level One), Newport Communications (acquired by Broadcom), Cyras Systems (acquired by Ciena), Stream Machine (acquired by Cirrus Logic) and Wilocity (acquired by Qualcomm). Banatao serves as chairman of UC Berkeley’s College of Engineering Advisory Board and is a member of the Chancellor’s Executive Advisory Council. Banatao and his wife, Maria, are passionate about giving back to the Philippines. They funded a fellowship grant for computer science and engineering faculty from the University of the Philippines to collaborate with professors at UC Berkeley. Through the Asian Pacific Fund, they have provided scholarships to assist California high school students of Filipino heritage in pursuing a college education in science and engineering, a field which Filipinos are currently underrepresented. Banatao is also chairman of PhilDev, a public charity group that bridges U.S.-based Filipino individuals and communities and Philippine-based social development institutions. Banatao holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Mapua Institute of Technology in the Philippines and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University.
Class of 2016 | Sunday, May 15 Candidates for doctoral Jorge Andres Morande Environmental Systems degree from the School Master of Science of ENGINEERING Diganta D. Adhikari
Michael R. Pickard
Environmental Systems Doctor of Philosophy
Environmental Systems Master of Science
Yu Cheng
Himanshu Pillai
IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Doctor of Philosophy
IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Master of Science
Hongyu Gao
Zhengxian Qu
IGP Mechanical Engineering Doctor of Philosophy
IGP Mechanical Engineering Master of Science
Chuanjin Lan
Abdur Rafay
IGP Mechanical Engineering Doctor of Philosophy
Sarah Elizabeth Martin Environmental Systems Doctor of Philosophy
Sylvain Masclin
Environmental Systems Doctor of Philosophy
Yousef Naranjani
IGP Mechanical Engineering Doctor of Philosophy
Kennedy Dai Nguyen
IGP Biological Engineering and Small-scale Technologies Doctor of Philosophy
Philip Charles Saksa
Environmental Systems Doctor of Philosophy
Yousef Sardahi
IGP Mechanical Engineering Doctor of Philosophy
Zhijiang Ye
Marcus Nathaniel Chow ** Justine Chuang Moses Chun * Devon Riley Claiche Zachary Alexander Cothren Cody Martin Crossley * Agustin Melchor Cru
Juan Carlos De Simon
Luke Elijah Daniels ***
IGP Mechanical Engineering Master of Science
Sukhraj Singh Dhillo
Candidates for baccalaureate DEGREE FROM the School of ENGINEERING
Sean Thomas Dulkie
Alfredo Avery Aguilera *
Elissa Espinoza
Uchechi Olive Akabogu
Ethan Cord Fann
Garret Allison *
Jennifer Hana Fleek
Alannah Aurora Catherine Alvarez
Isaac John Flores
Andreas Tilman Anderson ** Forrest Martin Angle Alwin Antony Jaspal Singh Atwal *
Joshua Schuyler Belford
IGP Mechanical Engineering Master of Science
Alexander Benjamin Chi
Brendan Smith
Candidates for MASTER’S degree from the School of ENGINEERING
Michelle Len
Colin Chen
Christian Cuevas
Gobind Singh Ball*
IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Master of Science
Stephen Quang Fi Chan
IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Master of Science
IGP Mechanical Engineering Doctor of Philosophy
Niloufar Piroozi Esfahani
Ranjit Singh Chahal
Kevin Austin Bauer Craig Patrick Berger Benjamin H. Bocanegra Kian Dell Bradley Rodolfo Torres Bravo *
Francisco Xavier Diaz Ahmed Omar Elabed * Natalia Celeste Espinosa
Jerick Fuentes Jinnabelle Garce Jose Garcia Ethan Takeshi Gates Matthew Ryan Gehring * Armin Ghavim Emile Roland-Roger Goguely Jessica Ann Gray *** Jannice Marnae Green Angel De Jesus Guizar Jean-Pierre Gutierrez
Griffith Alexander Brown
Marco Antonio Gutierrez-Nicolino
Lam Phuong Bui *
Layne Justin Hazam
Nicholas Garrett Busse
Hanlin He *
Alberto Baez Carranza
Sandra Hernandez
Ashley Brianna Cato
Derek R. Hollenbeck **
Class of 2016 | Sunday, May 15 Jason Yishoon Huang *
George Obidike Olumba Jr.
Mai Yee Vang
Fabian Iniguez
Wesley Benjamin Osorio
Jesse Lee Vick
Stephanie Diane Jauregui
Ian Dranoel Evangelista Pajarin
Lillian Pham Vu
Ashley C. Johnson
Vraj Sunil Parikh
Markus Emani Walker
Sagir Bipin Kadiwala
Thomas Ivaylov Peev *
Rebecca Susanne Wallen
Jeffrey Aaron Kirkpatrick
Juan Carlos Pena Moreno
Yi Wang
Kavita Kumar
Carlos Andres Perez
Paul Chih-Chieh Wen
Doyoon Lee
Luis Alejandro Perez
Timothy Edward Williams
Jordan James Lee
Huong Phan
Jonathan David Wong
Jeffrey Kai-Fu Leung
Sovanarry Phy
June Wu
Erik James Levine
Rohith Pradeep
Joseph Yi
Nathaniel Robert Lewis
Marisol Prado
Michelle Zhou
Alexander Zhan Tu Li
Ava Marie Pridgeon
Kalvin Loc Julio Steve Lopez
Emmanuel Tangarorang Quimada II
Bryan Dominic Ludden
Connor Mikael Rainen
Steven-Joe Mejia Macaraeg
Karen Ramirez
Jonathon Ryan Madueno
Cesar Ramos
Patrick Bigalbal Magat
Jose Luis Razon Reyna
Oswald Federico Marcelo
Dulce Isabel Rios *
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Andrew Samuel Martinez
Joan Erica Costales Rodrigo
Dana Burow
Edwin Martinez
Keith Saechao
Kevin R. Martinez
Amarjit Singh Sahota
Andrea Mascareno
Samendeep Samra
Michael P. McBride
Max Ming Shui
Vinke Yumul Menardo
Anisa Destiney Silva
Jim Mendez Lopez
Luis Adrian Silva
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Brent Justin Messino
Andy Sithong
Ke Gong
Miguel Montanez
Shelby Anne Skelton ***
Matthew R. Moran
Eric Alberto Sosa
James Wha Moua
Junhee Suh
Andrew Patrick Duffy Murphy
Joel Avi Sumner
Isabella Rae Nelson
Senam E. Tamakloe
Ben Dang-Viet Nguyen **
Landon Michael Taylor *
Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Jonny Nam Nguyen **
Eyob Yohannes Tefera
Xiao Li
Morgan Nguyen
Thomas Christopher Tyrant Thayer
Nicholas Duy-Quang Nguyen Chukwudubem E. Nweke Ian Alexander Ojeda-Vasquez
Quang Kim Tran Daniel D. Truong Chueyee Vang
Candidates for doctoral degree from the School of natural sciences Gary Robert Abel Jr.
Chemistry and Chemical Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Yuriana Aguilar
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Cyprian Czarnocki
Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Liza Edith G贸mez Daglio
Chemistry and Chemical Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Larry Johnson
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Bong Soo Kang
Chemistry and Chemical Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Bridget Martinez
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Class of 2016 | Sunday, May 15 Holly Frances Swift
Robby Buenfil
Samantha Judi-Mari Gaerlan
Catherine Kim Bui
Marie Ann Gage
Nicholas James Bush *
Mayra Garcia
Eleanor May Busito
Hawi B. Gemeda **
Zachary Aaron Calabrese
Jose Anthony Godinez
Mariah Ava Campana
Alejandra Gomez
Timothy Dinh Cao
Ascencion Gomez Jr.
Cameron Douglas Carlisle *** Fernando Castaneda Jr.
Jeremias Mitchell Garrett Gonzalez ***
Joshua Mariano Cazares
Jonathan Alexander Gonzalez
Jeffrey Qi-Ren Chan *
Natalia Gonzalez
Janell Chang
Cheyenne Serena Goodspeed
Linda Chang
Skarleth Nataly Granados
Pierce Edward Chang *
David Joseph Gray
Tanya Chen
Elvira Guerrero Paniagua
Alexis Javier Chen Xu
Raquel Guevara
Mun Jong Choi
Monica Guillen
Muhammad Waqas Choudhery **
Sarai Raquel Guillen
Andrew Minsoo Chun
Alejandra Guzman
Raquel Lorena Alvarez
Giovanni Arcadio Cisneros - Gomez
Fana Habte
Judith Lauren Anderson
Gabriel Cruz
Leonard James Apontti *
Julia Ha
Eduardo Cruz Aragon
Delia L. Araujo
Harjot Singh Hayer
Dylan Lee Dahlquist
Alan Ardalan
Jenna Aubrie Heckel
Alice Janet Mamerga De Leon
Andres Alberto Arellano
Cindy Annel Hernandez
William Brent Table Decastro
Clara Rose Atchinson
Namy Herr
Bernardo Delgado
Harpreet Singh Atwal
William Andrew Herrera
Miran A. Dezoysa
Jeffrey Idemne Ayco *
Amanda Kayla Hidalgo
Oley Drammeh
Yassamin N. Azadani
Melissa Ann How
Alex Ray Dyer
Natalie Nichole Azevedo *
Asia Alexandra Howard
Rodney Michael Encinas Jr.
Jamila Fatima Bajwa
Jennifer Huang
Oliver Neil Marquez Esteves
Michael Edward Baldwin
Brandon Michael Huber
Gabriella Diana Faria **
Natalia George Barghouth
James Hyungjoon Jang
Adam Tyler Fishburn *
Judith Bayardo-Guzman *
Barbara Graciela Javier
Ruth Foketi
Brittany Rose Beechinor
Blanca Belen Jimenez
Mary Elizabeth Friedman
Katelynne Marie Bettencourt
Alyssa Faye Jones
Iris Fung
Elizabeth Fischer Blakely
Christopher Ryan Jorgensen
Jennifer Fung
Aaron Robert Bremner
Amanpreet Kaur
Lawrence Jun Fung
Jaskanwaljeet Kaur
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Ye Zhu
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Candidates for master’s degree from the School of natural sciences Sarah S. Abboud
Quantitative and Systems Biology Master of Science
Candidates for baccalaureate DEGREE FROM the School of natural sciences Evelyn Mayte Aguilar Rimsha Ahmed Sherese Ashley Albino Maria Guadalupe Alindajao Jacobo Alexander Almanza Alan Jonathan Alonso
Desiree Roses Gunn
Derek Austin Hamilton
Class of 2016 | Sunday, May 15 Manjot Kaur
Chris Dennis Nayotl
Tiana Cai Robertson Sr.
Rajwant Kaur
Shacole Renee Nelson
Elizabeth Rose Rogers
James E. Keener
Alvin Baotu Nguyen
Victoria Alexzandria Rouse *
Arianna Luiza Khaira
Anne ThuAnh Nguyen
Stephanie L. Ruiz *
Zafir Ahmed Khan
Julie Marie Nguyen
Jared Paladin Ruscoe
Yasmin Nicole Khodayari
Salvador Ruvalcaba Sandoval
Hashmat John Khorsand *
Kimberly Ngoc Oanh Nguyen ***
Magegan Khorsand
Nicholas Billy Noukhay
Lucas W. Shen
Tiana Noelle Kiriaki
Ryan John Ocano
Alexandra Miyabi Setsuki Shoji
Darren Henry Kwan
Leticia Gabriela Oceguera
Laura Janelle Showalter ***
Isabel Ailinn Lawrence *
Uche Obinna Ogbunamiri
Vikram Jeet Singh
Carisza Marie Lenaburg
Chinemerem Robert Okereke
Ann-Marie Cangco Soto
Stephanie Lira
Justin Dolendo Omaque
William Benjamin St. Clair
Celso Lopez
Bernice Nkechinyere Onuoha
Alexis Vanessa Stephens
Virginia Yoandra Lopez
Samantha Daniela Ozeran
Hitomi Sugimoto
Maribel Lopez Rodriguez
Monica Parra
Matthew Robert Sutton
Briana Marie Luna
Krina Patel
Jason Tabor
Alvin Loreno Lym
Araceli Perez
Lyndia Tan
Tahsena Mahen
Kimberly Perez
Nicholas Andrew Taylor
Frances Emille Garcia Malaca
Monika Samantha Pizano
Scott Thomas Taylor Jr.
Bryan Joseph Maldonado
Kayla Rene Polman
Kathrine Kinue Teresi
Ramon Martinez
Kiana Pourhashemi
Sang Sue Thao
Guadalupe Martinez Chavez
Alejandra Preciado
Natalia Marissa Thomas
Jourdan Alexis Mason
Tyler Young Rackelmann
Vannida Chhor Tom
Rebecca David Massil
Hilda G. Ramirez
Christine Nguyet Tong
Kenneth Paul Mata **
Monique Lee Randall
Manvinder S. Toor
Navneet Kaur Mattu
Bryan Alvarez Rangel
Thu Tran Tran
Isaac Daniel Mendez
Frances Marjorie Echiverri Revives
Andreina Trujillo
Jennifer Mendoza Rocio Jamileth Monge Genevieve Nicole Mullins ** Moazum Mohsin Munawer
Emory Lourdhs Reyes Vera L. Reyes Espinoza Marissa Rachel Rhoades ** Mikaela J. Rico *
Reuel Macaspac Sapida *
Jaime Pauline Uhl * Lauren Eva Uhl Reed Julian Urmann * Ryan Anthony Valencia
Class of 2016 | Sunday, May 15 Joanna Alvarez Valenzuela *
Nessa F. Wirario
Ryan Daniel Van Damme *
Jeremy Zhe-Min Wong
Kacee Mai Der Vang
Ryan Wong **
Akash Vani
Patrick Michael Woodbury
Anthony Trinidad Ver
Jillian Myo Thiri Lin Yang
Aaron Villalpando
Brian David Young
Kinnaly Emily Vongsa
Devon Ryan Zerbe *
Jazmin Angelique White *
Ashley Yetong Zhan
Matthew Clifford Wilson **
Mina Zhang
Commencement is the time when the academic community, along with family and friends, comes together to celebrate the achievements of our students. Inclusion in this program and participation in the commencement ceremony does not necessarily signify completion of the degree. Academic Honors (Highest Honors, High Honors and Honors), if achieved, and degrees (B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S. and Ph.D.) are not awarded until after the term in which all requirements are completed. To receive honors at graduation, an undergraduate student must achieve a grade point average within the top 2 percent of the student’s school for highest honors, the next 4 percent for high honors, and the next 10 percent for honors. *** Highest Honors ** High Honors * Honors
AWARD RECIPIENTS | Class of 2016 Carol Tomlinson-Keasey Award DESIREE NICOLE MC CLAIN Selected from among the finalists of the Legacy Award, the Carol Tomlinson-Keasey Award is the highest leadership award given to a graduating student who has pioneered new opportunities for those who follow.
Legacy Award THU TRAN TRAN ZHIJIANG YE The Legacy Award honors graduating students whose influence, ideals and activities have left a lasting positive impression on the institution and raised the standard of excellence for future generations of students.
Distinguished Leadership Award DOMONIQUE DEMETRIA JONES ERIC GUO CHU The Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills through his or her service to the university.
Social Justice Leadership Award SAVANNA GRACE BRIGGS The Social Justice Leadership Award recognizes a student who has advocated for equity and inclusivity while positively impacting the UC Merced campus and surrounding community.
NIH MARC Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) Scholar ALEJANDRA PRECIADO JOSHUA MARIANO CAZARES The NIH MARC U-STAR is awarded to honors students majoring in biomedical or behavioral sciences who have expressed interest in pursuing postgraduate education leading to the Ph.D., M.D.-Ph.D., or other combined professional degree-Ph.D. in these fields upon completing their baccalaureate degree.
GRADUATE DIVISION Faculty Mentor Program Fellowship NIKKO S. DA PAZ, Doctor of Philosophy, Psychological Sciences
Fletcher Jones Fellowship YURIANA AGUILAR, Doctor of Philosophy, Quantitative and Systems Biology
Graduate Dean’s Dissertation Fellowship Gary Robert Abel Jr., Doctor of Philosophy, Chemistry and Chemical Biology DANA BUROW, Doctor of Philosophy, Quantitative and Systems Biology YU CHENG, Doctor of Philosophy, IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science HONGYU GAO, Doctor of Philosophy, IGP Mechanical Engineering LIZA EDITH GÓMEZ DAGLIO, Doctor of Philosophy, Quantitative and Systems Biology KE GONG, Doctor of Philosophy, Chemistry and Chemical Biology ALEXANDRA ERIN PAXTON, Doctor of Philosophy, Cognitive and Information Sciences BODO WINTER, Doctor of Philosophy, Cognitive and Information Sciences ZHIJIANG YE, Doctor of Philosophy, IGP Mechanical Engineering
AWARD RECIPIENTS | Class of 2016 Miguel Velez Scholarship YURIANA AGUILAR, Doctor of Philosophy, Quantitative and Systems Biology
President’s Dissertation Year Fellowship HOLLY FRANCES SWIFT, Doctor of Philosophy, Quantitative and Systems Biology
OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS School of Engineering GOBIND SINGH BALL, B.S., Computer Science and Engineering MARCUS NATHANIEL CHOW, B.S., Computer Science and Engineering MOSES CHUN, B.S., Materials Science and Engineering JESSICA ANN GRAY, B.S., Mechanical Engineering HANLIN HE, B.S., Computer Science and Engineering DEREK R. HOLLENBECK B.S., Mechanical Engineering THOMAS IVAYLOV PEEV, B.S., Materials Science and Engineering SHELBY ANNE SKELTON, B.S., Mechanical Engineering
School of Natural Sciences LEONARD JAMES APONTTI, B.S., Chemical Sciences emphasis in Materials Chemistry and B.S., Biological Sciences emphasis in Molecular and Cell Biology NATALIE NICHOLE AZEVEDO, B.S., Applied Mathematical Sciences emphasis in Computational Biology JUDITH BAYARDO-GUZMAN, B.S., Biological Sciences emphasis in Human Biology emphasis NICHOLAS JAMES BUSH, B.S., Applied Mathematical Sciences emphasis in Computer Science CAMERON DOUGLAS CARLISLE, B.S., Biological Sciences emphasis in Molecular and Cell Biology ADAM TYLER FISHBURN, B.S., Biological Sciences emphasis in Microbiology and Immunology JEREMIAS MITCHELL GARRETT GONZALEZ, B.S., Physics JENNA AUBRIE HECKEL B.S., Biological Sciences emphasis in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology ISABEL AILINN LAWRENCE, B.S., Earth System Science GENEVIEVE NICOLE MULLINS, B.S., Biological Sciences emphasis in Microbiology and Immunology KIMBERLY NGOC OANH NGUYEN, B.S., Chemical Sciences emphasis in Materials Chemistry ARACELI PEREZ, B.S., Biological Sciences emphasis in Human Biology REUEL MACASPAC SAPIDA, B.S., Applied Mathematical Sciences emphasis in Computer Science LAURA JANELLE SHOWALTER. B.S., Chemical Sciences emphasis in Chemistry and B.S., Management RYAN DANIEL VAN DAMME, B.S., Chemical Sciences emphasis in Biological Chemistry MATTHEW CLIFFORD WILSON, B.S., Physics emphasis in Mathematical Physics
School of Social Sciences, Humanities And Arts ERIC GUO CHU, B.A., Economics and B.A., Management BREANNE ROSE OREY, B.A., Psychology HUGO ALBERTO LOPEZ CHAVOLLA, B.A., Management and B.A., Spanish
ACADEMIC SENATE AWARDS | 2015 – 2016 As we celebrate our graduates’ achievements, the UC Merced Academic Senate also congratulates the 2015-2016 Senate Award winners. Each year, the senate recognizes distinguished faculty who achieve excellence and bring distinction to the university through research, teaching and service.
Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching by a Non-Senate Lecturer DEBRA CONTE, School of Natural Sciences To encourage and recognize the outstanding work and contributions of non-Senate lecturers in teaching undergraduates at UC Merced.
Award for Distinguished Graduate Teaching and Mentoring ASHLIE MARTINI, School of Engineering To encourage and recognize individual excellence in teaching at the graduate level and mentorship of graduate students.
Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching by a Senate Faculty Member PO-YA ABEL CHUANG, School of Engineering To encourage and recognize individual excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level.
Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentorship TEENIE MATLOCK, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts To encourage and recognize individual excellence in faculty mentorship.
Award for Distinguished Early Career Research CLARISSA NOBILE, School of Natural Sciences To encourage and recognize individuals for research and/or other creative activities that have had a major impact on the field, either through a sustained record of contributions or through a specific, highly influential contribution.
Award for Distinction in Research LINDA CAMERON, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts ANDY LIWANG, School of Natural Sciences To encourage and recognize individuals for research and/or other creative activities that have had a major impact on the field, either through a sustained record of contributions or through a specific, highly influential contribution.
Award for Distinguished Scholarly Public Service PAUL BROWN, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts To recognize a faculty member who has energetically and creatively applied his or her professional expertise and scholarship to benefit the local, regional, national, or international community.
UC Merced’s Environmental Leadership The University of California, Merced, is committed to becoming a showpiece of environmental leadership by demonstrating smart, sensible and creative actions that promote the vision of sustainability. The university’s commitment to sustainability extends to all aspects of campus life – including commencement. Sustainable commencement practices include selling caps and gowns made from made of recycled water bottles, using stage decor that can be reused every year, using FSC certified paper for all printed materials, publishing information on the Web, and collecting and sorting all waste for composting and recycling. The campus is extremely water-conscious, taking steps to reduce water use everywhere possible. One example is the weather-based irrigation controller implemented last spring to maximize irrigation efficiency. We invite you to support our efforts to minimize waste and have as little impact on the planet as possible during commencement by properly disposing of your used water bottles or print materials in one of the many recycling bins in the South Bowl.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Class Gift Since UC Merced’s inception, each graduating class has carried on the tradition of giving a gift to the University, leaving a legacy for future Bobcats to come.
The UC Merced Class of 2016 has chosen to provide additional support to the UC Merced Community Garden — aiding in the relocation to a more prominent space on campus. The Community Garden aims to support the University of California’s Global Food Initiative — harnessing systemwide resources to address issues of food security, health and sustainability.
Be a part of the tradition by supporting the 2016 Class Gift online at giving.ucmerced.edu/classgift2016.
Let The Journey Continue‌ Today, UC Merced is proud to welcome the 11th graduating class into the UC Merced Alumni Association — expanding to over 6,000 members. With 7 regional chapters, annual events and the establishment of new traditions, the UC Merced Alumni Association serves as a conduit for alumni to maintain a lifelong relationship with the University. UC Merced alumni are valued members of the university community and important advocates who contribute to the campus through their leadership, public service and philanthropic support. Alumni continue to make an impact on campus and in their respective communities, aiding in the advancement of the university’s mission. For more information about the privileges of belonging to the UC Merced Alumni Association, how to get involved and how to give back, visit alumni.ucmerced.edu.
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PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER May | 2016