FIU College of Engineering and Computing students have unique stories. They are relentless in pursuing big ideas that will lead to better lives, and have demonstrated that they are Worlds Ahead in innovation and creativity. Read on for stories of FIU engineering and computer science students who know this first-hand. Get inspired to create your own success story or join us to give students every opportunity to pursue their dreams and be the leaders of our community.
Student Success News
My internship at the FIU NASA MIRO CRE2DO Center
Name: Melissa Venedicto Hometown: Miami, Florida What is your major? My major is biomedical engineering, and I am pursing a minor in physics. Where did you intern? What was your role there? My internship was with the NASA MIRO CRE2DO Center at FIU, under the...
Biomedical engineering student wins first place at annual conference for Society of Women Engineers
At 7 years old, Allison Martinez pinched the legs of her grandmother, who was confined to a wheelchair, to see if she could get a reaction. Martinez’s grandmother had suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident. At an internet café in Honduras, “I [had] read about...
FIU student awarded 2020 Cadence Women in Technology Scholarship
Congratulations to Hasantha Malavipathirana, doctoral student at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), for being awarded the 2020 Cadence Women in Technology Scholarship. The Cadence Women in...
Worlds Ahead Graduates – Fall 2018
Cesar Villa-Garcia
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
At age 10, Cesar came to the U.S. from his native Peru, and taught himself how to code and design. By middle school, he was developing websites and creating computer graphics. After graduating from Miami Dade College, he took three years off to save money and help his family financially.
Melody Gonzalez
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
A single mother, Melody worked two jobs and paid for school with more than 10 scholarships, including national awards from the Society of Women Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers and a Google STEM Scholarship.
Md Asif Raihan
Degree: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering
Md Asif Raihan is guided by the words of Steve Jobs: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” It is what drove him to pursue his Ph.D. in civil engineering despite several challenges. He left his young sons behind in his native Bangladesh to pursue his dream. During his time at FIU, he worked day and night, despite several serious and persistent health issues.
Soheil Soleimanikutanaei
Degree: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Soheil was determined to come to the U.S. from his homeland, Iran. Arriving in a new country and not knowing anyone was difficult. After authoring more than 70 articles which have been cited over 2,600 times, he is receiving his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.