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
BME graduate student earns well-deserved grant
Sana Nasim recalls meeting Nancy Cavalie at FIU biomedical engineering’s first annual Miami Heart Day Symposium. Little did she know that a short conversation with Miami Heart Research Institute’s Executive Director would steer her last few years as a Ph.D. student in...
Students create water purification startup
How do you get your water? You probably have a water fountain nearby and the tap at home or even a water bottle in your hands right now. Now, imagine having to walk many miles carrying gallons of water out of sheer necessity? Unfortunately, for some impoverished...
My internship as a software engineer at Microsoft
Name: Octavio Avila-Cardet Hometown: Guantanamo, Cuba What is your major? Computer science Where did you intern? What did you do there? I interned for Microsoft as a software engineer. I worked in the core services department where internal tools and software that...
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.