The College of Engineering & Computing proudly recognizes the outstanding graduates of Spring 2026, students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, research contributions and leadership throughout their time at FIU.
Outstanding Bachelor's Graduate Award Recipients
Biomedical Engineering — Lucas Menendez
Lucas has excelled at FIU with a 3.87 GPA and six consecutive Dean's List honors while conducting impactful cardiovascular research, presenting at national conferences, and contributing to multiple publications. Beyond the lab, he founded Healthy Hearts, grew it into a nonprofit and championed student research and advocacy through leadership roles across campus.
Civil and Environmental Engineering — Emilio Castellanos
Emilio Castellanos earned national recognition as one of ASCE's 2026 New Faces of Civil Engineering while fast-tracking his master's degree and passing the FE Exam before graduation. As ASCE chapter president and a future engineer at CHA Consulting, he led award-winning initiatives, secured major sponsorships and built a strong foundation for a career in resilient infrastructure.
Multidisciplinary Engineering and Computing Education, Systems and Management — Sandro Gonzalez Capo
Sandro Gonzalez Capo built his path from the ground up after arriving from Cuba in 2022, balancing full-time work with a perfect academic record and earning top honors along the way. Now headed to Wells Fargo after securing a highly competitive internship, he continues to give back by mentoring students navigating similar challenges.
Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences — Christopher Kverne
Christopher Kverne, a Computer Science student from Norway, is advancing quantum machine learning through published research, award-winning innovation and a nationally recognized undergraduate research distinction. Beyond the lab, he has mentored students, led campus initiatives and will continue his path at Columbia University this fall.
Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences — Ashley Prado
Ashley Prado, a dual-degree student in Computer Science and Data Science & AI, combines high-level industry experience and impactful research with a strong commitment to expanding access in tech. From building tools at Microsoft to leading initiatives that support immigrant and underserved communities, she uses technology to create opportunity at every level.
Moss School of Construction — Jesus Correa
Jesus Correa, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, brought discipline and leadership to his studies in Construction Management, earning consistent Dean's List honors while gaining hands-on industry experience. Now headed to Shawmut Design and Construction, he continues to build a career grounded in precision, accountability and real-world impact.
Electrical and Computer Engineering — Carlos Jerak Iglesias
Carlos Jerak Iglesias, a Venezuelan valedictorian with a 3.98 GPA, has balanced rigorous academics in a second language with impactful work in machine learning for heart disease prediction and AI safety. Through research, teaching and internships, he has combined technical skill with a clear mission to use technology to improve lives.
Mechanical & Materials Engineering — Valerie Thomas
Valerie Thomas, a Mechanical Engineering Honors student with a 4.0 GPA, combines technical precision with creativity to design solutions that bridge engineering, medicine, and education. Her leadership in interdisciplinary projects and hands-on CAD work reflects a strong focus on using engineering to improve learning and everyday life.
Outstanding Master's Graduate Award
Construction Management — Sarah Davis
Sarah Davis earned her M.S. in Construction Management with a 3.97 GPA while working on a U.S. Naval base in Guantanamo Bay, balancing rigorous academics with demanding real-world responsibilities. Now a Project Manager at Sodrel Construction, she brings strong technical expertise and operational leadership, consistently improving efficiency and systems wherever she works.
Outstanding Doctoral Graduate Award
Biomedical Engineering — Sophie Ashbrook
Sophie Ashbrook, a Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. graduate, is advancing research into vascular calcification — a major but currently untreatable driver of heart disease — by studying how key cellular signals may be blocked or reversed. Through nationally competitive funding, published work, and drug-repurposing studies, her research is helping move toward potential future therapies for cardiovascular disease.