Not only did Te’Aysa Bunton, O’Naysha Bunton, Daniel Duncko, William Lashley and Marissa Ortega complete bachelor’s degrees in biomedical engineering, they also earned praise for their UT Design capstone project, a device known as “Will Call,” which is a voice-activated alert system which does not require internet access. The five graduates were inspired by Dallas residents Bobalu and Will Kaiser, the latter of whom lives with quadriplegia after suffering a stroke.

A veteran who earned his degree in electrical engineering, Pedro Tinajero BS’24 said he was still deciding what the future would hold. Tinajero said he might pursue a master’s degree, but was also weighing multiple job offers. “I’m still deciding, but we’ll see how it goes,” he said.

One of several computer science graduates who worked in the Jonsson School’s Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications during the 2024 academic year, Jason Thanh Nguyen BS’24 intends to apply the skills he acquired through study as well as his work in the Jonsson School to further his career. “This experience taught me how to adapt my communication style to suit different roles and perspectives, ensuring that everyone was aligned toward a common goal,” Nguyen said. “This will be a valuable skillset that will be very helpful for me in my career after graduation.”

One of several computer science graduates who worked in the Jonsson School’s Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications during the 2024 academic year, Natnal Weldselase BS’24 took away more than just a degree. “One thing I learned … is that working with a group and maintaining clear communication leads to better results,” Weldselase said. “You can only learn from others when you are willing and open to learning from them.”

Anh Tu Do BS’24 doesn’t plan to stop learning now that he’s wrapped up his time in the classroom. “My ultimate goal is to use the knowledge I’ve gained to expand my expertise,” said Do, one of several computer science graduates who worked in the Jonsson School’s Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications during the 2024 academic year. “At the end of the day, what truly matters is not securing a good job but living a fulfilling life where you achieve your dreams and gain meaningful knowledge along the way.”

Krithika Shankar Iyer PhD’24 has wasted little time putting her degree — a Doctor of Philosophy in biomedical engineering — to use outside of academia. “I’m actually in the biotech industry already,” Iyer said, referring to her job as a Design Transfer Scientist on the Manufacturing Science and Technology team at Trailhead Biosystems in Cleveland, Ohio. Iyer, who is one of the first joint PhD graduates from UTD and UT Southwestern Medical Center, admitted the adjustment from the classroom to the boardroom brought “a lot of positives,” but she was grateful for her time at UTD: “Academia teaches you a lot of good analytic skills.”