2025 Diversity in SE Scholarship Recipients

Emily Dahbura

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

As a first-generation college student, I’m passionate about pursuing structural engineering and contributing to creating safe, accessible, and lasting structures that define and connect our communities. Growing up in an immigrant family and navigating a complex cultural identity has fueled my passion for fostering belonging, both within the engineering field and in the communities we design for. This scholarship will provide invaluable financial support, allowing me to focus on my studies and career goals. With it, I’m excited to explore how structural engineering can serve diverse populations and ensure that the built environment is welcoming to all. I cannot express my thanks enough for this opportunity NCSEA has given me.

Sebastian Galicia

Georgia Institute of Technology

Sebastian Galicia recently earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering and is an incoming graduate student in the Structural/Earthquake Engineering and Mechanics program at the University of California, Los Angeles. As an undergraduate, he worked in a structural engineering research group focused on reducing the sociotechnical impacts of natural hazard events, combining domain knowledge with skills from computer science, statistics, and the social and geographic sciences. He also served as project manager for his school’s seismic design team and was an active member of ASCE and EERI-SEAOSC student chapters. In addition, Sebastian possesses industry experience from structural engineering internships at Walter P Moore and Arup, as well as an AI Design intern at Suffolk Construction. His long-term aspirations are to work at the intersection of structural engineering and data science, leveraging data-driven and computational-based approaches to enhance design practices and improve the resilience of the built environment. Receiving the NCSEA Foundation Scholarship would greatly support these goals by helping to make a graduate education in structural engineering financially feasible.

Geraldine Lynch

California State University

Geraldine Lynch is a senior civil engineering student at California State University, Chico, with a focus on structural engineering. Driven by a passion for learning, she has actively sought leadership and hands-on experience, including spearheading her university’s Concrete Canoe team for the 2025 Mid Pacific regional event through the ASCE Student chapter. In her role as Project Manager of the Concrete Canoe team and as former President of Chi Epsilon, Geraldine has developed both her technical expertise and leadership skills. Her journey has reinforced her interest in structural engineering, as well as her commitment to mentoring and supporting others in the field. Raised in a low-income household, Geraldine is deeply motivated by the desire to make a positive impact through engineering, with a focus on equity and sustainability. She will begin her Master’s in Structural Engineering at UC San Diego in Fall 2025 and looks forward to a career that combines technical excellence with meaningful contributions to the community.

Marissa Martinez

California State University, Northridge

Marissa is a structural engineering graduate student at California State University, Northridge. After earning her B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Irvine, she gained industry experience in multifamily construction and affordable housing. This work reinforced her passion for structural principles and applications, and deepened her commitment to serving communities through impact-driven projects that address sustainability challenges. This scholarship provides her with the resources to continue her growth in the structural engineering field, and her pursuit of becoming a licensed professional.

Joseph Barrios

San Francisco State University

I am a proud first-generation child of Guatemalan immigrants from Richmond, California. Early on, I became fascinated with Structural engineering, which I blame Legos for. I started with plastic bricks, but now I’m enrolled in the Civil Engineering Scholars program at San Francisco State University, a blended Bachelor’s and Master’s program in which I will fully transition into a Master’s in Structural Engineering. My goal is to design safer, more resilient buildings that serve and protect our communities. I am incredibly honored and grateful to be receiving this scholarship as it will ease the financial burden of higher education, allowing me to focus more fully on projects, academic excellence, and meaningful community impact as I pursue a career in Structural Engineering.

Khahn Doan

Oregon State University

I am Khanh Doan, yet more known to my friends and closed ones as Khan(h) Academy! I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona in May 2024, where I was introduced to the greatest community and opportunities for growth. Following graduation, I have been working and living in San Francisco at John A. Martin & Associates as a Structural Designer. In San Francisco, I have been having the biggest pleasures to meet the intelligent and inclusive faces of SEAONC, and I thank SEAONC for helping me grow not just as a young professional, but also as a young adult figuring out life! I am beyond excited to be attending Oregon State University to earn a Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering and Wood Science starting Fall of 2025 in the beautiful and scenic city of Corvallis! I’d describe myself as a bubbly, colorful, enthusiastic, dedicated, sentimental, and driven person, and I enjoy dancing, connecting with people on a deeper level, and making hand-crafted gifts as much as I enjoy doing structural calculations 🥰 SEA has been so close to my heart, as I have consistently been involved in SEA since I was an undergraduate. Receiving this 2025 SEAONC Diversity in Structural Engineering Scholarship means everything to me as an international student from Vietnam as it will help me be one step closer to my ambitions in graduate school, and it will open my network in the Structural Engineering industry, as well as in SEA MOs, as I will have the opportunity to attend the 2025 NCSEA Summit!

Abdul Kalonji

Howard University

I’m Abdulsalam Kalonji, a civil engineering student at Howard University and the SEA-MW scholarship significantly eases the financial burden of my education, allowing me to focus more on my studies and career development, without the constant stress of expenses. This financial support would help me stay on track with my academic goals, whilst also enabling me to invest more time and energy in a successful career.

Carlos Quezada

UC Berkeley

My name is Carlos Quezada, I’m a Civil Engineering undergraduate at UC Berkeley and an incoming Master’s student in Berkeley’s Structural Engineering, Mechanics & Materials program. After having experienced a devastating earthquake in my home country of El Salvador, I became deeply motivated to pursue a career in structural engineering to help build safer, more resilient communities able to withstand environmental adversity—especially in underserved regions of the world. At UC Berkeley, I’ve conducted research on concrete durability and protective technologies, as well as on risk assessment and structural vulnerability to environmental disasters. I also serve as President of Berkeley’s Tau Beta Pi, the national Engineering Honor Society, through which I founded UndocuSTEM—a program that connects undocumented community college students with engineering resources and mentorship at Cal.
Receiving the Martin/Martin Skyrise Scholarship through the NCSEA Foundation brings me one step closer to continuing my education and growing my impact in the field. This support lifts a real financial weight off my shoulders, and allows me to focus fully on developing the technical expertise and leadership I’ll need to make meaningful contributions to both the profession and the communities it serves.

Sara Rojas

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Sara Rojas is a structural engineer currently pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Born and raised in Colombia, she earned her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Florida, where she conducted research on low-slag concrete, engineering best practices, mentoring, and diversity in STEM. Sara is also the founder of BeSanta, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to supporting children experiencing poverty during the holiday season. She is passionate about fostering inclusivity in engineering and hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in the future to deepen her expertise in structural engineering, specifically in the behavior of ductile and brittle materials, while continuing her work on equity and representation in the field.
The NCSEA Diversity Scholarship is a pivotal step in achieving these goals. It will not only ease the financial burden of graduate school but also enable Sara to continue her research and advocacy for underrepresented students in STEM. With this support, she is committed to advancing both technical innovation and meaningful change in the engineering profession.

Mateo Casto Arias Luna

University of California, Berkeley

Mateo Arias Luna, a first-generation Mexican student raised in Watsonville, CA, is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Growing up in a working-class community surrounded by construction, he developed an appreciation for building design and its crucial role in shaping and supporting communities, which sparked his desire to become an engineer.
Mateo has been involved in Berkeley’s Construction Management and Steel Bridge Competition teams, where he has learned valuable skills such as project coordination and design software. Since 2021, he has interned at Willis Construction Co., where he works closely with project managers and professional engineers to gain hands-on experience with specialized engineered applications such as GFRC and architectural precast panels.
He is determined to earn a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering and obtain both his Professional/Structural Engineering licenses. His long-term goal is to design affordable, durable, and environmentally sustainable precast architectural wall systems. Mateo is also passionate about developing resilient structures capable of withstanding dynamic loading, aiming to help create safer, more reliable infrastructure.
In addition to his academic and professional experiences, Mateo serves as a mentor for Berkeley’s College of Engineering. Through his leadership, he supports incoming students in building community and successfully transitions into college life. As he continues his journey, Mateo looks forward to applying his skills and experiences to shape the future of structural engineering around the world.

Victoria Dure

Columbia University

Victoria Maidana is an international student from Paraguay studying Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structural Engineering and Construction Management. Her passion for the field stems from a lifelong love of construction and a strong desire to make a lasting impact on the built environment. While she initially pursued an interest in Construction Management, she discovered her enthusiasm for structural systems through coursework in Structural Design and Analysis, which sparked a deeper appreciation for how structures function and how engineering can shape communities.

Her professional development has been shaped by diverse hands-on experiences, which include great experiences in construction management work with The Vorea Group and structural engineering experience with CityScape Engineering, giving her a well-rounded perspective on both sides of the industry. Victoria is also an active member of ASCE, where she continues to engage with peers and professionals who inspire her growth as an engineer.

Aryanna Fontanez

University of California, Los Angeles

Aryanna graduated from the University of Connecticut with her Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and a minor in Environmental Engineering as a member of the honors program, Summa Cum Laude, and an Honors Scholar. Aryanna also had the honor of being the Student Speaker for Commencement for the UConn School of Engineering Class of 2023. Aryanna graduated from the University of California Los Angeles UCLA with her Master’s Degree in record time in one year. Aryanna is currently pursuing her Doctorate/PhD in Civil Engineering with the goal of becoming a professor. This scholarship will help Aryanna accomplish her goal of becoming a Civil Engineering Professor.

Bryan Lagunas

Virginia Tech

Bryan Lagunas is a third-year civil engineering student at Virginia Tech, specializing in structural engineering. A first-generation, low-income student of Salvadoran and Mexican heritage, he is committed to advancing the structural engineering industry while providing mentorship to underrepresented students. At Virginia Tech, Bryan serves on the Mentorship Committee of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers chapter and conducts undergraduate research on steel connection design. Being bilingual, he has also conducted undergraduate research on language barriers in the construction industry. Combining the unique experience of the 2011 Virginia earthquake and his genuine interest in exploring the most rigorous topics in his field, Bryan is driven to pursue a master’s and PhD exploring seismic analysis & design or connections.

Daniel Yahya

Auburn University

Currently pursuing his doctoral degree at Auburn University, Daniel is committed to advancing sustainable and resilient built environments by integrating engineering principles with artificial intelligence. His research focuses on how extreme wind events such as tornadoes and hurricanes impact low-rise buildings, applying machine learning and computer vision to improve understanding of structural performance and inform mitigation strategies. He aims to develop practical solutions that enhance building resilience and reduce the impacts of climate-related hazards. Daniel looks forward to continuing to bridge research and real-world application, contributing to safer, more resilient communities through engineering innovation.

Jesse Ekanaya

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Originally from Uganda, Jesse is currently completing his Master’s in Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), with a focus on Structural Engineering and a secondary emphasis in Artificial Intelligence. He previously served as Vice President of the UIUC SEAOI student chapter, where he expanded student engagement with the profession through events and partnerships with leading firms. He also maintains an active membership in Chi Epsilon Honors Society. This summer, he will intern at Magnusson Klemencic Associates in Seattle before returning for his final semester.
His academic and professional experiences have shaped a growing interest in sustainable design, particularly solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of the communities they are built for. The NCSEA Diversity scholarship supports his pursuit of integrating this perspective toward impactful practice.
Following graduation, Jesse intends to become a licensed structural engineer while building a foundation in technical experience. In the long term, his broader vision is to lead initiatives in contextually responsive design and vertical urbanism across East Africa.

Josh Kates

Colorado State University

I am a junior studying civil engineering at Colorado State University (CSU) with a strong passion for structural engineering. In addition to published research exploring the behavior of Ultra-High Preformance Concrete Beams with the U.S. Air Force Academy, I assist in physics research at CSU with the goal of improving the precision of atomic clocks. I am proudly a 2025 Goldwater Scholar, and in my free time I enjoy being a part of the thriving local music scene in Fort Collins; I play guitar and keyboard in an indie rock band called Heliotrope. The NCSEA Diversity Scholarship will allow me the time to engage in structural engineering research at CSU! It will also give me valuable networking opportunities to connect with students and professionals in the structural engineering field!

Seyed Sami Seyedjafar Kashi

University of California, Berkeley

Hi, I’m Sami Kashi, a third year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley. I’m passionate about structural engineering, especially learning from techniques like shinbashira used in ancient Japanese pagodas. It’s inspiring how traditional methods can still guide modern resilience. As a first generation college student, this scholarship means a lot. It’ll ease financial stress and help me focus on growing as an engineer. I’m truly grateful for the support.