STEM Student Success Stories
In STEM, a question can become a research project, a scholarship, a transfer opportunity or a career with real-world impact. The Citrus College students and alumni featured here pursued science, technology, engineering and mathematics through laboratory work, field study, technical training and innovation. Mentorship, hands-on experience and campus support helped them strengthen their skills, lead others and carry their ideas into universities, industry and service.
CELINE AMA
Computer science gives Celine Ama the tools to innovate, while architecture shows her how ideas become useful structures. Named a Cooke Scholarship semifinalist, she is preparing to transfer and pursue technology that improves lives.
CECILIA DORIA
Biotechnology prepared Cecilia Doria to think critically, work precisely and keep learning. Now a microscopist at Oak Crest Institute of Science, she uses those skills in the laboratory and helps extend scientific opportunity through local STEM outreach.
EMILY CORREIA-LAMBTON
After years teaching science in New York, Emily Correia-Lambton returned to college to pursue forestry and environmental fieldwork. Citrus College helped her rebuild confidence, earn multiple credentials and begin new careers in field biology and teaching.
QUANGNHAN "Q" DUONG
Roblox proved Quangnhan "Q" Duong could build a successful digital world; NASA JPL showed him where those abilities could lead next. The Citrus College honors graduate now brings game development, engineering and bold business ambition to UC Berkeley.
VICTOR DUONG
A Citrus College Biomanufacturing certificate launched Victor Duong into pharmaceutical work at Takeda, where he advanced from contractor to full-time employee. He later completed a biotechnology degree while supporting upstream work and contamination control.
EDGAR ESPARZA
A childhood surrounded by forests in Mexico shaped Edgar Esparza's future. At Citrus College, that love of nature became a passion for forestry, leading to a college degree and a new chapter in forest restoration at Cal Poly Humboldt.
SIDNEY ESPARZA
A childhood spent watching wildlife programs eventually pointed Sidney Esparza toward forestry. At Citrus College, internships, TRIO STEM, Pathways to STEM and a 3.93 GPA helped her discover the confidence and direction to pursue life as a park ranger.
KAITLYN ESPINOZA
Career growth came step by step for Kaitlyn Espinoza: first Citrus College, then environmental monitoring at Grifols and now microbiology work at B. Braun. Along the way, biotechnology training helped her build skills that protect public health.
HAILEY GONZALEZ
One introductory course revealed the career Hailey Gonzalez had not known she was seeking. Citrus College Biotechnology training led to a manufacturing role where technical skill, careful documentation and personal purpose come together to support patients.
MIKAELA GUTIERREZ
Hands-on biotechnology training at Citrus College helped Mikaela Gutierrez launch a laboratory career that now supports water quality, regulatory compliance and public health for the Honolulu Board of Water Supply through testing, audits and oversight.
INTERDISCIPLINARY INNOVATORS
Fuel pressure, engine load and emissions data became hands-on lessons for Citrus College Automotive Technology and engineering students contributing to published research on cleaner, more stable hydrogen combustion.
FOUAD KARDOUS
From Gilead Sciences to Bimeda and now Eurofins, Fouad Kardous has continued building on the skills he gained in Citrus College's Biotechnology program. His next goal is licensure as a clinical histocompatibility scientist working in transplant medicine.
ELVIRA ELENA KATUS
Laboratory science became a rewarding career path for Elvira Elena Katus after she added specialized biotechnology training to her chemical engineering background. The Citrus College alumna now works with PCR testing, DNA sequencing and assay development.
RICCARDO KESSESSHAK
Riccardo Kessesshak combined honors study, biology coursework and campus leadership to build a standout transfer record. After founding a STEM club and earning multiple scholarships, he began studying human biology at USC with plans to become a doctor.
AUSTIN LANGHER
After a successful proposal and interview, Citrus College student Austin Langher was selected for Caltech's prestigious SURF program. Guided by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist Dr. Adrian Stoica, he will join top students in advanced research.
MATTHEW LEVITT
With support from Citrus College's STEM TRiO program and faculty mentors, alumnus Matthew Levitt pursued aerospace opportunities, transferred to Cal Poly Pomona and ultimately accepted a software engineering position with Lockheed Martin Space.
XINYUE "MARGARET" LIANG
Mathematics gave Xinyue "Margaret" Liang a framework for moving forward. At Citrus College, mentors, student organizations and STEM support helped her navigate a new culture, strengthen her confidence and earn a place at Columbia University in New York.
ANTHONY MARDOYAN
Two statewide awards affirmed Anthony Mardoyan's commitment to academics, service and leadership. After studying math and physics and leading Alpha Gamma Sigma, he is preparing for electrical engineering and advanced research in embedded systems technology.
JULIA MARTINEZ
Precision, persistence and purpose have shaped Julia Martinez's path. Biotechnology training at Citrus College prepared her for quality control work that benefits premature infants, and she later earned a biology degree while raising her children and working.
OMAR MASRI
Omar Masri built his Citrus College journey around inquiry, mentorship and hands-on science. Research across three institutions led to publication, while honors and STEM programs prepared him for UCLA chemistry and a career connecting evidence with justice.
T.A. MERIDIAN MCDONALD
Mathematics, academic support and persistence helped shape T.A. Meridian McDonald's journey from Citrus College to doctoral study and autism research, culminating in a published theoretical model examining BAPCO traits.
JOSHUA MCGINNIS
Drone research will take Citrus College student Joshua McGinnis beyond the classroom and into one of aerospace's fastest-growing fields. During a 10-week NSF program at Cal Poly Pomona, he will study UAV controls, artificial intelligence, collision avoidance and flight testing.
JAVIER MORELOS
After four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Javier Morelos found a familiar sense of brotherhood at Citrus College's Veterans Success Center. STEM support and campus involvement are now helping him prepare for transfer and a career in aerospace engineering.
NATHAN PALMER
Each Citrus College semester brought Nathan Palmer new inspiration, from performing with celebrated jazz artists to presenting biochemistry research. Those experiences earned him recognition and prepared him to pursue biomedical discovery next at UCLA.
RACHEL RIVAS
A member of Citrus College's first biotechnology cohort, Rachel Rivas has watched her early training grow into a demanding career. She now oversees quality systems and compliance for a global manufacturer of veterinary pharmaceuticals and medicines today.
ROCKET OWLS STUDENT EXPERIENCES
Through the former Rocket Owls program, Citrus College students built rockets, explored coding and engineering, supported STEM outreach and competed in NASA Student Launch while earning awards, internships, research experience and valuable technical skills.
STEM PAST PROGRAM STUDENT EXPERIENCES
Citrus College STEM students gained hands-on experience through past programs that connected them with field research, laboratory work, scientists, leadership development and transfer support while building confidence, skills and a stronger sense of community.
STEM STUDENT RESEARCH EXPERIENCES
Research takes many forms for Citrus College students and alumni, from laboratory and field investigations to engineering projects, scientific publications and presentations that build skills, deepen curiosity and create pathways to transfer and STEM careers.
CONOR ST. JOHN
Conor St. John entered Citrus College after seven years in the Marine Corps and quickly found a new mission in STEM. Through the Veterans Success Center and a NASA rover project, he built community, confidence and a clear path to electrical engineering.
KEVIN TAPIA
Kevin Tapia turned Citrus College Biomanufacturing training into a clinical manufacturing career at Gilead Sciences. Working with an upstream cell culture team, he helps formulate biologics that move through purification and into clinical trials worldwide.
BRIAN TONG
Brian Tong paired chemical engineering goals with a commitment to student voice and public impact. After leading ASCC and completing the honors program, he heads to UC Berkeley to study nanotechnology and pursue climate, digital and educational equity.
AURELIO VALLE
A Citrus College certificate gave Aurelio Valle more than a starting point. With biotechnology training and career preparation behind him, he entered biomanufacturing at Grifols and grew into a supervisory role supporting patients and technicians.
MATTHEW VINCIGUERRA
One of six students chosen from nearly 500 applicants, Matthew Vinciguerra earned a Comevo scholarship for his academic promise. Biology, honors study, club leadership and clinical experience now guide him toward UC Irvine and a career in neurology ahead.
YUXIANG "CHARLES" ZHU
Yuxiang "Charles" Zhu expanded beyond the classroom at Citrus College, launching an engineering club, serving in student government and excelling in STEM. At UCLA, he plans to develop robotics that support disaster response, food security and urban farming.