Alumni Highlights

For Taylor Wong ’19 (CS), blending a career in cybersecurity with a passion for music isn’t a contradiction — it’s a calling. Now a senior product manager at Microsoft, working on the Customer Experience Engineering Team for Microsoft Threat Protection, Wong lives in Vancouver, Washington, and spends her days navigating complex technical landscapes. But when the workday ends, she steps into a different spotlight: one filled with microphones, melodies and meaning.

When Anthony Shao ’18 first considered his career path, health care was not at the top of his list. As a double-major electrical engineering and finance student, he spent a summer interning with a defense contractor, grateful for the opportunity but struck by a roommate’s blunt question: “Do you realize you’re working in an industry built to harm people?”

The Fall 2025 issue of the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering I3@USD magazine is out. The University of San Diego's mission is rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition — uniting knowledge, ethics and purpose — and this year’s issue captures what that means for our engineering and computing community.

For Zaki Alabdullah ’17 (BA), studying psychology at the University of San Diego laid the foundation for a career that blends research, creativity and storytelling. Now a professional filmmaker, Alabdullah continues to draw on psychological principles to shape authentic characters and narratives.

During her time at the University of San Diego, Jillian Salerno ’24 (BA)  discovered a clear sense of purpose at the intersection of psychology and healthcare. Volunteering at the hospital gave her early exposure to the realities of patient care, experiences she describes as helping her realize “how much I valued being in a helping role.” Additionally, active involvement in the Pre-Nursing Club connected her with peers and mentors who encouraged her to blend her interests. “Several of my psychology professors inspired me to think critically about the relationship between mental and physical health,” she says. These insights now guide her approach as a student in a master’s Entry Nursing Program, where her understanding of the mind–body connection informs the heart of her work.

During her time as a behavioral neuroscience major at the University of San Diego, Katie Eulau ’15 (BA) built the foundation for the research career she is pursuing today as a fifth-year PhD student in developmental psychology.

Join the Department of Sociology at the USD Fall Honors Research Colloquium on December 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to support sociology and political science major, Jennifer Torres Leon as she presents her senior research project, “Surveillance Technology and the Tracking of Immigrants,” guided by her thesis advisor, Associate Professor of Sociology Cid Martinez, PhD.

The Department of Sociology is proud to announce that Professor of Sociology Julia Cantzler, PhD, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025-26 US-UK Fulbright Commission and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Global Challenges Teaching Award.

Alumna Rebecca Schwartz Lesberg ‘21 (MS) was recently appointed as the executive director of Marin Conservation League (MCL), one of the region’s oldest and most respected environmental advocacy organizations . Founded in 1934 and referred to as Marin’s environmental guardian, MCL works to ensure that planning, policies and actions in Marin promote a healthy environment where people and nature thrive.  During her time at USD, Schwartz Lesberg’s master’s thesis research examined the historical ecology of sportfishing in San Diego Bay using daily ocean fishing reports from two Southern California newspapers from 1959-2011. “I was fascinated with historical ecology because it gives us insight into how people were using and engaging with ocean and coastal resources in cases where scientific data are limited,” she said. “We were able to see patterns in what species people were catching and catch per unit effort, and then compare those patterns to large scale oceanographic conditions like El Niño/Southern Oscillation, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, or sea surface temperatures.”  Her study found that while overall catch rates across species remained fairly consistent through time, individual species often declined or disappeared altogether in the catch report. These changes were often unexplained by environmental conditions. “It was evidence that something other than oceanographic variables - likely some human activity - was impacting the fish populations,” Schwartz Lesberg said. Her study noted that the impact probably wasn’t just coming from the recreational fishing itself, but from the myriad ways that people have degraded the coastal environment, through pollution, coastal development and the loss of wetland habitat, commercial fishing, and impacts from a changing climate. “My time at USD helped me realize how passionate I am about understanding the relationship between coastal communities and their natural resources, and working to minimize the harmful effects of people on natural systems,” Schwartz Lesberg said. “By studying a tightly coupled human-nature relationship like sportfishing, it also reminded me that people really are part of nature - we just need to remember how to be better stewards of these resources we depend on.” Since leaving USD, Ms. Schwartz Lesberg has become a seasoned conservationist - first working as the conservation program manager and later as director of conservation for San Diego Audubon Society (now called the San Diego Bird Alliance), before moving to northern California to serve as the San Francisco Bay Program Director for Audubon California . In addition to her new role at MCL, Rebecca currently serves as the board chair for the San Francisco Bay Migratory Bird Joint Venture and is the president/founder of Coastal Policy Solutions , a consulting firm that focuses on collaborative solutions for protecting California's natural resources for future generations.  Moving into the executive director role with Marin Conservation League has been a dream come true for Schwartz Lesberg. “Marin County faces impacts from climate change – including wildfires and sea level rise, damaging federal policies that threaten nature and communities, and the need to protect Marin’s rich environmental heritage in a complex urban landscape,” she stated. “Navigating the path forward will be complicated, and I am honored to help chart the way.”

Anahi Bustillos Salazar’s academic journey began with a fascination for the human mind and body—and a deep appreciation for community. A 2022 graduate of the University of San Diego, she earned her bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience with a minor in biomedical ethics. Today, she’s a fourth-year PhD student in neurobiology at the University of Chicago, studying the neural mechanisms of drug addiction.

On a spectacular Friday afternoon in the heart of the University of San Diego (USD), the Belanich Engineering Center was alight with the sights and sounds of student innovation as the 2025 Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering Showcase kicked off.

Seven University of San Diego students joined Associate Professor of Anthropology Jerome Hall, PhD, for a bicycle tour through several beach communities to visit spots important to the culture and history of surfing in San Diego. The tour was offered as an optional activity for Anth 364 Surf Culture and History and about half the class participated.

As part of the University of San Diego’s Anthropology 496: Research Experience course, five USD student researchers are exploring the impact of the university’s Living Learning Communities (LLCs). The LLCs are designed to provide students with a model of integrated, liberal arts education while fostering a sense of belonging and intellectual engagement early in their college careers. The research team’s goal is to better understand how first-year students interpret and navigate the LLCs, and how those experiences shape their broader engagement with USD’s academic and campus life.

University of San Diego alumnus, Jeff Kolodny '87 (BA), '89 (MFA), has built a successful career as a Hollywood talent agent, working in the entertainment industry for over three decades. His professional journey has taken him from the world of journalism to the top agencies in Hollywood, where he now specializes in casting actors for film and television.

Alumnus Justin Wasserman ‘97 (BA) recently shared his reflections on his time at the university, highlighting the profound impact it had on his personal and professional development. Wasserman graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology and minors in biology and chemistry. When asked about his overall experience at USD, Wasserman described it as "phenomenal." He elaborated, "It was where I learned how to learn, think, built lifelong friendships and discovered my career passion."

Alumnus Christopher Dishop ‘16 (BA), who majored in behavioral neuroscience, recently shared his insights and experiences at USD. Dishop, who has since built a successful career, highlighted the unique opportunities and supportive environment at USD that contributed to his professional achievements. 

Reese O'Driscoll, a political science major with a double minor in law and ethics and Spanish, has been awarded the prestigious Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Fellowship for the Junior Summer Institute (JSI) hosted by Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs. This fellowship is a significant achievement, recognizing O'Driscoll's dedication and potential in the field of political science.

In his recent interviews with USA Today and Newsweek , amid the most recent superbowl, Professor of Psychological Sciences Dr. Nadav Goldschmied, PhD, delves into the psychological factors that drive individuals to support underdogs in competitive scenarios. His research suggests that rooting for the underdog stems from a desire to see fairness prevail and to support those who face disadvantages. This inclination reflects a broader human tendency to empathize with and champion those perceived as less fortunate. Read both of the full articles in the links below to better understand Dr. Goldschmied's expert analysis.  Chiefs. Patriots. Yankees. Why do we always come to hate sports dynasties? Rooting for the Underdog? Psychologists Explain Why We Like the Little Guy

USD English alumna Katelynsam, '18 (BA), '21 (JD), read from her forthcoming novel during the event “Self-Publishing, Copyright and The Fated , Her Debut Fantasy Novel,” sponsored by the English Department and the Career Development Center. The Fated is due out in February 2025. Katelynsam will self-publish, combining her expertise as a writer, a former editorial intern at a San Diego literary agency, and a copyright lawyer for a famous literary brand. She has completed nine novels. Anyone interested in following Katelynsam’s journey as a writer or in applying to receive an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of "The Fated" in exchange for posting an honest review may find the ARC application form at her Linktree . You can also sign up to receive regular updates from Katelynsam’s blog.

Students and faculty from the Environmental and Ocean Sciences Department traveled to New Orleans, LA in February 2024 to attend the Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM). Attendees included faculty members Nathalie Reyns, PhD, Sarah Gray, PhD and Jennifer Prairie, PhD along with graduate student Lauren Goodell and undergraduate students Claudia Buckenmeyer, Beck Chrisbens, Emma Drozda, Omar Durrani, Hannah Fumar, Maddie Glenna, Julia Humphrey, Ellie Krekeler, Hannah Matcham, Sofia Morales and Katie Power.  OSM is the flagship conference for the ocean sciences and the larger ocean-connected community. The meeting is an opportunity for “building community between scientists, students, journalists, policymakers, educators and organizations who are working toward a world where global collaborations and partnerships can carry us into a sustainable future.” Eleven undergraduate students and one graduate student presented their research in the conference’s poster session. The poster session presentations gave students the opportunity to practice their oral presentation skills while networking with professionals and other students. The research presented was focused on a variety of student projects, including collaborations with University of San Diego faculty, ongoing research, research conducted during student study abroad programs and through Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs.  In addition to hearing talks about human impacts on marine ecosystems, ocean acidification, marine snow, microplastics, fisheries and climate change, students participated in workshops on developing networking, interviewing and communication skills and publishing their first paper. Students also had the opportunity to attend lunches with USD alumni at various stages of their careers, from graduate school to post-doc, to learn more about career pathways and graduate school opportunities. Conference support was provided by the Office of Undergraduate Research, Enhanced Student-Faculty Interaction fund award from the Office of the Vice Provost and an award from the Office of the Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences.