2025-26 Outstanding Junior Engineers
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Kristen Dobson
Civil Engineering
Certificate: Intermediate Spanish
Campus Involvement:Â ASCE Timber Strong Financial Officer, SWE Member, Country Swing and Line Dancing Club Member
Work/Internship Experience: Structural Engineering Intern at Black Sheep Engineering Group
Hobbies:Â Skiing, paddleboarding, hiking, cooking, painting and crafts
Post-Graduation plans: Pursue a career in structural engineering with a focus on residential design and getting my PE.
Meridian, IDCertificate: Intermediate Spanish
Campus Involvement:Â ASCE Timber Strong Financial Officer, SWE Member, Country Swing and Line Dancing Club Member
Work/Internship Experience: Structural Engineering Intern at Black Sheep Engineering Group
Hobbies:Â Skiing, paddleboarding, hiking, cooking, painting and crafts
Post-Graduation plans: Pursue a career in structural engineering with a focus on residential design and getting my PE.
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JP Edwards
Civil Engineering
Campus Involvement:Â ASCE Sustainable Solutions Club (2+ yrs), CE 330 Teachers Assistant (Fall 25), College of Engineering / MSSC Student Ambassador (Fall 25 – present)
Work/Internship Experience: Lab Technician @ Allwest Testing and Engineering, excited to intern at Kimley-Horn over the summer, worked in the food industry at multiple establishments (don’t know if this is as relevant but included anyways),
Hobbies:Â Watching and playing tennis, outdoor activities, hanging out with friends, puzzles
Post-Graduation plans: I plan on working in the industry, moving to a new state, and gaining/revisiting hobbies that I did not have time for while in school.
Boise, IDCampus Involvement:Â ASCE Sustainable Solutions Club (2+ yrs), CE 330 Teachers Assistant (Fall 25), College of Engineering / MSSC Student Ambassador (Fall 25 – present)
Work/Internship Experience: Lab Technician @ Allwest Testing and Engineering, excited to intern at Kimley-Horn over the summer, worked in the food industry at multiple establishments (don’t know if this is as relevant but included anyways),
Hobbies:Â Watching and playing tennis, outdoor activities, hanging out with friends, puzzles
Post-Graduation plans: I plan on working in the industry, moving to a new state, and gaining/revisiting hobbies that I did not have time for while in school.
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Tristan Burnham
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Campus Involvement: Undergraduate researcher in the Applied Magnetics and Photonics Laboratory (AMPs); Energy for Society Teaching Assistant; IEEE member
Work/Internship Experience: Incoming ATE Process Engineer intern at Micron; Undergraduate researcher at Boise State University; Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) intern at Montana State University;
Hobbies: Music Production, Weightlifting, Hiking, and Camping
Post-Graduation plans: After graduation, I plan to work in the semiconductor industry, with long term interests in pursuing a masters degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Littleton, COCampus Involvement: Undergraduate researcher in the Applied Magnetics and Photonics Laboratory (AMPs); Energy for Society Teaching Assistant; IEEE member
Work/Internship Experience: Incoming ATE Process Engineer intern at Micron; Undergraduate researcher at Boise State University; Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) intern at Montana State University;
Hobbies: Music Production, Weightlifting, Hiking, and Camping
Post-Graduation plans: After graduation, I plan to work in the semiconductor industry, with long term interests in pursuing a masters degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
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Rafael Whynman
Electrical Engineering
Campus Involvement:I am a learning assistant for ENGR 100, where I assist faculty with grading. I am also the Chair of the IEEE student branch, where I organize projects, delegate responsibilities, and promote COEN professional development.
Work/Internship Experience:I serve as an undergraduate researcher at Boise State University and have previously worked as an undergraduate researcher at the University of Minnesota. I’ve worked across fabrication, simulation, and experimental characterization. I have performed metasurface modeling, Joule heating simulations, and basic fabrication work at the Idaho Microfabrication Laboratory.
Hobbies: Guitar, skateboarding, and basketball.
Post Grad Plans: I plan to pursue a PhD in Electrical Engineering, with a focus on device fabrication and advanced materials research. I hope to continue mentoring younger engineers w hile growing in an environment where I can make meaningful research impacts and continue learning. I am keeping my options open between Boise State and out-of-state programs that align well with my research interests.
Meridian, IDCampus Involvement:I am a learning assistant for ENGR 100, where I assist faculty with grading. I am also the Chair of the IEEE student branch, where I organize projects, delegate responsibilities, and promote COEN professional development.
Work/Internship Experience:I serve as an undergraduate researcher at Boise State University and have previously worked as an undergraduate researcher at the University of Minnesota. I’ve worked across fabrication, simulation, and experimental characterization. I have performed metasurface modeling, Joule heating simulations, and basic fabrication work at the Idaho Microfabrication Laboratory.
Hobbies: Guitar, skateboarding, and basketball.
Post Grad Plans: I plan to pursue a PhD in Electrical Engineering, with a focus on device fabrication and advanced materials research. I hope to continue mentoring younger engineers w hile growing in an environment where I can make meaningful research impacts and continue learning. I am keeping my options open between Boise State and out-of-state programs that align well with my research interests.
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Rachel Lester
Engineering PLUS with an emphasis in Mechanical Engineering
Campus Involvement: NASA Microgravity VIP Research Team (Officer), Mechanical Engineering Club, Honors College (Peer Mentor), CRU, and Intramural Sports (Volleyball, Pickleball)
Hobbies: Tennis, volleyball, painting, reading, spending time with friends and family, and being outdoors!
Post-Graduation Plans: Pursue a career in the aerospace industry, focusing on spacecraft or aviation design and manufacturing.
Powell Butte, OregonCampus Involvement: NASA Microgravity VIP Research Team (Officer), Mechanical Engineering Club, Honors College (Peer Mentor), CRU, and Intramural Sports (Volleyball, Pickleball)
Hobbies: Tennis, volleyball, painting, reading, spending time with friends and family, and being outdoors!
Post-Graduation Plans: Pursue a career in the aerospace industry, focusing on spacecraft or aviation design and manufacturing.
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Brenna Patterson
Engineering Plus with minors in Materials Science, Environmental Science, and Applied Mathematics
Campus Involvement:Â Active member of Phi Sigma Rho Sorority
Work/Internship Experience: Previously worked as a pool manager, currently work as a lifeguard at the BSU rec center
Hobbies:Â camping, hiking, reading
Post-Graduation plans: Find a job doing environmental engineering for a company
Pocatello, IDCampus Involvement:Â Active member of Phi Sigma Rho Sorority
Work/Internship Experience: Previously worked as a pool manager, currently work as a lifeguard at the BSU rec center
Hobbies:Â camping, hiking, reading
Post-Graduation plans: Find a job doing environmental engineering for a company
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Yvette Russell
Materials Science and Engineering
Campus Involvement: Student researcher in the Atomic Thin Films Laboratory; participant in engineering and manufacturing workshops including Make Idaho – An Advanced Manufacturing Workshop (Next Gen Materials)
Work/Internship Experience: Student researcher in the Atomic Films Lab since August 2025, where I have developed a strong working knowledge of thin-film deposition and characterization processes through observation, data review, and technical discussion. I am scheduled to begin as a Process Engineer Intern at Micron in May 2026 and will continue part-time through December 2026. In addition, I bring several years of professional experience at Albertsons.
Hobbies: Building and solving puzzles of all types, baking and cake decorating, and spending time with my family.
Post-Graduation Plans:Pursue a full-time engineering role in the semiconductor industry, with a focus on process engineering and advanced materials.
Boise, IDCampus Involvement: Student researcher in the Atomic Thin Films Laboratory; participant in engineering and manufacturing workshops including Make Idaho – An Advanced Manufacturing Workshop (Next Gen Materials)
Work/Internship Experience: Student researcher in the Atomic Films Lab since August 2025, where I have developed a strong working knowledge of thin-film deposition and characterization processes through observation, data review, and technical discussion. I am scheduled to begin as a Process Engineer Intern at Micron in May 2026 and will continue part-time through December 2026. In addition, I bring several years of professional experience at Albertsons.
Hobbies: Building and solving puzzles of all types, baking and cake decorating, and spending time with my family.
Post-Graduation Plans:Pursue a full-time engineering role in the semiconductor industry, with a focus on process engineering and advanced materials.
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Nathan Simons
Materials Science and Engineering
Campus Involvement: I am the president of the AI Club, where I lead weekly meetings about all things AI related to help students better prepare for their future.
Work/Internship Experience: I completed a summer internship in 2023 that focused on computational physics with silicon.
Hobbies: I enjoy learning about and using AI, from cloud models to local models, as well as thinking about broader societal and philosophical aspects of AI. I enjoy PC building and sometimes I play video games like the factory building game Satisfactory. I am a member of the Pioneer Toastmasters Club where I enjoy practicing and improving my public speaking skills.
Post-Graduation plans: I don’t have any concrete plans, but I would hope to get a job at Micron.
Santa Rosa, CACampus Involvement: I am the president of the AI Club, where I lead weekly meetings about all things AI related to help students better prepare for their future.
Work/Internship Experience: I completed a summer internship in 2023 that focused on computational physics with silicon.
Hobbies: I enjoy learning about and using AI, from cloud models to local models, as well as thinking about broader societal and philosophical aspects of AI. I enjoy PC building and sometimes I play video games like the factory building game Satisfactory. I am a member of the Pioneer Toastmasters Club where I enjoy practicing and improving my public speaking skills.
Post-Graduation plans: I don’t have any concrete plans, but I would hope to get a job at Micron.
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Caden Crites
Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Biomedical Engineering
Campus Involvement: Resident & Community Assistant in the Engineering and Innovation Living Learning Community, Undergraduate Researcher in the Computational Biosciences Lab, Â Boise State Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ), Campus Food Pantry Volunteering, Volleyball Intramurals, Honors College
Work/Internship Experience: Day Camp Counselor ad the YMCA, Community Assistant in the Engineering and Innovation Living Learning Community, Undergraduate Researcher in the Computational Biosciences Lab, Micron ATE Process Engineering Intern this summer
Hobbies: Weightlifting, Volleyball, Ping Pong, Backpacking, Skiing, Billiards, Piano, Bowling, Board Games
Post-Graduation plans: Get married summer after graduation. Hopefully have my Micron internship turn into a full time entry level position, If not, pursue a job in the Semiconductor, Renewable Energy, or Biomedical Engineering industries.
Boise, IDMinor: Biomedical Engineering
Campus Involvement: Resident & Community Assistant in the Engineering and Innovation Living Learning Community, Undergraduate Researcher in the Computational Biosciences Lab, Â Boise State Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ), Campus Food Pantry Volunteering, Volleyball Intramurals, Honors College
Work/Internship Experience: Day Camp Counselor ad the YMCA, Community Assistant in the Engineering and Innovation Living Learning Community, Undergraduate Researcher in the Computational Biosciences Lab, Micron ATE Process Engineering Intern this summer
Hobbies: Weightlifting, Volleyball, Ping Pong, Backpacking, Skiing, Billiards, Piano, Bowling, Board Games
Post-Graduation plans: Get married summer after graduation. Hopefully have my Micron internship turn into a full time entry level position, If not, pursue a job in the Semiconductor, Renewable Energy, or Biomedical Engineering industries.
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Taylor Hatch
Mechanical Engineering
Campus Involvement: SWE, Baja, MicroGravity Team, SAB
Work/Internship Experience: Work in the EIS, Research in the TTSE Lab, Manufacturing Engineering Intern for Lockheed Martin, upcoming Systems Engineering Intern at Lockheed Martin
Hobbies: Dirt Biking, Running, Reading, Attending sporting events
Post-Graduation plans: Pursue an industry career, hopefully in systems engineering, manufacturing engineering, or project management engineering at Lockheed Martin
Boise, IDCampus Involvement: SWE, Baja, MicroGravity Team, SAB
Work/Internship Experience: Work in the EIS, Research in the TTSE Lab, Manufacturing Engineering Intern for Lockheed Martin, upcoming Systems Engineering Intern at Lockheed Martin
Hobbies: Dirt Biking, Running, Reading, Attending sporting events
Post-Graduation plans: Pursue an industry career, hopefully in systems engineering, manufacturing engineering, or project management engineering at Lockheed Martin