UC San Diego’s Class of 2025: Looking Back

Emily Ignatoff, B.S. in marine biology

As she finishes her undergraduate degree, Emily Ignatoff looks forward to continuing her time at UC San Diego as a graduate student. A NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholar from 2023- 2025, she joined a network of students from across the country in fields related to NOAA's mission and completed a 10-week summer internship in 2024.

Ignatoff reminisced on participating in a one-day research cruise through a course on the biology of fishes: “Being out in the field was an exhilarating experience, and I couldn't help feeling incredibly lucky to interact firsthand with fish species most people may never hear of,” she said. “It was a reminder of what makes me love marine biology as well as to appreciate the natural world around us.”

As Ignatoff prepares to walk the stage, it isn’t goodbye for her yet. Entering the Scripps Institution of Oceanography doctorate program in marine biology this fall, she will be completing her thesis in the Fish Evolution Lab with her advisor, Dahiana Arcila.

Hoping to study genetic mechanisms that underpin evolutionary innovations in fishes, Ignatoff strives to serve as principal investigator in a lab of her own one day.

Marshall Olmos, B.A. in urban studies and planning

Majors don’t always define careers. Take Marshall Olmos’ pursuit of a career in play-by-play sports broadcasting as proof.

At UC San Diego, Olmos explored a range of extracurriculars. “Finding my identity—whether it was that of an urban planning student and researcher, a sports broadcaster, a triathlete, an academic advisor, even a math student or something else—was a confusing process and often hindered my ability to truly excel in the classroom,” he said.

It wasn't until 2022 when he started broadcasting UC San Diego Athletics events for KSDT Radio that he made a name for himself. In his junior year, he became the first KSDT sports director. He jumped at the opportunity to shape a proper KSDT internship from scratch, recruiting people and building the infrastructure to broadcast about Triton Athletics.

With a passion for basketball, Olmos played a crucial role in shaping UC San Diego broadcasting for many important games, such as the men’s basketball team’s game against San Diego State in December 2023, three games against UC Irvine during the 2024–25 season, and UC San Diego’s first-ever men’s NCAA Tournament game. From traveling with the team to mobilizing a fan invasion at UC Irvine, he showcased the energy and influence that comes from being a sports broadcaster.

“I love sports and the stories that surround them, and will forever cite my experience at UC San Diego as my inspiration for why I do what I do,” he said, “Play-by-play broadcasting is inevitably a difficult field to break into, but the journey is something I am prepared to embrace.”

Samantha Warda, B.S. in human biology

Transferring colleges is a fresh start for many. Acclimating to a new campus and culture doesn’t come without challenges, however. Struggling to adjust from a semester system to a quarter system, Samantha Warda experienced the process of starting over.

Taking this challenge in stride, Warda didn’t hesitate to involve herself in the school community. On the Ambassador Committee for the California Medicine Scholars Program, she provided mentorship and assistance to future scholars who come from similar backgrounds and are also passionate about becoming future physicians.

This wasn’t Warda’s only accomplishment. She became a UniversityLink Medical Science Program member and cohort, an American Medical Student Association member and a lab assistant in the OASIS Research Methodology Training Laboratory Fellowship. She also volunteered at Scripps Mercy Hospital, where she gained great experience as a student and future physician.

“As a first-generation Latina Triton who comes from an underrepresented community,” she said, “being able to represent my school and my community has been such a fun and thrilling journey as I attain my education to be a future physician who can help others in need.”

Warda plans to become a physician specializing in internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine or cardiology.

Caren Aguirre, B.S. in environmental systems

"Graduating from UC San Diego, I carry more than a degree: I carry a profound understanding of myself, a richer connection to my community, and the confidence to step into what’s next,” said Caren Aguirre.

Aguirre is grateful to her mentor, Angelina Lopez, director of research and engagement for the Bioregional Center for Sustainability Science, Planning, and Design, for introducing her to the Urban Studies and Planning minor. With Lopez’s assistance, Aguirre conducted summer research through the Triton Research & Experiential Learning Scholars program, which inspired her to revitalize a community garden in San Ysidro, partnering with the nonprofit Casa Familiar.

“This project has meant so much to me because it not only aligned with my academic focus on environmental justice but also became a deeply personal journey of reconnecting with my Chicana and fronteriza identity,” she shared.

Aguirre also takes great pride in a documentary class project that showcases the thriving art scene in San Diego’s Logan Heights neighborhood. “The documentary we’ve created truly reflects the love and pride this community has for its cultural heritage,” she said. “This experience has shown me that through art, we can powerfully declare the presence and vitality of a community.”

With aspirations deeply rooted in community, sustainable development and advocacy, Aguirre diligently works to help shape a future where environmental, social and economic systems are equitable and regenerative. She currently serves on the County of San Diego Environmental Justice Working Group and hopes to continue expanding her knowledge in planning, environmental science and sustainable development.

Anuj Jain, B.S. in oceanic and atmospheric sciences and computer science

Anuj Jain will walk across the stage after completing requirements in a double major and minor, an impressive accomplishment. The leadership and technical skills that he has amassed throughout his journey are showcased in the multiple ways he has given back to the Triton community.

With the help of advisors, Jain traversed the complexities of double majoring. “They connected me with several research projects and programs that piqued my curiosity and fueled my passion for applying technical skills to climate modeling, finance, education and IoT (the Internet of Things),” he said.

His list of extracurricular activities is impressive. He took on leadership positions within the Computer Science Department and founded Triton Quantitative Trading. One of his favorite memories is designing and teaching a special topics course, CSE 198. This led to two of his proudest accomplishments: the Jacobs School of Engineering Award of Excellence in CSE for outstanding academic, leadership and community contributions, and the Alice Y. Wu Leadership and Academic Success Award for initiatives and volunteer positions.

Next, Jain will attend UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business to begin  the Master of Financial Engineering program. In the future, he hopes to develop environmental, social and governance (ESG)-focused investment strategies, leveraging his background in AI, quantitative finance and ocean-atmospheric science, to drive the industry toward a sustainable future.

Arden Boice, B.S. in marine biology

In their early years at UC San Diego, Arden Boice suffered from an affliction many students go through: impostor syndrome, a behavioral health phenomenon described as self-doubt of intellect, skills or accomplishments among high-achieving individuals. As they prepare to graduate from her dream school, they will leave as an active member of the Triton community, ridding themselves of any doubt that they deserved to be at UC San Diego.

Through their participation in the Partners At Learning (PAL) program through the Department of Education Studies, Boice volunteered at schools in areas that lacked mobility from high school to college. Their role as a PAL mentor was to be a positive presence for the students. “This experience has been beyond transformative,” they said. “I have connected with so many kids, and it's allowed me to be a person I would have benefited from having in the classroom at their age.”

Boice focuses on the small moments that encapsulate the life they will now be leaving behind. “I think my favorite memory at UC San Diego has been all of the little moments where I felt like I had made it,” they shared. “I loved taking walks with my friends through campus at night, when it was all foggy and there was no one walking on Ridge Walk except for us, especially walks back to Seventh College from Geisel. It was so quiet, and it gave us a moment to realize we were all people out here, living our lives, working towards some higher goal.”

Boice strives to earn their PhD in marine ecology at an international university, and continuously incorporates education outreach into their work.

Abhishek Santhanam, M.S. in computer science and engineering

For Abhishek Santhanam, UC San Diego has now become synonymous with home. Finding a family within a close-knit group of friends, Santhanam reminisced about shared experiences working on homework and applying to jobs and internships: “That bond, the late nights, shared struggles, and laughter—that's what I’ll miss the most.”

As part of UC San Diego’s cricket team, Santhanam described his time being a part of a larger community on campus. Providing him with a much-needed outlet from academics and job pressure, cricket allowed him to stay active, competitive and connected. “One of my favorite memories—and my proudest moment—at UC San Diego was during the 2024–25 Regionals tournament, when I scored a ‘century’ [a milestone in the game] against UC Irvine,” he said. “It was a high-pressure match and reaching triple digits was incredibly fulfilling, especially given the hard work I’d put in balancing my academics and cricket commitments.”

As Santhanam moves on to his next chapter, he plans to build a meaningful career in machine learning. Working on large-scale systems and applying AI to tangible problems, he hopes to lead teams, mentor others and contribute to building responsible and innovative tech.

Santhanam noted, “I want to keep playing cricket, staying close to my roots and investing in the friendships and communities that have shaped me so far.”

A Few More Favorite Memories from Graduating Tritons

“My proudest moment at UC San Diego was getting to choreograph a dance for the Dance Department's spring show, 'New Directions." I have participated in nearly all the department's dance productions and think back on these experiences as some of my fondest memories. This year, at the student choreographed show, it felt only right to audition my piece and hope for the best. I was beyond excited to see I had been selected, and the process of creating my piece has been one of my biggest accomplishments. I look forward to seeing the final product and being able to display all I have learned and accumulated from my time at UC San Diego.”

Celia Carton, B.A. in psychology and dance

“I have a lot of good memories at UC San Diego, from being an RA to living in the Computer Science ‘dungeons.’ However, my best memory is playing at the Sun God festival. That was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I got to live with the people I love, and especially doing what I love most, which is playing drums."

Jerson Perez, B.A. in interdisciplinary computing and the arts

“My favorite memory to look back on is Welcome Week 2022. I helped plan and implement almost every event that Seventh College had during the week and co-choreographed our winning Unolympics routine! I also got to be the first ‘Sevie’ to be the shark for Seventh College. The photos of the dance have me front and center in a blow-up shark that has since become a staple during Welcome Week and orientation for Seventh College!”

Air Kaplan, B.A. in environmental systems policy

“Forgive the cheesiness here: My boyfriend and I had our first kiss in front of Tenaya Hall, where I used to live. Now every time I walk past it, I can't help but smile. UC San Diego has been the place where I developed some of my deepest friendships, and, well, my relationship. College is so much more than academics, and I look back at it all with tears of joy and sadness filling my eyes. In the blink of an eye, it's all over.”

Olimpia Carrioli, B.S. in cognitive science