Outstanding engineering, computer science undergraduates honored with Awards of Excellence

The Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California San Diego celebrated its class of 2026 during the annual Ring Ceremony on June 11, where graduating students received their class rings and recited the Jacobs School oath. This year’s event featured a keynote address by Bhavin Shah, a Jacobs School alumnus and philanthropist who co-founded Moveworks, an AI platform acquired by Salesforce. Six students were selected from over 1,300 graduates to receive Awards of Excellence for their academic excellence, leadership, and community contributions. Jacob Hoenig, a bioengineering student, conducted research in nanomedicine at UC San Diego, earning multiple awards for his work and senior design project. He also led philanthropy efforts for Alpha Epsilon Pi, raising over $15,000 for homelessness initiatives, and co-founded the UC San Diego TAMID Group to support early-stage biotech ventures. Anya Chernova, a computer science student, was recognized for her leadership, teaching, and mentorship, including serving as a tutor, mentor, and student lead for high school programs. Both Hoenig and Chernova will continue their education, with Hoenig pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan on a National Science Foundation fellowship. The ceremony also emphasized the Jacobs School’s commitment to ethical engineering, with graduates pledging to uphold integrity in their professional careers. The six Award of Excellence recipients were chosen for their outstanding contributions across research, service, and academic achievement, reflecting the school’s dedication to fostering well-rounded leaders in engineering and computer science.