Personal portfolio documenting my journey exploring civil engineering, architecture, and music.
Selected civil design and architecture work completed during summer internships.
Click here Engineering Notebook – Sketches & Designs
Visit several civil engineering project sites with me and get a front seat view into modern construction techniques
See More Site Visits
Learn more about my research with the Alameda County Flood Control & Watershed Studies group leading to better design of flood control structures.
Explore Research & Publications
Music is my passion.View my orchestral performances and learn about my non profit MusicThrives.
Visit here Music & Performance
Engineering Notebook – Sketches & Designs
During my internship, I learned how a site plan serves as the foundation for every successful construction project. It brings together buildings, parking, landscaping, utilities, accessibility, and circulation into one coordinated design. Working on site plans helped me understand how engineers and architects balance technical requirements, city requirements like setbacks, safety, environmental considerations, and user experience while making the most efficient use of available land. This experience strengthened my interest in civil engineering by showing me how thoughtful planning can shape functional, sustainable, and resilient communities.
Click on sketch to enlarge
Engineering Concepts Learned
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Site grading and drainage
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Property setbacks and zoning considerations
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Building orientation and circulation
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Construction documentation standards
I studied accessibility requirements and translated them into a bathroom layout that accounts for turning radius, fixture spacing, door clearance, and usability. This project helped me understand that good design is not just about fitting objects into a room; it is about making spaces usable for people with different needs.
Click on sketch to enlarge
Engineering Concepts Learned
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ADA accessibility requirements
BBefore this internship, I viewed buildings mainly from the outside. Creating wall sections helped me realize that much of the engineering happens behind the finished surfaces. Understanding how each layer contributes to structural integrity, weather protection, and occupant comfort gave me a new appreciation for the complexity of building design. Although this drawing looks simple, it represents many engineering decisions that affect a building’s safety, durability, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort.
Click on sketch to enlarge
Engineering Concepts Learned
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Load paths
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Building envelope
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Moisture protection
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Thermal insulation
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Structural framing
What software is essential for modern civil engineers?
What are the major fields of civil engineering?
Site Visits
I am interested in understanding how roads, highways, and public transit are designed and how engineering decisions impact traffic flow, safety, and accessibility.
Click on image to enlarge
Field Visit Date: June 24, 2026
Project Context
During this field visit, I observed a residential road maintenance project where a chip seal and slurry seal treatment was being applied to extend the life of the existing pavement. Rather than replacing the entire roadway, this preventive maintenance technique restores the road surface, improves skid resistance, seals small cracks, and helps prevent water from penetrating the pavement structure.
Engineering Principle Observed
Preventive Infrastructure Maintenance
One of the most important concepts in civil engineering is that maintaining infrastructure before significant deterioration occurs is more cost-effective than complete reconstruction. Chip and slurry seals are examples of preventive maintenance that can significantly extend the service life of asphalt pavements while minimizing construction costs and disruptions to the community.
Key Observations
- The existing pavement was first inspected and prepared before the maintenance work began.
- An asphalt emulsion was uniformly applied to the roadway surface.
- Aggregate chips were spread over the emulsion to create a durable wearing surface.
- Excess aggregate was removed after the binder had cured.
- The work progressed in carefully planned stages to maintain traffic flow and ensure worker safety.
- The completed surface provided improved texture, better skid resistance, and protection against water infiltration.
What I Learned
This visit helped me understand that maintaining transportation infrastructure involves much more than simply repairing visible damage. Engineers must evaluate pavement conditions, select appropriate maintenance strategies, schedule construction efficiently, and minimize inconvenience to the public. I also learned how relatively small maintenance treatments can substantially increase the lifespan of a roadway while reducing long-term costs.
Personal Reflection
Before visiting this project, I assumed roads were repaired only after they developed significant cracks or potholes. Seeing preventive pavement maintenance in action showed me that civil engineers often solve problems before they become visible to the public. It reinforced my appreciation for the planning and engineering decisions that help communities maintain safe and reliable transportation systems.
Questions I Left With
- How do engineers determine when a road should receive chip seal instead of being resurfaced?
- How do traffic volume and climate influence pavement maintenance decisions?
- What materials are being developed to make asphalt more sustainable?
Click on image to enlarge
Field Visit Date: April 3, 2026
Project Context
During this field visit, I observed the construction of an ADA-compliant curb ramp (curb cut) at a street intersection. Although it appears to be a relatively small infrastructure project, the curb ramp plays an important role in improving accessibility and ensuring that sidewalks can be safely used by everyone, including individuals using wheelchairs, strollers, bicycles, and other mobility devices.
Engineering Principle Observed
Universal Accessibility and Inclusive Design
Civil engineers design public infrastructure to be safe, functional, and accessible for all members of the community. ADA-compliant curb ramps demonstrate how engineering standards, geometry, slope requirements, drainage considerations, and safety features work together to create infrastructure that serves people with diverse mobility needs.
Key Observations
- The existing curb and sidewalk section were removed before reconstruction began.
- Forms were installed to establish the required geometry and elevation.
- Reinforcement and concrete placement were carefully prepared before pouring.
- The finished ramp incorporated a gradual slope that provides a smooth transition between the sidewalk and roadway.
- Detectable warning surfaces (truncated domes) were installed to assist pedestrians with visual impairments.
- The construction sequence emphasized precision because small variations in slope or elevation could affect accessibility compliance.
What I Learned
This project showed me that even relatively small infrastructure improvements require careful engineering design and strict adherence to standards. I learned that accessibility is not simply a design preference but an engineering responsibility. Every dimension, slope, and surface treatment must work together to create a safe and usable public space.
Personal Reflection
Before observing this project, I viewed curb ramps as a routine part of sidewalks. After watching the construction process, I realized how much engineering thought goes into what many people barely notice. This experience helped me appreciate that some of the most meaningful engineering projects are those that quietly improve everyday life for thousands of people.
Questions I Left With
- How are ADA slope requirements verified during construction?
- How do engineers balance accessibility requirements with stormwater drainage?
- What inspection process is used before the project is accepted?
Research & Publications
A collection of my publications and certifications.
Click on sketch to enlarge
My research on microclimate variability and its impact on hydrologic design.
Music & Performance
Alongside engineering, I am an active trumpet player. Music has taught me discipline, focus, and the importance of precision skills that also shape how I approach engineering problems.
Ideas & Writing
I write about engineering concepts, observations, and questions that I explore as I learn more about the field.
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