University Of Washington Bothell School of STEM

We are proud to recognize three outstanding faculty members who are retiring this year!

We're excited to celebrate the retirements of:

Dr. Harry Aintablian, associate teaching professor emeritus, Department of Engineering & Mathematics, after 11 years. Dr. Aintablian taught power electronics and renewable energy electrical and electronic systems. Using his experience in the aerospace industry – including roles at NASA and Boeing – he brought real-world insight and practical perspectives to students. In retirement, he plans to continue hiking and traveling overseas and hopes to pursue photography while continuing to teach part time in the Electrical Engineering program.

Dr. Dan Jaffe, professor, Department of Physical Sciences, after nearly 30 years. Dr. Jaffe has is a leader in air quality research, writing many peer-reviewed publications with students. He was also one of the key faculty members involved in the formation of the school in 2013 and served as chair of the Department of Physical Sciences for about nine years. As professor emeritus, he plans to focus on grant-funded research projects while also making more time for travel and skiing.

Dr. David Sommerfeld, associate teaching professor, Department of Physical Sciences, after nearly 12 years. Dr. Sommerfeld has inspired students through chemistry lectures and labs while helping to lead the Chemistry program. He plans to move out of state and get involved with science education and museum work.

Join us in recognizing these faculty for their countless contributions to our STEM community over the years. We wish you all the best!

Join us on Friday, Aug. 21, to hear from our undergraduate students sharing their research posters and oral presentations.

We can't wait to see what our students have been working on! Thank you to all of our industry and community partners for your collaboration and support.

All are welcome to join – details below:

📅 Date: Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

⏰ Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.

📍 Location: Various campus buildings at UW Bothell (see event schedule for details)

Check out the STEM Symposium event schedule (coming soon - live updates as presentations are confirmed): https://stemsymposium.uwb.edu

UW Bothell is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To make arrangements for disability accommodations, please contact STEM Student Success at [email protected] 10 days prior to the event.

As a recent graduate, Ash Putzke is familiar with giving back to the local community.

Earning a double degree in Earth System Science and Biology, Putzke concluded their undergraduate journey as an intern with CoSEE, UW Bothell's Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement.

When CoSEE joined the "Yard by Yard" project to help bring back native plants to residents' yards, Putzke had the opportunity to contribute to the neighborhood they lived in.

Read more about the project and its impact on the local ecosystem in the UW Bothell story: https://www.uwb.edu/news/2026/07/22/help-for-the-local-ecosystem-one-yard-at-a-time

Combining creativity and technology, Joseph Gacula has made the most of his time at UW Bothell exploring his passions.

A senior majoring in both Media & Communication Studies and in Applied Computing, Gacula has used his interests in graphic design, filmmaking, game development and programming to find real-world opportunities both on campus and in the community. Through his work with the UW Bothell's Student Marketing & Design team and an internship with King County Parks, he's built a portfolio while making a meaningful impact.

Read the full story: https://www.uwb.edu/news/2026/07/17/seizing-opportunities-for-real-world-experience

We are proud to celebrate School of Education Studies Alumna Lisa Castaneda, who co-founded foundry10 with Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve Software and creator of acclaimed video games like Portal 2. foundry10 has supported more than 28 UW projects and programs, including funding for the BioImpact Summer Camps hosted by our Center for Biotechnology Innovation & Training.

Thank you to Lisa and the foundry10 team for recognizing and supporting the important work of programs like the BioImpact Summer Camps for high school students! It is because of your generous support that we can create early learning and career opportunities for the next generation.

Read more about Lisa’s career pathway and the start of foundry10 in the full UW Bothell story: https://www.uwb.edu/give/news/2026/05/20/the-uw-bothell-alumna-leading-change-in-education

Last month we held the 3rd Annual STEM Symposium Awards Ceremony, where we honored over 40 students, faculty and community partners for their outstanding academic excellence and impactful work inside and outside the classroom at the University of Washington Bothell!

Read about the awards ceremony, awardees and check out more photos from the day here: https://www.uwb.edu/stem/news/2026/07/07/stem-symposium-awards-2026

There’s still time to join — registration remains open for the final three camps: https://www.uwb.edu/stem/research/cbit/bioimpact-summer-camps

Ready to Explore Biotech This Summer?

We’re excited to offer THREE immersive BioImpact Summer Camps designed for rising 10th-12th graders curious about science, medicine, and innovation.

Hosted by the Center for Biotechnology Innovation & Training (CBIT), these 5-day hands-on camps give you real experience with labs, career paths, and cutting-edge technology.

Choose your path:

BioImpact: From Ideas to Industry

Explore anatomy and how biomedical devices diagnose and treat disease.

• June 22–26 (session 1)

• July 6-10 (session 2)

BioImpact: ImmuneRx

Learn how the immune system fights disease and how scientists engineer treatments like cancer therapies and vaccines.

• July 13–17

BioImpact: BioPreneurs

Discover how biotech companies bring ideas to life - from new medicines to AI-driven healthcare solutions.

• July 27–31

Perfect for students interested in healthcare, research, engineering, or biotech careers!

Spots are limited - register now:

https://www.uwb.edu/stem/research/cbit/bioimpact-summer-camps

UW Bothell is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To make arrangements for disability accommodations, please contact Guy Hamilton at [email protected] 10 days prior to the event.

We had a blast at the spring 2026 STEM Symposium – congratulations to all who presented their research! So many great photos in our shared album. Stay tuned for our blog post featuring all the awardees from the 3rd Annual Awards Ceremony!

The spring symposium is our largest annual event, and our community did not disappoint. Thank you to the staff, faculty and community partners who showed up for our students and supported their research efforts.

From researching wildlife impact of downed deadwood in Saint Edwards State Park and the unexpected return of native kokanee salmon in the Lake Washington basin to developing a sensor-driven Tamagotchi game for air quality awareness and redesigning an aerospace switch with industry partners like Korry Electronics — STEM students tackled an impressive range of real-world challenges.

We can’t wait to see you at the next one. Save the date for August 21!

Learn more about the symposium: https://stemsymposium.uwb.edu/

Check out more symposium and awards ceremony photos in our shared album (UW NetID required): https://uwnetid-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/stemcomm_uw_edu/IgCGGJLMyDs3SYqL6TNeyq9xAXvzV0Mg7lxWKHwJouigRXk?e=GnnVGV

STEM is proud to celebrate the World Cup here in Washington! Dean Jennifer McLoud-Mann recently visited the SEA Beacon installation in Horizon Hall, part of a statewide network of hundreds of beacons created through SeattleFWC26’s legacy efforts. UW Bothell is part of this initiative helping connect our local communities to a global moment.

The world’s game is powered by innovation and STEM — from advanced analytics and player performance insights to the engineering of stadiums and the global infrastructure that brings each match to audiences worldwide. That same spirit of discovery and collaboration drives our work and our students every day.

UW Bothell is also partnering with the City of Bothell to bring our community together through a series of free “soccer village” watch parties at the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC):

• Thursday, June 25 – USA vs. Türkiye, 7 p.m.
• Monday, July 6 – Round of 16, 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 14 – Semi-Final, 5 p.m.
• Sunday, July 19 – Final, 12 p.m.

We invite you to visit the beacon in Horizon Hall and experience how our community is connected to something bigger. ✨

Congrats, Class of 2026! We are so proud of you💜

From UW Bothell Grads, With Love 🎓💜 UW Bothell graduates took a moment to send a message to the people ...