College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

✈️Help Send CSUSM Students to the Global iGEM Competition!🌎

The CSTEM iGEMS team is raising funds to participate in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition, the world's premier synthetic competition. This experience gives our students the opportunity to apply cutting-edge , collaborate across disciplines, and develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges on an international stage.

Your support helps provide critical resources for research, project development, competition registration, and travel expenses. Every contribution—no matter the size—directly invests in student innovation, hands-on learning, and the next generation of leaders.

🌟 Join us in supporting our talented students as they represent and showcase the impact of STEM education beyond the classroom.

🔗 Donate and learn more: https://connect.csusm.edu/g/cstem-igems-competition.

Please consider sharing this opportunity with your network.

CSTEM iGEMs Competition - California State University San Marcos

Finding confidence in uncomfortable situations. Biological Sciences graduate student Elizabeth De Moya took a leap of faith and applied for an externship at the San Diego Humane Society. She is finding that between her coursework and the experiences she is actively engaged in at their facilities, she is more prepared than ever to pursue her career goal of becoming a veterinarian! 🐈🐥🐕

🔥The summer of research and scholarly activities has begun! 🔥

Summer Scholars started yesterday with an opening program that included remarks from Dean Jackie Trischman and an inspiring and insightful conversation with Dr. Jose Romero-Mariona, Director of Innovation at Leidos, about innovation, career pathways, and leadership.

Welcome to a summer of scientific exploration, new discoveries, networking, collaboration, and an opportunity to define your future!
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STEM at its best is designed with hands-on curriculum to help students learn concepts versus just reading about them.

Congratulations to:
✅ Dr. Justin Perron, Department of Physics, for a three-year, $1,085,815 project supported by the Laboratory for Physical Sciences in quantum information science and technology (QIST).

✅ Dr. Kimberly Ayers, Department of Mathematics, for a $173,098 grant from the National Science Foundation that creates interactive models for teaching introductory calculus, a gateway course for STEM majors.

✅ Drs. Mallory Rice, George Vourlitis, and Jane Kim, Department of Biological Sciences, for community-driven scientific research that investigates how urban development is affecting wildlife and natural resources across North San Diego County.

Read more about the innovative work our faculty are doing at the link below.

CSUSM Professors Earn Grants Advancing Science, Health and Student Success For many students, quantum physics education centers on theory, with few opportunities for hands-on experience. Cal State San Marcos physics professor Justin Perron aims to change that. Perron is leading a three-year, $1,085,815 project supported by the Laboratory for Physical Sciences, targeting...

Alumni Akayla Hackson, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science in 2022, combines her passions for product development, helping others, and a love of the game. 🏀🐾

Read more about her business venture, MealOps, at the NewsCenter link.

Conversation With Ex-Teammate Leads Alumna to Launch MealOps Akayla Hackson has always had a knack for finding solutions to problems.So when Kelsey Forrester told Hackson about the most challenging part of her job at UC Santa Barbara, Hackson took action.Hackson and Forrester have been close friends since their days as teammates on the Cal State San Marcos wo...

A big shout out and THANK YOU to our amazing ASI reps, Morgan Harris (Class of 2026! 🎉) and Haley Burch, who did a phenomenal job of representing CSTEM students during the 2025/26 academic year! We wish you the very best as you start your new adventures.

Congratulations to new reps Aidan Jose and Anika Olive. We are excited to partner with them and continue this legacy of support for students.

Are you ready?! 🎉 T-minus 14 hours before we are lining up on the field and getting ready for the grand entrance! Our Senior Spotlights from Camile Sevilla (BIOC) and Malcolm Zartman (CS) highlight the importance of faculty mentors - and there will be plenty of them cheering on our graduates tomorrow!

Tag us and share your stories. We want to celebrate with all of our CSTEM graduates! 🎓💙

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😎The semester is over in two days and we are gearing up for an amazing Saturday morning!  

Taking a break between finals with these Senior Spotlights:   Anthony Buchanan (BIOL), Isabel Serrano (BIOC), and Jason San Nicholas (BIOL) as they share stories of resilience, faculty mentorship, and research.  🔬🧪🥼🐾

What is YOUR success story?  Class of 2026, tag us so that we can celebrate with you. 🎓💙

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🌞Sunny days have returned this week and the Ethnobotany Garden is in full bloom. 🌻 Last Thursday, the garden was full of activity - from pollinators 🐝 to classes to collaborations with , , and ! 🌱

Take a break and walk the space. Read the signage, provided over the years by the classes. Smell the flowers. Look for monarch caterpillars. It's an amazing place to relax and take a deep breath.

Join the Milpa Comunidad on Thursday afternoons to get your hands dirty and learn more about sustainable gardening.