Meet the Team | INSPIRE Program

Meet The INSPIRE Team

Elizabeth Belding

Elizabeth Belding is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science, where she has worked since 2001! Her research focuses on measuring and expanding fixed and mobile Internet access around the country, analyzing who has access, and the quality and affordability of that access. She believes everyone needs high quality, reliable Internet access so that they can fully reap the benefits of online world. She is excited to share all the ways that a degree in computer science and engineering can have positive social impact on people and communities. When she is not at work, she can be found having fun with her family and with her four year old chihuahua-poodle-pomerian-australian cattle dog-boston terrier supermutt named Maia!

Joseph Chada

Joe Chada is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Chemical Engineering Department. Prof. Chada teaches courses across the curriculum ranging from the first-year Introduction to Chemical Engineering to the Senior Design course. When he started his undergraduate degree, he was certain that he wanted to be an engineer someday although he couldn’t decide on which type—as long as it wasn't chemical engineering since he didn’t enjoy his first chemistry course. After (begrudgingly) taking another required chemistry course and loving it, he switched majors. Ever since, it’s been his mission to show prospective engineers how important chemical engineers are when working on global problems like sustainability and climate change. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys cycling, the occasional triathlon, and walking with his dog, Neville.

Yogananda Isukapalli

Yoga Isukapalli is a teaching professor and the undergraduate vice-chair in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. He joined the ECE faculty in 2017. Prior to that, Prof. Isukapalli worked as a scientist in the Wi-Fi research division at Broadcom in San Diego from 2010 to 2017. During his time at Broadcom, he was involved in the design and implementation of fast and power-efficient 11n/11ac/11ax Wi-Fi chips. As part of the systems team, he worked on all phases of Wi-Fi chip production, from conceptual design to integration into customer products. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UC San Diego in 2009. Prof. Isukapalli currently runs the Computer Engineering capstone program, and most of his teaching focuses on courses related to CE capstone projects. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys long walks in nature and camping.

Diba Mirza

Diba Mirza is a faculty member in computer science with an emphasis on undergraduate education and teaching. Visit her on the first floor of Harold Frank Hall (HFH 1155), and you will be welcomed by a colorful office and comfy seating to match the cool vibes of the ocean right across the building. She loves breaking down things that seem tough and complex and using that understanding to create something new. Teaching and learning computer science and engineering is a fun playground to do just that. She believes people connect most deeply when they can share a good laugh. That's why she loves comedy (fun fact 1: the programming language Python was named after the comedy troupe Monty Python) and humor (fun fact 2: a high point of her undergrad career was when she got a theater full of professors and students in splits as Aunt Abby in the play "Arsenic and Old Lace"). She tries to combine these passions into her job as an associate teaching professor and CS undergrad program vice chair.

Jessica Santana

Jessica Santana is an Assistant Professor in the Technology Management Department, where she teaches entrepreneurship and decision analytics. She uses computational social science methods - including text and network analysis - and is a sociologist by training, which means she finds social interactions especially interesting. When she isn't working or with family, Dr. Santana is training for local triathlons to enjoy Santa Barbara's breathtaking nature. Fun fact: Dr. Santana built a mobile augmented reality startup in 2010, which helped her get a job at video game publisher EA before she went back to school for her PhD. She is excited to meet the new cohort of first-year engineering students!

Meet The Peer Mentors

Athena Chen

Athena is a second-year Computer Science major from Orange County, CA. She is passionate about computer science because of how it mixes logic with creativity and has many intersections with other areas. Currently, she works at UCSB's Information Technology Services as a service desk technician and did an internship abroad in Singapore over the summer. She is hoping to get more involved with computer science research this year. In her free time, she enjoys arts and crafts, reading, and rock climbing. She is so excited to be a peer mentor for INSPIRE and help students find community and confidence in the College of Engineering!

Sarayu Praturu

Sarayu is a third-year Electrical Engineering major interested in signal processing and ICs. She hopes to pursue a career in bioelectronics and is currently involved with Professor Theogarajan's research team researching neural probes. She is excited to be an INSPIRE mentor and help students navigate EE and discover what interests them most. Outside of school, she loves watching sunsets, playing tennis, reading, and doing pottery!

Rahul Janga

Rahul Janga is a third year Computer Engineering student from the Bay Area. He is involved in research through UCSB’s Early Scholars Research Program and enjoys learning through hands on experiences. Rahul is excited to be part of INSPIRE and help students feel more confident, connected, and supported as they embark on their engineering journey. Outside of academics, he enjoys playing badminton, rock climbing, cooking, watching shows, and pursuing his minor in Chinese.

Sophia Stomhagen

Sophia is a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student from the Bay Area. She is currently interested in product design and completed personal research on metal 3D printing through the URCA grant at UCSB. Apart from academics, she enjoys working out, going to the beach, and baking. She is really excited to be a part of the INSPIRE program and help new engineers find their path!

Nikita Huynh

Nikita is a fourth-year Computer Science major from SoCal! She’s interned in Singapore through study abroad, and loves computer science since it feels like problem solving. She’s also a CS ULA and is currently pursuing a History minor. Outside of school, she loves gymnastics, reading, and going out with friends! She’s super excited to be an INSPIRE mentor, and can’t wait to see where the year will go!

Jasmin Lin

Jasmin Lin is a fourth-year chemical engineering major from San Diego. She is a previous INSPIRE and SIMS scholar, and has interned at biotechnology and instrumentation companies in manufacturing. She is also involved in engineering clubs on campus, and a beauty marketing club. Outside of academics, she loves reading, sewing, and going to the beach. She is excited to help first-year students adjust to UCSB and show them all the opportunities it has to offer!

Kai Brown

Kai is a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student from Sacramento, California. He is a member of UCSB’s robotics club, where he leads the design team for the VEX-U competition team. He is also pursuing a Certificate in Technology Management through UCSB’s PACE program. As an INSPIRE mentor, he is excited to support incoming students as they navigate their transition to college and pursue their academic and professional goals. Outside of school, he enjoys going to the gym, playing spikeball and football on the beach, and spending time with friends.

Jason Hughes

Jason Hughes is a fourth-year chemical engineering major from Danville, California. He is passionate about engineering, problem-solving, and finding practical solutions to complex challenges. Jason has gained professional experience through internships at Lockheed Martin as a Quality Engineer Intern and at PEDEVCO, where he worked on production analytics and market research. At UCSB, he is involved in Club Water Polo and enjoys surfing, sports, and spending time outdoors. He is excited to serve as an INSPIRE mentor and help first-year students build confidence, find community, and take advantage of the many opportunities available at UCSB.

Andrew Zhang

Andrew Zhang (he/him) is a senior in computer science, mathematics, and theater. He is super excited to be an INSPIRE mentor for 2026-2027! Coming from Beijing, China, he is interested in storytelling in emerging media such as virtual and augmented reality. He enjoys riding trains and driving them in video games. Come say hi to him in the seminars!

Pranav Gunhal

Pranav is a third-year Computer Science major from the Bay Area. His interest in building lego gadgets to perform basic everyday tasks and experiences using technology to improve teaching led him to pursue a degree in engineering. Currently, he is working on research studying the supply chain of computer architecture at UCSB's ArchLab as well as a project modeling earthquake prediction with novel metrics. In the future, he hopes to pursue a PhD in Human Computer Interaction for improving educational technology. In his free time, Pranav enjoys sketching the view from different parts of campus, reading, competing with UCSB's MUN team, and arguing about random topics with friends. As part of the Inspire program last year, he has seen firsthand the impact it has on first year students navigating college and is excited to mentor this year's scholars!

Amelia Lu

Amelia is a fourth-year electrical engineering (EE) major interested in robotics. She chose engineering for its wide applications and opportunities to help others, and is so excited to work with INSPIRE students this year! Outside of EE, she is pursuing an English minor and will be working as a CLAS writing tutor. You can find her watching sunrises and sunsets at the beach, reading, painting, and playing piano or pickleball.