Inspired early on by his father’s work as a civil engineer, he was fascinated by the way ideas on paper could be transformed into real-world structures. His interest solidified in high school through a biology class, sparking his desire to explore medical applications like surgical robotics—leading him to pursue Mechanical Engineering with a focus on mechatronics.
Last summer, Abel interned at Sunbelt Controls in their rotational program that exposed him to multiple disciplines within building automation. As a controls design engineer, he got to work on designing a control system and creating intuitive Human-Machine Interface graphics. He also got to use Direct Digital Control (DDC) to implement electrical interfaces, converting a design into functional systems. The internship sharpened both his technical skills and his appreciation for interdisciplinary teamwork. “These experiences inspired me to think beyond building automation,” Abel says, “motivating me to explore applications of dynamics and control systems in the medical and automotive sectors.”
Abel credits the welcoming and supportive culture at Sunbelt Controls for making his internship experience truly meaningful. “They were very welcoming and open to answering questions, whether it be technical, professional, or even personal,” he says. He discovered the opportunity during the Spring 2024 SJSU Career Fair, in a conversation with a fellow Spartan alumni recruiter.
Reflecting on his growth at SJSU, Abel is most proud of the persistence and adaptability he’s developed. “Whenever I face a challenge, I see it as an opportunity to learn” he shares. For students aspiring to follow a similar path, networking is one of Abel’s biggest points of advice. Whether on LinkedIn, at career fairs, or even with classmates, these connections will help you showcase your interests and technical skills.
Abel aspires to work in medical technology, focusing on developing surgical devices that enhance patient outcomes. He’s also eager to contribute to the development of suspension systems and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), working to create safer and more efficient vehicles.
Dean Sheryl Ehrman from SJSU College of Engineering kicked off the event, followed by speakers from organizations such as Genentech, Intuitive Surgical, Medtronic, NASA, Santa Clara University, and Stanford.
In the afternoon an industry panel made up of representatives from Butterfly Biosciences, Kaiser Permanente, PROCEPT BioRobotics and STG Law Firm came together to discuss AI and Biomedical Devices: Challenges and Opportunities. The panel was moderated by Joe Grzywacz of the SJSU College of Health and Human Sciences.
College of Engineering Biomedical Engineering Department Chair, Dr. Alessandro Bellofiore, closed the event. A big thank you to Professors Lin Jiang, Yun Wang, student organizer Aaheli Das, and the rest of the student volunteers for making this event a success. Also, thank you to the sponsors: Steri-Tek, MTM, WESTPAK, and APOMed Consultants for their support of the event.
As we near the end of the academic year, SJSU invites you to celebrate Asian & Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month and Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Heritage Month this April. While API Heritage Month is nationally observed in May, we honor these rich histories through these events in April to align with our academic calendar.
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