Graduate Student Reflects on His Engineering Education Evolution 

April 7, 2025 - If Tyler Reese Johnson achieves his target UC Irvine graduation date of 2027, he will have completed a 10-year engineering educational journey with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees under his belt. 

Johnson first came to UCI as a rising high school senior, participating in the (OAI) Access Summer Program to Inspire Recruit and Enrich (ASPIRE). Then, as a rising undergraduate, he participated in the OAI Scholars Network program. Both programs are designed to encourage and empower students to pursue STEM degrees. Johnson continued to stay involved with OAI as a student assistant and mentor for other students. Simultaneously, he worked at the CSULB Math Collaborative, a job he secured through OAI. The reciprocal flow of learning is important to Johnson, as he wants to ensure the same, if not better, opportunities for engineering students looking for support systems, programs, internships and more.  

It was Johnson’s mother who helped him find his way to UCI and engineering. She had had her own valuable experience during college with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and she steered him toward the organization. He joined and become the NSBE-UCI president from 2019 to 2020 and currently serves as a graduate mentor. 

“I just want to pay it forward, because people helped me get to where I am,” said Johnson. “I want to be able to help and give advice to people who are still on their journey.” 

At first, Johnson's path seemed clear; he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering in 2021 and then earned a master’s degree in the same major in 2023. The Corona native juggled his studies at UCI with two internships, first at Boeing in mechanical and structural test engineering and then at MIT in mechanical engineering.  

From this professional experience and through discussions with professors, Johnson shifted his focus to machine learning. He received valuable guidance from UCI's former Dean of Engineering Gregory Washington, who impressed upon him the looming importance of artificial intelligence. Johnson was also inspired by one of Washington's students at the time, Theron Smith, who was working on a project that leveraged machine learning to optimize plug-in vehicle (PEV) charging. Johnson decided to change direction and pursue his growing interest in computer modeling and mechanical engineering. He is now working on his doctorate in mechanical engineering under the advisement of Ramin Bostanabad. He conducts research on multi-fidelity modeling with calibration, a process that can be applied to any engineering design system that has many design variables, like aerospace or mechanical engineering.  

“Over the past few years, I have watched Tyler grow into a seasoned researcher who welcomes challenges and can solve practical problems, code professionally and present his work effectively,” said Bostanabad, an assistant professor. 

Johnson also served as a teaching assistant for the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Mechanics of Structures and Mechanics of Structures Laboratory. He instructed half of the discussions and labs for three quarters, with an average of 180 students per course. Bostanabad says that teaching a large class is uniquely challenging. “Tyler has done this and, importantly, in an amazing and professional way that makes all students admire his work!” 

Johnson hopes to merge his talents of 3D printing and additive manufacturing, which he practiced during his internships, into a career. Multi-fidelity modeling will allow Johnson to constantly test and fix machine-learning models. The prospect of ever-evolving change excites him, as it will keep his engineering skills sharp.  

Johnson says UCI allowed him the space to not only learn and practice engineering but also grow within the field. He was able to change course and pursue different directions. Today he eagerly awaits the completion of his doctoral degree, a symbol of his hard work and determination.  

After spending a decade as a student at UCI, Johnson looks forward to enjoying some free time, before pursuing a career in industry research and development. “I'll be excited for when my brain isn't on 24/7,” he said. “And see what I create with the knowledge that I gained from getting all these degrees.” 

– Cassandra Nava