From guiding capstone design teams and leading laboratory sections to mentoring students through difficult coursework and long nights of problem-solving, five graduate students in UC Santa Barbara’s Robert Mehrabian College of Engineering have been selected by the Class of 2026 as Outstanding Teaching Assistants (TAs).

Chosen through nominations from graduating seniors in each department, the annual recognition honors graduate mentors who made a meaningful impact both inside and outside the classroom during the 2025–26 academic year.
This year’s recipients are Alyssa McNarney (Chemical Engineering), Kriteen Shrestha (Computer Engineering), Maciek Pajak (Electrical Engineering), Peyton Bursin (Mechanical Engineering), and Sanjay Chandrasekaran (Computer Science).

Building Confidence Through Engineering
Teaching has long been central to Alyssa McNarney’s professional aspirations. A fourth-year PhD student in chemical engineering, McNarney said that receiving the Outstanding TA Award affirmed both her commitment to students and her desire to pursue a future in teaching-focused academic roles. 

“Being recognized with the Outstanding TA Award is incredibly special,” McNarney said. “It affirms the dedication I bring to every student interaction and inspires me to continue making a meaningful impact in the classroom.”

McNarney, who earned her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University, served as a TA for CHE 184A Senior Design during the academic year. She described the course as both demanding and deeply rewarding because students must solve open-ended engineering challenges with no single correct answer. 

“My goal is to meet each group where they are, help them get unstuck, and keep their projects moving forward,” McNarney said. “More than just solving problems, I want to build their confidence as engineers, because that self-assurance is what will carry them through their careers long after the class is over.” 

Advised by chemical engineering professor Brad Chmelka, McNarney examines zeolite catalysts used in diesel-engine exhaust systems. By studying the materials at the atomic level, she hopes to better understand how they degrade over time and help develop cleaner, more durable emissions-control technologies. 

Mentorship Beyond the Technical
Helping students navigate the “human side” of engineering became a defining part of the teaching experience for Kriteen Shrestha, who TA’d the computer engineering capstone sequence this year. 

“I was very surprised,” said Shrestha about receiving the 2026 Outstanding TA Award for Computer Engineering. “Hearing that there were students who chose to recognize me with this award is very touching and meaningful to me.”

Shrestha, who double majored in computer engineering and mathematics as an undergraduate and is completing her BS/MS in computer engineering at UCSB, said that the role taught her that a helpful attitude goes a long way.  

“I realized that students needed help navigating the more human side of engineering,” Shrestha said. “Having gone through the same course, I tried to guide my students by example, openly sharing my own experiences and mistakes, to make their experience more approachable and less difficult.” 

Shrestha will continue at UCSB, pursuing a PhD with electrical and computer engineering associate professor Kerem Çamsarı, working on probabilistic methods in quantum computing and optimization. She is exploring methods combining quantum physics and neural networks to more efficiently navigate complex quantum systems. 

Creating Engaging Learning Environments
Enthusiasm and approachability shaped Maciek Pajak’s philosophy as a teaching assistant this year in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. 

“Personally, I am glad to see that my hard work has had a lasting impression on the students I have taught,” said Pajak, who received the 2026 Outstanding TA Award in Electrical Engineering. “It brings me joy to see my students succeed in the course, and I’m happy that my hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

Originally from London, Canada, Pajak completed his undergraduate degree in nanotechnology engineering at the University of Waterloo before pursuing a master’s degree in electronics and photonics at UCSB. This year, he TA’d ECE 132 Introduction to Solid-State Electronic Devices and ECE 120A Integrated Circuit Design and Fabrication. 

“I try to make my sections helpful and concise, focusing on the main topics that should be understood within the course,” Pajak said. “I also try to be as enthusiastic as possible because I find that for myself, I learn better that way.” 

Pajak’s research focuses on designing and testing optical communication devices for cryogenic environments and data centers, work aimed at advancing next-generation communication technologies. 

Leading by Example
Consistency, visibility, and encouragement became core parts of Peyton Bursin’s approach to teaching mechanical engineering students this year. 

A first-year graduate student in UCSB’s BS/MS mechanical engineering program, Bursin served as a TA for ME 156A, ME 156B, and ME 104 while balancing graduate research and competitive swimming and water polo. He was thrilled to learn that he had received the 2026 Outstanding TA Award for Mechanical Engineering. 

“This accomplishment is incredibly fulfilling on both a personal and professional end,” Bursin said. “I truly believed I could improve the process of learning. I didn’t just want to boost grades or give out answers; I wanted every student to believe that I’m invested in their growth inside and outside of the classroom.”

Bursin’s graduate research with professor Francesco Bullo focuses on machine learning algorithms for robotics and navigation systems, including approaches that could one day help autonomous systems efficiently explore unfamiliar environments such as underwater terrain or other planets. 

He said the award reinforced his passion for mentorship and teaching, which he hopes to continue throughout his career. 

Supporting Students Inside and Outside the Classroom
Approachability and trust sit at the center of Sanjay Chandrasekaran’s philosophy as an educator. A computer science PhD student, Chandrasekaran said he strives to be someone students can turn to both academically and personally. 

“Receiving the Outstanding TA Award for Computer Science means a great deal to me, especially because the nomination came from current undergraduate students,” Chandrasekaran said. “Knowing that students recognized and appreciated the effort I put into supporting them makes me very happy.”

Chandrasekaran, who earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University, TA’d CS 156, CS 176A, and CS 176C this academic year. 

“I try to positively impact my students by being someone they feel comfortable turning to, not just for help with course material, but also for advice and support more broadly,” he said. “If I can help students not only succeed in a course, but also feel more confident in themselves, then I think I’ve made a meaningful positive impact.” 

Advised by computer science associate professor Arpit Gupta, Chandrasekaran examines how real-time communication platforms such as video calls and online meetings perform under changing network conditions, with the broader goal of helping build smarter and more adaptive communication networks.