UC Simulation Center Student Profiles

Parker Graff

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Major: Computer Engineering, with a Minor in Mathematics

Graduation Year: My planned B.S. graduation date is 2021, and my M.S. (in ACCEND) is planned for 2022

Hometown: Alexandria, Kentucky

What drew you to the UC Sim Center?

I was drawn here when I applied for the Protégé program the summer after my freshman year. I was offered a position at the Sim Center for a summer internship, and I am now co-oping with them this semester. 

What have you enjoyed most about working at the UC Sim Center?

The people here at the Sim Center are fantastic. Everyone is working on their projects, but that doesn’t stop us from having friendly conversations with almost anyone here, especially around lunch time. 

What hobbies do you have (outside of engineering)?

I am involved with the UC Navigators as a student leader, and I also enjoy video games, hiking and camping. 

Cuiyuan Lu

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Major: Mechanical Engineering

Graduation Year: 2020

Hometown: Nanchang, China

What drew you to the UC Sim Center?

The UC Sim Center offer opportunities to work on P&G projects and be mentored by P&G employees which attract me the most. Besides, the center is close to campus and is equipped with cubic work space for each student and conference rooms for meetings. 

What have you enjoyed most about working at the UC Sim Center?

The Sim Center managers care about students, and they make friends with students. My mentor from P&G comes over to the Sim Center every week to check and discuss about updates from work, and I meet friends with other students working here.   

What hobbies do you have (outside of engineering)?

I enjoy watching movies, playing tennis and playing card games.

Tyler Westland

Westland headshot

Major: Ph.D. in Computer Science and Computer Engineering

Graduation Year: 2023

Hometown: Lonsdale, Minnesota

What drew you to the UC Sim Center?

Its close proximity to campus and the opportunity for a different kind of GRA position.

What have you enjoyed most about working at the UC Sim Center?

Working with other graduate students. I've learned several "open secrets" from them.

What hobbies do you have (outside of engineering)?

Podcasts. I listen to about 20 hours of podcasts a week. My favorites are The Adventure Zone, Alice Isn't Dead, 8 Bit Saga, bomBARDed, 99% Invisible, Judge John Hodgeman, Radio Lab, The Roaring Trainers, Welcome to Night Vale and What the Folklore.

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