Four Allen School undergraduates are among the 2019 class of the Husky 100, a program that recognizes students from across the University of Washington’s three campuses who are making the most of their Husky Experience — both inside and outside of the classroom. This year’s honorees from the Allen School exemplify a commitment to academic excellence, campus leadership, and service to the community that are the hallmarks of a Husky 100 student.
Caleb Ellington
Caleb Ellington is originally from Austin, Texas but proclaims he “couldn’t be more proud to be a Husky” as he looks to apply his talents at the intersection of biology and computing in developing communities.
After he graduates with degrees in Bioengineering and Computer Science next year, Ellington hopes to build on his past experience as a biomedical engineering ambassador to hospitals across Nepal by helping to develop emergency services in that country. Having completed internships at Boulder, Colorado-based Muse Biotechnology and at Amazon in Seattle during his studies, Ellington is also interested in pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities focused on therapeutics manufacturing.
“I came to UW with a mission to improve health care and medicine using tools available to everyone,” Ellington said.
Alison Ng
Alison Ng of Woodinville, Washington will graduate this year with a degree in Computer Engineering. A leader inside the Allen School as well as out, Ng chairs the CSE Student Advisory Council, which represents the undergraduate and master’s student voices within the school, and serves as an officer of the UW chapter of the Society of Women Engineers, an organization that aims to expand educational and career opportunities for women in technical fields.
Ng also represents her fellow students as a member of the Allen School Diversity Committee and serves as a peer adviser helping to guide other CSE majors and prospective students toward academic success. She is currently in her second quarter as a teaching assistant for the Allen School’s Introduction to Digital Design course.
“The University of Washington has provided me with the opportunity to explore my passion for computer engineering and to develop the technical skills necessary to thrive in the industry,” Ng said.
Eugene Oh
Eugene Oh of Federal Way, Washington is pursuing degrees in Computer Science, with a concentration in Data Science, and Social Work.
During his time at UW, Oh has assisted current and prospective CSE majors as a peer adviser and also served as a teaching assistant for the Allen School’s Freshman Direct Admit seminar — in which he focused on the topic of social good — and Computer Science Principles course. When he is not honing his technical skills at a local technology company or as undergraduate research assistant, Oh devotes himself to volunteer service at the Roots Young Adult Shelter and mentoring students at Kent-Meridian High School through the UW Dream Project.
“My time at the UW has taught me to continually push my growing edge in all the spaces that I occupy,” said Oh. “I move forward from the UW hoping to combine my interests in education and technology to work toward empowering the youth of tomorrow.”
Mitali Palekar
Mitali Palekar will graduate this year with a Computer Science degree with Interdisciplinary Honors. Palekar, who hails from Cupertino, California, describes her Husky Experience as one of transformation from “naive freshman” into an engineer, leader, and advocate.
In addition to serving as an Allen School peer adviser helping her fellow students navigate their own Husky Experience, she has been active in the UW chapter of the Society of Women Engineers as a senior adviser and past president. Palekar has also taken the opportunity to apply her technical skills as an undergraduate research assistant in the Allen School’s Security and Privacy Research Lab and through internships with multiple technology companies in Seattle and Silicon Valley.
“I have developed a passion for building products and communities that uplift the voices of people around me,” Palekar said.
“Through the Husky Experience, students discover their passions in life and work,” said UW Provost Mark Richards. “They become independent thinkers and leaders. They gain the skills they need to prepare for rewarding careers in industry, community and in life. That’s exactly what each of these 100 students is doing.”
This is the fourth year the UW has recognized students through the Husky 100 program. Past honorees from the Allen School include 2018 recipients Amanda Chalfant, Aishwarya Mandyam, Melissa Medsker (Galloway), and Kimberly Ruth; 2017 recipients Camille Birch and Kelsie Haakenson; and 2016 recipients Krittika D’Silva, Victor Farkas, Karolina Pyszkiewicz and Sarah Yu.
Congratulations to Caleb, Alison, Eugene, and Mitali on this well-deserved recognition — and thank you for devoting your time and talents to helping your fellow students and the community!