Outstanding Senior Spotlight: Jared Ura

Jared Ura was inspired to major in materials science and engineering at the University of California, Davis, by his grandfather, who was also an engineer.  

“He sparked my interest in chemistry and physics at a young age, and I was always in awe of how he understood the world around him at a fundamental level,” Ura said. “He taught me how to dig deeper and understand topics in full, which continues to guide me in researching the structures and properties of novel materials at the smallest of scales.” 

At UC Davis, Ura was among the five founding members of the Davis Undergraduate Engineering Network, which focuses on fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among engineers at UC Davis. Through the club, Ura found lifelong connections and hopes that incoming engineering students will also find community with the legacy he is leaving behind.  

As Ura looks ahead to his Ph.D. program at the University of California, Irvine, he also looks fondly at the people who helped him achieve his academic goals. He appreciates Susan Gentry, associate professor of teaching in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, for her dedication to her students and for teaching him marketable skills like machine learning for materials informatics.  

He also appreciates Erika La Plante, assistant professor of materials science and engineering. He never took any of her classes, but he joined her research group last fall to research the precipitation of magnesium-based cement, and her mentorship, Ura says, has been pivotal in his decision to pursue a graduate degree.  

“Professor La Plante has provided me with the tools and opportunities to realize my potential as an independent researcher. I'm beyond grateful that she took a chance on me as her first undergraduate researcher at UC Davis.” 

While Ura encourages new students to take advantage of UC Davis’ ample resources, apply for leadership positions in campus organizations and say “yes” to as much as possible, he emphasizes the value of taking the time to be present as well.    

“Your undergraduate years go by so much faster than you may think,” he said. “You're currently making the college memories that you'll look back on, so take the time to hang out with friends, watch the sunset and eat good food.”