Graduate School Newsletter – March 2026
Graduate Student Spotlight: Hasan Rafsan Jani
Originally from Bangladesh, Hasan Rafsan Jani is a current Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering at SDSU. He completed his undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and then completed his M.S. from Washington State University.
When exploring Ph.D. programs, Rafsan Jani was drawn to SDSU for its strong research culture, supportive faculty and emphasis on applied engineering. “I was looking for a place where I could work closely with faculty, gain hands-on research experience and contribute to projects with real-world impact,” he shared. The close-knit academic environment at SDSU ultimately motivated his decision to join the program.
At SDSU, Rafsan Jani has been deeply involved in biomaterials and biomedical engineering research, with a focus on tissue-engineered scaffolds and bioadhesive materials for musculoskeletal repair. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, research contributions and academic presentations, these experiences have helped shape his growth as an independent and motivated researcher. In recognition of his work, Rafsan Jani was awarded the top Ph.D. poster for the 2025 Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Day (GRSCAD) poster competition.
Rafsan Jani credits SDSU with supporting both his academic and personal development through consistent faculty mentorship, access to advanced research facilities and a welcoming campus community. “The supportive environment at SDSU has helped me navigate the challenges of graduate school while balancing personal and professional responsibilities,” he noted.
The most rewarding part of his graduate experience has been seeing research ideas evolve into tangible results. Looking ahead, Rafsan Jani hopes to pursue a career that bridges engineering research and real-world applications, with a long-term goal of developing innovative technologies that improve health care outcomes.
His advice to prospective graduate students, “stay curious, be proactive. Graduate school is as much about learning independently as it is about coursework. Seeking mentorship, embracing challenges and being open to collaboration can truly transform the graduate experience.”
This event will feature Srinivas Janaswamy, recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring Award, alongside his graduate advisees. Together, they’ll share real-world insights, practical tips and personal stories that highlight what supportive, meaningful mentoring looks like in action.
Whether you’re a graduate student thinking about your advising relationships or a faculty member looking to strengthen your mentoring approach, this session offers valuable takeaways for everyone.
Event Details
- Thursday, March 5
- Noon-1 p.m. CST
Ready to strengthen your voice in graduate school and beyond?
Join us for Advocate for You: Skills to Succeed in Graduate School and Beyond, a session designed to help you build confidence, communicate your needs and navigate your academic journey with clarity and purpose.
- Wednesday, March 4
- Noon-1 p.m. CST
- Presented by Nicole Lounsbery
Whether you're advocating for your time, your research or your career path, this session will give you practical strategies to support your success. All graduate students are welcome!
Graduate Professionalism Academy
The Graduate Professionalism Academy is an optional, flexible and self-paced program designed to help graduate students build valuable skills while earning badges/certificates along the way. Through the academy, you’ll be able to:
- Boost your resume or CV.
- Build personal and professional skills that last a lifetime.
- Explore current career trends and tools.
- Earn digital badges and certificates to showcase your achievements.
This year, you’ll have the chance to earn credentials from Beyond Graduate School, SDSU Credly and Coursera. Digital badges are verified credentials that recognize your skills, knowledge and accomplishments. They can be shared on LinkedIn, added to your resume and even included in your email signature.
Email your digital badge or certificate to gradschl@sdstate.edu before April 1, 2026 for recognition at the Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Day (SRSCAD).
On March 4, Beyond Graduate School will talk about the challenges international master’s students will face and how they can assess their career options as they plan for the future. The information is not meant to alarm master’s students, but to arm them with the knowledge they need to best prepare for what’s to come.
- : March 4 from 2-2:30 p.m. ET
- : March 18 from 2-2:30 p.m. ET
Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Day (SRSCAD)
The Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College and the Graduate School jointly host the annual Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Day (SRSCAD) each spring.
The events include poster shows, featured performances and presentations, and awards for outstanding student achievement. Student submissions from all disciplines are encouraged.
Date: April 14, 2026
Location: Volstorff Ballroom – University Student Union
Faculty, staff, students and community members are encouraged to attend.
Event Schedule
- 9:15-10 a.m. – Undergraduate Poster Check-in and Display Setup
- 10 a.m.-noon – Undergraduate Poster Show and Project Judging
- 12:15-1 p.m. – Graduate Student Poster Setup
- 12:15-1 p.m. – University Leadership Panel
- 1-2 p.m. – Graduate Student Panel
- 2-4 p.m. – Graduate Poster Show and Judging
- 4-4:15 p.m. – Music and Poetry Performances
- 4:15-5 p.m. – Undergraduate and Graduate Awards Ceremony
The graduate poster show is open to all graduate students and showcases advanced work across all disciplines and degree type. Students do not need to be completing a thesis or research paper to participate. Projects, portfolios, written works or other types of creative activity are welcome.
A group of staff judges will select the top master's and top doctoral posters to receive awards. An award will also be given for Best Application of Artificial Intelligence in Research. Only students who used this technology and have opted into being judged will be included in this category.
The poster show is capped at 100 presenters, and the Graduate School will verify participation before the event. Once capacity is reached, students will be added to a waitlist and contacted if space becomes available.
Registration deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026.
Distinguished Innovation and Creative Work Award (Deadline: March 30, 2026)
The SDSU Graduate School is seeking to recognize outstanding creativity, impact and innovation in all disciplines offered at the university. This award includes original works accepted by the university in lieu of thesis — including nonthesis papers, projects, portfolios, media, computer software, etc. Nominations should be made by the student who is completing either a nonthesis master's or a Doctor of Nursing Practice student.
Submission requirements include:
- Completion of electronic nomination form.
- A nontechnical summary prepared by the nominee (two pages max) describing the research, impact, innovation and/or benefit to the field and its significance.
- A nomination letter from the major adviser and/or faculty member who can speak to the student’s contributions to the discipline.
- An updated résumé or curriculum vita.
Nominations must be submitted electronically via the MyState submission form. Deadline: March 30, 2026.
To , log into MyState and click the Dashboard tab. Under the forms portlet, click the Distinguished Innovation and Creative Work Award link.
SDSU Distinguished Dissertation Award (Deadline April 13, 2026)
This award recognizes a doctoral student who has completed a dissertation representing original work that makes an unusually significant contribution to their discipline.
There are two broad fields of competition that rotate yearly: mathematics, physical sciences and engineering; and the social sciences or biological and life sciences, and humanities and fine arts. If a dissertation is multi- or interdisciplinary in nature, a significant portion of the work must be comprised by at least one of the fields of competition.
Eligibility
- The effective date of the degree awarded, or the completion of doctoral degree requirements and dissertation, must be within the period of July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, for each nominee selected. Such degree award or completion is to be confirmed by the Graduate School.
Nominations must include:
- Completion of .
- Abstract of nominee’s dissertation.
- Three letters of recommendation evaluating the significance and quality of the dissertation work. One of these letters must be from the nominee’s dissertation supervisor, another from a member of the nominee’s dissertation committee and the third from a person of the nominee’s choice.
- Nominee’s curriculum vitae (not to exceed five pages).
Please Note: All parts of the nomination should be uploaded when completing the electronic form. Questions can be directed to the Graduate School email .
The Distinguished Dissertation award operates on a two-year cycle with regard to fields of competition. For 2026, the fields will be biological and life sciences or humanities and fine arts.
Award information
The award recipient will be selected by a committee of graduate faculty. The recipient will receive a certificate and $250 cash prize. The SDSU awardee’s dissertation will also be submitted to the national CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards competition with the opportunity to receive $2,000 and travel costs to attend the CGS Annual Award Luncheon in December 2026.
March 4, Wednesday – Advocate for You: Skills to Succeed in Graduate School and Beyond
March 6, Friday – National Oreo Day (join us in Morrill Hall 130)
March 16-20, Monday-Friday – Spring break
April 3-5, Friday-Sunday – Easter recess
April 7, Tuesday – Last day to drop a course
April 14, Tuesday – Graduate Poster Show
May 4-8, Monday-Friday – Final exams
May 9, Saturday – Commencement
