CoSE

San Francisco State University (SFSU) science students received an insider’s view of what it’s like to work at one of the world’s leading biopharma companies last fall with a lab tour and panel discussion featuring SFSU alumni working at Gilead Sciences. The event was hosted at Gilead’s Foster City campus.

Panelists Juan Castillo (B.S. ’16), Hanh Huynh (B.S., ‘14) and Sima Rantisi (B.S. ’16) shared how their SFSU experience, including the impact of their professors, propelled them to graduate degrees that ultimately led them to their roles at Gilead. Their stories align with U.S. News & World Report’s Top 10 ranking of SFSU for upward socioeconomic mobility in the U.S.

“I had classes with very dedicated professors who took the time to mentor me and inspired me to be diligent with my studies,” said Huynh, who confessed that she did not have good study habits in her public East Bay high school. “The professors and community at motivated to do better and keep learning.”

Learn she did. Following SFSU, Huynh, a Biochemistry major who was her SFSU class valedictorian, earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Minnesota, followed by a two-year residency in critical care at Hennepin County Medical Center. Prior to joining Gilead, she practiced as a critical care specialist at Stanford Tri-Valley Care. She is currently an associate clinical development director in oncology at Gilead, where she supports Phase 3 clinical trials in endometrial cancer.

Her leave-behind message to SFSU students at the panel discussion was simple: “Surround yourself with people who support you and have your best interests at heart. Never sell yourself too short and always aim high.”

Castillo was the first in his family to attend a four-year institution after two years at junior college. A Bay Area native like Huynh, he wanted to stay close to home to help his family with home responsibilities. He came to SFSU knowing that he wanted to study chemistry.

“I envisioned myself working in a lab, doing experiments, but I did not know that I had the capabilities to take on graduate school,” Castillo says. “But working with the professors at SFSU and doing research really opened my vision to the possibilities of attending graduate school. Once I got further involved in research my advisors pushed and encouraged me to attend go to graduate school and pursue a Ph.D.”

After graduating from SFSU, Castillo, who majored in Chemistry, earned his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of California, Davis, where his research focused on characterizing dietary carbohydrates to understand their role in shaping the gut microbiome (the ecosystem of microbes that live in our intestines). He is a senior scientist at Gilead, where he develops and implements innovative analytical methods to support life-saving therapies.

Castillo told the students at the panel session that he was once in their shoes, not sure where his future laid. “I was trying to figure out my career path, and I did not envision myself at Gilead,” he said. “But, given my research experience and training, I was able to get my Ph.D., and I was capable of landing a job at Gilead.”

The Gilead Foundation has been a valued SFSU partner, contributing $5 million to the University’s new Science and Engineering Innovation Center (SEIC) that opened in January, 2025 as well as student programming and direct student aid.

"We are delighted to support the sciences at San Francisco State University," said Gilead Foundation President Jane Stafford. "Through their research skills, SFSU science alumni continue to be contributing members to the Gilead team as it strives to discover and test new therapies to treat illnesses that affect so many of us."

The Gilead and SFSU partnership extends beyond financial support. Gilead employees actively engage with SFSU students through mentorship, guest lectures and on-campus events. In addition, Gilead scientists are interested in exploring deeper collaborations with SFSU – such as contributing to SFSU’s STEM ​ curriculum and providing more opportunities for students to develop professional skills that will help them to achieve successful careers in biotechnology.

You could say Alex Milowski (MS ’04, Mathematics) has always stayed ahead of the curve – and his career makes a strong case.

A glance at his bio reveals a researcher, developer, entrepreneur, mathematician and computer scientist. Since the early 1990s, he has helped shape web and semantic technologies, focusing on machine learning, natural language processing, data representation, algorithms and large-scale data systems. Along the way, he has founded and funded multiple companies and contributed to industry leaders including Stitch Fix, Redis, and Orange.

Earlier in his career, he was an invited expert to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Alex collaborated with Tim Berners-Lee – widely regarded as the inventor of the World Wide Web – and many others. That trajectory is especially striking considering his roots in a small, frigid town in northern Minnesota, where temperatures regularly drop to –40°F and automakers test vehicles under extreme conditions.

Today, Alex is widely recognized for his expertise in XML technologies, the semantic web and machine learning – fields that underpin the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence.

But being ahead of the curve, for Alex, also means investing in those who follow. In 2024, after many previous years of donations to San Francisco State University, Alex established an endowed scholarship at SFSU. Building on that commitment, he recently funded the Milowski Data Science and Machine Learning Summer Scholars program – an 8-week, faculty-mentored research experience designed to meet the growing demand for AI-driven skills.

The program gives students across the College of Science & Engineering (CoSE) hands-on experience applying data science and machine learning to real-world problems at scale. Participants also engage in weekly professional development, including networking and presentation training, to prepare for future careers.

“Technology and the application of machine learning are changing at an ever-increasing pace, and our research and academic pursuits need to evolve alongside it,” Alex says. “I wanted to bring data science and machine learning together for aspiring researchers and practitioners. Data science asks the questions; machine learning helps answer them. They naturally complement each other and should be pursued together.”

“I wanted to bring data science and machine learning together for aspiring researchers and practitioners. Data science asks the questions; machine learning helps answer them. They naturally complement each other and should be pursued together.”

—Alex Milowski (M.S. ’04)

That vision becomes reality this summer. Graduate students Serena Chang and Matthew Bush will serve as the program’s inaugural scholars. Working with Biology Professor Andrea Swei, Serena will study how mountain lions influence tick populations and the risk of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. Matthew, collaborating with Mathematics Professor Tao He, will conduct research to develop a non-invasive system to analyze human gait using floor vibration sensing – research that could aid early detection of mobility decline and neurological disorders.

“We are thrilled to launch the inaugural Milowski Data Science and Machine Learning Summer Scholars Program,” says CoSE Dean Carmen Domingo, PhD. “Providing funded summer research puts students on a path toward career success. Many of our students would otherwise take unrelated summer jobs to cover expenses. This program allows them to advance their research, strengthen their skills and better prepare for a competitive job market. Alex has provided a wonderful example of the impact an alumnus can have on our students.”

“This program allows them to advance their research, strengthen their skills and better prepare for a competitive job market. Alex has provided a wonderful example of the impact an alumnus can have on our students.”

—CoSE Dean Carmen Domingo, Ph.D.

Serena is grateful for the research opportunity that awaits her this summer. “I am really honored to have been nominated by Dr. Swei and selected for the Milowski Data Science and Machine Learning Summer Scholars program,” she says. “Support from this program gives me the opportunity to make concerted efforts to expand my experience and skills with data science and machine learning approaches. I am confident this will make me a better researcher as I develop my career in disease ecology.

“Plus, I am excited to work to answer my research question of how top predators impact Lyme disease transmission risk using a machine learning model approach that's new to me. I find both the topic and effort to develop my computational skills really engaging. I believe participation in this program will make me a stronger candidate for PhD programs in the 2027-28 academic year, which I hope will be the next step in my career path to becoming a professor of biology with a focus in disease ecology and One Health.”

Alex’s path to this moment began early. While still in high school, he started taking college courses and quickly developed a reputation as a skilled programmer. He paid his way through the University of Minnesota by writing software – first for the student newspaper, then for the university’s computing department – before moving into private industry, where he built large-scale print production systems for a large financial printing company. That unique experience introduced him to SGML and the precursors of the Web.

His curiosity soon drew him into the early days of Gopher, a pre-Web internet protocol for organizing and retrieving information. He became an expert in early Web technologies, launched a consulting company around it and eventually sold that company to a startup. That opportunity brought him to San Francisco – and ultimately to SFSU, where he earned his master’s degree in Mathematics before continuing on to a PhD in Informatics at the University of Edinburgh.

His experience at SFSU left a lasting impression. Inspired by the opportunities the university provides its students, he established the Alex Milowski Scholarship in Mathematics in 2010 and endowed it in 2024.

Now living near campus, Alex regularly attends CoSE events to connect with students and see their work firsthand, including serving as a judge at the recent CoSE Student Project Showcase.

“One thing I enjoy about coming to events is seeing the breadth of student work,” he says. “They’re articulate, excited, and deeply engaged in their research. It’s a clear reflection of what San Francisco State is doing well.”

“One thing I enjoy about coming to events is seeing the breadth of student work. They’re articulate, excited, and deeply engaged in their research. It’s a clear reflection of what San Francisco State is doing well.”

—Alex Milowski (M.S. ’04)

Through his philanthropy – made possible by a lifelong passion for programming, data science and innovation – Alex is opening doors for the next generation. His goal is simple: to help SFSU students not just keep up with change, but stay ahead of it.

The exclusive eight-month program, part of a national initiative that includes 23 universities selected by Apple, provides one-on-one mentorship, exposure to technical careers and opportunities for professional growth. Each student is paired with an Apple engineer for monthly guidance on everything from resume building to networking and technical deep-dives.

For many students, the program represents more than just career preparation — it’s a chance to rethink what’s possible.

“I’m so excited to be in this program to get an inside look into the industry, especially Apple. I hadn’t considered Apple a possibility for myself until now,” said Albany Lansang, a third-year SFSU Mechanical Engineering student. “I hope to gain meaningful connections with my mentor, of course, and also between us mentees, and knowledge that will help guide me through the rest of my college career and eventually through my professional career.”

Connie Lee, a third-year SFSU Computer Engineer, echoed the excitement. “I love computers. I love technology. It’s one of the first passions I had as a kid,” Lee said. “Honestly, Apple is a little bit of my dream company.”

At the campus announcement event, SFSU President Lynn Mahoney congratulated the students. “I think there’s probably no more iconic company for the Bay Area than Apple, so congratulations,” President Mahoney told the students. “You came here to study, but your ultimate goal is to have a rewarding career. The link between your studies and career is what you’re doing right now.”

During the program, students will be paired with an Apple engineer who will dedicate time each month to share knowledge and support the student’s growth. Mentees will also have access to career development skills and strategies, including crafting effective resumes, taking deep dives into Apple products, leveraging LinkedIn, and more.

“My passion for science began at San Francisco State University in 1970, when I took a molecular biology course taught by Dr. Sarane Bowen,” Fong recalls. “That class sparked my fascination with DNA and RNA and their essential roles in the life of cells.”

That spark led Fong to pursue a Ph.D. at Indiana University and postdoctoral research at UCLA and the National Institutes of Health. In 1984, he founded Clontech Laboratories. “What began in the classroom at SFSU became the foundation for a company that grew to nearly 400 employees over 15 years,” he says. Clontech rose to become one of the largest biomedical tool companies founded by an Asian American in the U.S. before its acquisition by Becton Dickinson in 1999. Fong later launched Kenson Ventures, LLC, a Silicon Valley–based venture capital firm that has invested in and mentored numerous biotech companies through IPOs and acquisitions.

Reflecting on his career, Fong says, “I have come to value sustainability and continuity — principles that guide both my professional endeavors and my contributions to the scientific community.” These principles, together with his gratitude for the opportunities afforded by his education in the U.S. as an immigrant from Hong Kong, continue to inspire his deep connection to SFSU. Over the years, he has given generously of his time, expertise, and philanthropy.

“My passion for science began at San Francisco State University in 1970, when I took a molecular biology course taught by Dr. Sarane Bowen. That class sparked my fascination with DNA and RNA and their essential roles in the life of cells.”  
—Kenneth S. Fong (B.A., ’71; M.A., ’74), Ph.D.

In 2014, he endowed the Kenneth S. Fong Translational Research Award at SFSU, designed to support faculty and student collaborations and innovation in perpetuity. “By generating discoveries that can attract funding from NIH, NSF, and other sources,” Fong says, “the program creates a self-sustaining cycle of research, innovation, and impact.”

Since its launch, the award has funded 11 interdisciplinary projects, engaging 27 faculty and 75 students. These projects have spanned fields as diverse as biomedical engineering, chemistry, biology, physics, and computer science — from robotic exoskeletons for stroke rehabilitation, to breast cancer treatments using diverse ancestry cell lines, to advances in prosthetic arm technology. Collectively, the research has secured more than $21 million in additional funding from national agencies including the NIH, NSF, NASA, and the Department of Defense.

For SFSU student research assistant Charlie Vidal Sanchez (B.S., Civil Engineering, ’20; M.S., Structural & Earthquake Engineering, ’21), the support was life-changing. “It was at SFSU that I saw all the doors open for me where they were once closed, potential seen in me when there was once none, and where I took advantage of every opportunity I could,” he says. With the confidence and experience gained from his participation in Fong-supported research, Charlie went on to win first place in the CSU Research Competition, earn a master’s degree through SFSU’s accelerated program, and launch his own construction company. 

“It was at SFSU that I saw all the doors open for me where they were once closed, potential seen in me when there was once none, and where I took advantage of every opportunity I could.”  
—Charlie Vidal Sanchez (B.S., Civil Engineering, ’20; M.S., Structural & Earthquake Engineering, ’21), who assisted with Fong-awarded research as an SFSU student

Mind you, Denny’s is no ordinary story. Rather, it’s one filled with calculated choices. His decision to attend SFSU ultimately led to a successful career as a computer programmer who, along with his business partner, built, grew, and sold their company. Denny will be the first to tell you that he wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out. In fact, he had doubts that he would even be successful in college and beyond. That success, though, is well proven, and Denny is happy to share the fruits of that success by lending a helping hand to students in need.

Despite his claim that he was not a great student, Denny applied to and was accepted at San Jose State, Fresno State, and SF State. “I picked San Francisco. That’s where the Giants and Niners were and that’s where you could see a good Broadway play,” he says with a laugh.

Turned out to be a great decision. Focusing his studies on business and inspired by his success in classes in Statistics and Programming, Denny graduated with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Quantitative Management. From SFSU, Denny was off to his Army stint where he served as editor of the base newspaper in Alaska. He returned to California and was hired as a salesman for Univac as business computing gained wider acceptance.

Sales, however, were not Denny’s strength. Discouraged, he was about to quit Univac, but his manager saw something in him that stood out and Denny was moved over to support businesses that bought or leased Univac computers. This gave Denny the chance to develop his programming skills to the point where he was teaching companies with computers how to program them to maximize their efficiency. Soon, however, the appeal of travelling across Europe captured his attention, so Denny gave up his Univac job.

After living in a van as he traversed through London, Amsterdam, France, Germany, Spain, and Morocco, Denny returned to San Francisco and connected with an SFSU fraternity brother, Tom Luther (no relation), and tended bar in his restaurant a few nights a week. In the upper floors of the building that housed the restaurant, Denny’s future business partner and former IBM salesman Jack Baird was making a living as a computer programming consultant, focusing on getting doctors, dentists, medical groups, and hospitals to sign up for medical and dental billing services. The benefit for the businesses was that with the computerized billing systems, they would get paid in just a week instead of the traditional 30 to 45 days.