East Los Angeles College student Mario Chong Loo was named Student Spotlight of the Week, according to an April 2 announcement. Chong Loo created a new tool for earthquake scientists as part of an internship with the Southern California Earthquake Center.
This recognition highlights how community college programs can connect students with opportunities that have real-world impact. It also shows how support systems like MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) can help students build confidence and skills for advanced work in science and technology fields.
Chong Loo said he was initially unsure about joining the SCEC internship because he had no background in seismology or earthquake science. “I was skeptical,” he said, “because I didn’t know anything about seismology or earthquake science and I thought I wasn’t a good fit for this program.” Through his involvement with MESA at ELAC, which provided workshops, tutoring sessions, and a supportive peer network, Chong Loo gained the foundation needed to succeed in his role.
Under Dr. Wang’s mentorship during the internship, Chong Loo developed a Python-based graphical user interface for the CyberShake Data Access Tool. The project combined an AI language model, interactive seismic map, and seismogram reader into one platform. He faced challenges translating complex command-line research files into an accessible format but overcame them through problem-solving and independent study.
Chong Loo presented his work at the SCEC Annual Meeting alongside researchers from Caltech, Harvard, and Stanford. He also visited Verisk Analytics in Boston to see how software development is used in industry settings. Now studying Software Development at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, he plans to create applications focused on data challenges that benefit society.
He advised other community college students: “Trust your potential, use support programs like MESA, and take risks on opportunities that can transform your confidence and career trajectory.” His story demonstrates what is possible when educational resources are matched with motivated students.
