J. Chris Bachman, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), has been honored with a 2025-26 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Mexico.
This prestigious fellowship will enable Bachman to enhance the academic collaboration between Cal State LA and the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California in Tijuana (UABC Tijuana).
The initiative focuses on advancing engineering education and fostering synergy between the California State University system and UABC, tapping into their shared commitment to education and community engagement.
Bachman will serve as a Fulbright scholar from August 2025 to January 2026, during which he will teach courses centered on human-centered design and automotive engineering.
In addition to teaching, he will mentor UABC Tijuana’s Formula SAE student team and facilitate faculty workshops that emphasize project-based and asset-based learning pedagogies.
He is also set to collaborate with faculty and students at UABC on research projects pertaining to sustainable automotive technologies.
“This project creates a long-term bridge between two institutions that share a mission of advancing opportunity through accessible, high-impact education,” stated Bachman, who resides in Alhambra.
He expressed that his work aims to support student success and academic research in Mexico, while simultaneously enhancing Cal State LA’s ability to serve its Hispanic and first-generation student population.
The partnership reflects the common values of both Cal State LA and UABC Tijuana, as they are both public institutions dedicated to serving diverse communities located in regions with vibrant automotive industries.
To formalize this collaboration, a memorandum of understanding was signed in 2024, laying the groundwork for future joint efforts.
As part of his Fulbright endeavors, Bachman will promote international exchanges among students and faculty, initiate inter-campus seminars, and help prepare UABC’s student team for an international electric vehicle design competition.
This initiative is expected to create pathways for future research partnerships, student exchanges, and enhanced engagement between academic institutions and industry sectors in both Baja California and Southern California.
A respected educator and researcher, Bachman specializes in battery technology and experiential learning in engineering.
He is the head of Cal State LA’s Sustainable Technology Lab and has played a pivotal role in establishing the makerspace and engineering outreach programs within the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology (ECST).
Bachman currently chairs the Southern California Section of SAE International and has garnered multiple accolades for his teaching and community service, including the university’s Outstanding Professor Award in 2023.
He completed his Ph.D. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, showcasing a strong academic foundation in his field.
Nancy Warter-Perez, the dean of ECST, expressed her excitement regarding Bachman’s Fulbright selection and the potential it holds for international collaboration.
“Since joining our faculty in 2017, Chris has significantly impacted our students and college through his research, mentoring, and dedication to community engagement,” she remarked.
Warter-Perez added that the institution is proud of Bachman’s achievements and the opportunity to cooperate with UABC on research, innovative teaching methods, and student organization mentorship in the automotive engineering sector.
The Fulbright Program, managed by the U.S. Department of State, receives funding from the U.S. government along with support from various governments, host institutions, and foundations worldwide, functioning in over 160 countries around the globe.
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