Cal State LA computer science major Kevin Bayona-Galindo helped lead a team of undergraduate innovators to a third-place finish in the 2025 MESA Idea Accelerator, a STEM entrepreneurship competition designed to create real-world solutions for their communities.
Bayona-Galindo worked alongside teammates Mysha Quader of Mission College and Carolyn Thai of Chico State to develop the Omni Backpack Charger, an all-in-one device that can generate and store electricity from sunlight (solar), heat, and movement to charge items, such as power banks, flashlights, and watches. The team received a $1,000 award to further develop their idea.
“The MESA Idea Accelerator was significant to me because it was such a great opportunity to learn, grow, and meet other STEM majors from different universities,” Bayona-Galindo said. “Juggling a full course load while working 20 hours a week, along with the demands of the program, wasn’t easy, but it taught me how to push through discomfort and develop the resilience needed to stand out in STEM fields.”
He added that the program also strengthened his sense of purpose and appreciation for the support he has received.
“I’m grateful for the people I have met along my path because, ultimately, they have helped me get to where I am right now,” he said. “Winning third place is a huge milestone in my STEM journey, especially because our team created the only physical product in the competition. MESA and the staff at Cal State LA have opened doors for me, and I encourage other STEM students to take advantage of the opportunities the university offers.”
The MESA Idea Accelerator program guides students through the design process and exposes them to real-world entrepreneurial challenges. This year, approximately 30 students across California participated in a summer boot camp, where they received hands-on training in ideation, prototyping, and pitch development.
Throughout the fall, students collaborated with faculty mentors and peers to refine their projects before presenting final pitches to a panel of judges. Winners were announced during last month’s MESA Student Leadership Conference, which was attended by more than 200 students, volunteers, and staff.
“The MESA Idea Accelerator is an incredibly challenging program that demands a lot from our students,” said Marvin Maldonado, interim deputy director of MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement). “The program has given them a framework to collaborate and bring new and creative solutions to life, and they’re primed to make a positive impact in their STEM careers.”
This year’s competition was supported by PG&E, with volunteer judges from the MESA Industry Advisory Board along with Meta, Sandia National Laboratories, Strava, and Terumo Neuro.
Cal State LA’s MESA program, housed within the university’s College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology, supports first-generation and low-income students pursuing careers in STEM. Through academic support, mentoring, undergraduate research, and leadership development, MESA prepares students to contribute solutions to today’s most pressing challenges.
“Kevin’s success reflects the strength of the Cal State LA MESA program and the dedication of our students,” said Cal State LA’s MESA Director Adriana Tellez-Andrade. “We hope to continue providing opportunities that help our students thrive in STEM.”
Bayona-Galindo is a first-generation Mexican American college student and a San Bernardino County native. A transfer from Chaffey College, he is on track to complete his bachelor’s degree from Cal State LA in spring 2027. After graduation, he plans to enter the tech industry or pursue a master’s degree in computer science or software engineering, with possible interest in enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.
Statewide, MESA serves more than 20,000 students annually and has been recognized by the White House, the Ford Foundation, and the Silicon Valley Education Foundation for its impact.
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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 260,000 distinguished alumni.
