Alumni Updates 2024
Joshua Michael Babich
B.S., Applied Mathematics — 2010
Like many, after graduating with my B.S. in Applied Mathematics, I was unsure of what to do next. I ended up leveraging the programming and mathematics skills learned as an undergrad and developed/self-published a small Android game. This jump-started my career in the video game industry where the journey has been an exciting one, from working on massive social games like FarmVille, to spearheading the M&A process for our small publishing company in 2022 to Team17 (publisher of the popular co-op game Overcooked!).
While it might not be a traditional career path, the critical thinking and puzzle-solving skills learned at UC Davis had a huge impact on my ability to grow in unexpected ways as a professional. You never know how or when you'll apply the things you learn in life, say YES to new opportunities and remember you miss 100% of the shots you don't take!
Joshua Babich is now Vice President and General Manager of Team17 USA in San Diego, California. Team17’s first game was published for the Amiga in 1991, and as a company began focusing on indie games in 2013.
William Thomas
B.S., Mathematics — 1978
M.S., Ecology — 1982
After graduating with my bachelor’s, I pursued my M.S. at UC Davis with research in modeling and analysis, specifically how it applied to biological systems in Ecology. I subsequently embarked on a 38-year career with Hughes Aircraft (eventually Raytheon), focused on broad challenges in RF sensing and software-intensive electronic systems. I continued my formal education with an M.S. in Engineering (UCLA, 1986) and an M.B.A. (Anderson School, UCLA, 1993). Later career specialization included open systems architecture, secure processing and cyber defense.
Wisdom and practical lessons gleaned from UC Davis Mathematics, as well as particularly Professor Richard Plant (Plant Sciences, and Biological and Agricultural Engineering), were foundational to all subsequent achievements.
William Thomas is now retired from his job as Engineering Director at Raytheon. He lives in southern California.