California remains the top destination for international students in the U.S., hosting nearly 237,600 students, about 15.8% of all international higher education enrollees in 2023, the highest share of any state. Their contributions are both educational and economic: collectively, international students infused more than $43.8 billion into the U.S. economy during the 2023–2024 academic year, supporting over 378,000 jobs. California led the charge, with an estimated $6.4 billion generated from nearly 141,000 international enrollees.

Against this backdrop of global academic vitality, one Brazilian prodigy stands out: Pedro Henrique da Silva Parmezani, a standout former NCAA athlete and research scientist now aiming to further advance his career through graduate studies in systems engineering.

Pedro’s academic journey exemplifies international excellence. After moving alone to the U.S. at 15, he graduated Magna Cum Laude in Applied Physics and Mathematics from West Virginia Wesleyan College, with a 3.84 GPA. His honors include the Outstanding Physics/Engineering Award, Senior Academic and Leadership Achievement Award, and selection to the All‑Mountain East Conference Academic Team.

“Moving countries at such a young age taught me resilience and independent thinking, tools I rely on every day in science,” shares Pedro. Supported by a SURE grant, Pedro conducted advanced gamma-ray shielding research, testing metals and innovative lightweight polymers via MATLAB simulations and isotope calibration using Cs-137 and Co-60.

“Lightweight plastics can protect nearly as effectively as metals, which could revolutionize aerospace and medical shielding,” says Pedro.

California’s dynamic innovation ecosystem, anchored by institutions like UCLA, USC, UC Berkeley, and Stanford, offers fertile ground for Pedro’s multidisciplinary talents. With international students comprising around 13% of UC system enrollees, the state is a melting pot of global STEM minds.

Pedro aims to invest his research in systems engineering, focusing on data-driven optimization, AI-enhanced logistics, sustainable aerospace systems, and smart manufacturing. These areas align closely with California’s strengths in biotech, clean energy, and space exploration industries.

“California is where big-picture systems meet real-world application,” Pedro reflects. “It’s the perfect place to build solutions with both scale and impact.”

Beyond his lab work, Pedro is a seasoned leader: former NCAA soccer captain, Resident Assistant, VP of the International Student Organization, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader. Fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, he navigates global collaboration with ease.

“I believe effective engineering solutions come from both technical precision and human understanding,” he explains. “Multicultural teams build better, more ethical systems.”

California’s reliance on international students is clear, they fuel research, support universities financially, and enrich commercial sectors. Yet current visa constraints threaten this pipeline. UC leaders are calling on policymakers to safeguard student visa programs to maintain the state’s innovation advantage.