Scientists have long known that circulating tumor cells, rare cancer cells that are released into the bloodstream, have the potential to provide vital information about a person’s specific cancer.

Five years ago, a group of UCLA undergrads came together with a common goal — to build a small satellite and launch it into space.

Alumnus Mukund Padmanabhan, an accomplished electrical engineer who now works in finance, has made a gift of $500,000 through his foundation to create a new scholarship at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering.