While most engineers don’t typically indulge in gardening, Navid Shaghaghi M.S. ’14 uniquely merges engineering with horticulture. When he’s not lecturing at Santa Clara University, Shaghaghi relishes the opportunity to dig into the dirt, adorned in his broad-brimmed leather hat, khaki linen shirt, and cargo pants. With tools such as shears, a hoe, and gardening gloves at his disposal, he resembles a modern-day Indiana Jones.
As the director of the EPIC Lab—short for Ethical, Pragmatic, and Intelligent Computing Laboratory—Shaghaghi applies his engineering expertise to address real-world challenges. His projects range from safeguarding consumer data on mobile devices to monitoring lake oxygen levels. The lab focuses on humanitarian technology, producing innovative solutions that enhance lives and support communities, reflecting Shaghaghi’s personal mission.
“Starting my education in California’s community college system allowed me to witness the everyday struggles of ordinary citizens,” he recalls. “This experience ignited my commitment to use engineering tools to improve lives, marking my journey towards humanitarian work.” After a brief career in industry, Shaghaghi returned to Santa Clara University to align his professional endeavors with this mission.
Through his role as a faculty advisor for the School of Engineering’s Frugal Innovation Hub (FIH), he is now pioneering a project that moves his work into a transformative realm. Together with students, Shaghaghi is developing a sensor system for Veggielution, an urban farm that spans six acres within Emma Prusch Farm Park in San Jose.
Veggielution directly addresses food insecurity by distributing thousands of pounds of fresh, organic produce every year, primarily supporting families in the Mayfair neighborhood—a community known as a food desert. However, the farm faces significant challenges, particularly with water management, especially given California’s drought situation. Efficient irrigation is vital to ensure soil health and crop yields, yet excessive watering can strain the nonprofit’s resources.
With industry moisture sensors often priced between $300 and $2,500, the EPIC Lab team recognized a pressing need for affordable solutions. Over the past two years, the “Hydration Automation” project has focused on creating low-cost sensing units, empowering Veggielution to save both money and time on water management. This initiative not only produces a marketable product but also fosters meaningful local impact, offering Santa Clara engineering students invaluable hands-on experience.
“Our mission is about more than developing profitable technology; it’s about creating accessible solutions that positively affect life on Earth,” explains Allan Báez Morales, FIH’s director of programs and partnerships. Students involved in the Veggielution project learn about community-level needs while enhancing their practical skills in communication, project management, and user experience, working directly with community members.
As technology continues to evolve, agricultural tech is anticipated to become a $20 billion industry. However, high costs often prevent smaller farmers from accessing advanced tools. The Hydration Automation project aims to bridge this gap by leveraging off-the-shelf components to create an affordable solution that addresses water management while contributing to larger discussions about climate change, food security, and social equity in agriculture.
Having recently installed the prototype sensor system at Veggielution, Shaghaghi expressed excitement about the significant milestones achieved with his students. The project’s success will transition into a phase of automation where the system will autonomously manage irrigation, illustrating how powerful educational experiences can extend beyond the classroom to create tangible benefits in the community. “Being on the farm not only energizes me but also demonstrates the profound learning that occurs through real-world engagement,” he concludes.
