about me

Hi, I am Eliza! I am a recent Spring 2025 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering and a minor in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.

With a love for tinkering around in design spaces, my career passions include human-centered engineering design, biomedical technology, and ethical engineering. I strive with intentionality to design engineering solutions that put people and patient health as the top priority.

Beyond my studies, I love to dance (open-style, hip-hop, and Philippine traditional dance), assemble custom keyboards, and enjoy live music.

Header photo credit: Megan S. (April 2023)

A portrait of Eliza at UC Berkeley, wearing Philippine-inspired accessories by Marharlika and BRWNGRLZ and the UC Berkeley graduation stole.

Photo Credit: Ricky Chen // @ttl.media (April 2025)

Eliza Zita Coleto, Conservation + Innovation ’24 (BioE): “I want to create ground-breaking…On human-centered design, learning something new, and thinking “constellationally”

#HumansofFung

Eliza had the privilege of being interviewed by the Fung Fellowship about their story, their journey as an engineering undergrad at UC Berkeley, and their time as a Fung Fellow!

Eliza's #HumansofFung Feature

"Eliza Zita Coleto came to UC Berkeley with the intention of saving lives. Though their parents hoped they would do so as a doctor, the years of medical school the job required prompted Eliza to pivot to engineering, a profession where they could work behind the scenes in pursuit of the same goal. Now a bioengineering student and a Fung Fellow, Eliza strives to innovate and improve biomedical devices using human-centered design.

This is their story."

what is constellational thinking?

In 2012, author and novelist Teju Cole wrote about “Kony 2012,” a video calling for the arrest of Joseph Kong, a Ugandan rebel leader. Sparking attention on numerous media platforms, Cole's commentary argued that Western influence and media fail to "think constellationally" about power, privilege, and oppression.

To think constellationally is to internalize that scientific, social, economic, and environmental issues are all intertwined. Eliza is devoted to integrating ethical solutions in their design and engineering work in areas such as:

rapid prototyping of healthcare solutions for low-resource communities
climate change and rising technology

An onstage photo from UC Berkeley's 47th annual Pilipinx Cultural Night (PCN) presenting the Philippine dance Pandanggo sa Ilaw, choreographed and staged by Eliza.

Photo Credit: Megan S. (2023)

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