Martin Leung is one of many Contra Costa College (CCC) STEM success stories. It was Martin’s time at Contra Costa College—where he received hands-on learning and access to professors—that launched his current career as a satellite engineer.
Having grown up in Richmond, Martin attended Middle College High School. He was an active member of the Interact Club who attended monthly San Pablo Rotary meetings and encouraged students to participate in service-learning projects. He also tutored peers in basic math through the Library and Learning Resource Center (LLRC). In 2023, Martin received his high school diploma and AA in Math & Science from CCC and then transferred to UCLA, where he received his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 2025.
It was his exposure to CCC STEM classes and Professor Mark Wong that transformed his educational journey and career. “I didn’t know much about STEM education and careers before coming to CCC,” Martin shared.
Martin also received the Ansel Boynton Memorial Scholarship from the CCC Foundation. Not only has he appreciated the financial support but also the relationship he has developed via regular lunches with the scholarship’s longstanding donors, Bob and Gay Boynton. “Their son, Ansel, was also an engineer, and that’s a special connection for me.” Thanks to this scholarship, Cal Grants and other awards, Martin graduated from UCLA with zero debt.
Martin treasures his relationship with Professor Mark Wong who continues to offer incredible advice and support. He returns to campus each semester to share his story with Mark’s classes and with MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement) students. He plans to eventually pursue a master’s degree and can see himself coming back to CCC to teach. He also aspires to support CCC students as a future scholarship donor.
Currently, Martin is Founding Engineer and employee #3 at Basalt, a Y Combinator and venture-backed start-up that engineers the world’s first fully-autonomous satellite constellations with no human operator. The five-member team lives and works in an apartment converted into a satellite manufacturing cleanroom in San Francisco, where they design and build. They have identified an untapped market for their product and will be launching a three-satellite constellation through Space X rideshare in May 2026.
“I don’t have the cushion or privilege that some of my peers have, but CCC gave me confidence”, Martin shared. “Without my CCC background, I would not have succeeded.”