A chemical engineering PhD candidate from the University of California, Santa Barbara, was found dead on Aug. 3 in the Big Pine Lakes area of Inyo National Forest, days after he was reported missing during a solo hike. Vikram Mubayi, 26, was last in contact with his family on Aug. 1. His family reported him missing to the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office when he failed to return from his trip and communication ceased. His brother confirmed the discovery of Mubayi's remains in an online post, stating, "Thank you to everyone here for the support, unfortunately he was found deceased."
Inyo County Search and Rescue personnel and the California Highway Patrol were involved in the search for Mubayi. Authorities have not released a cause or manner of death, and investigators said there is currently no evidence of foul play. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.
Mubayi was a doctoral candidate in UCSB’s Department of Chemical Engineering, where his research focused on using anaerobic bacteria to break down lignin in plant matter and convert plant waste and plastics into sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based materials. He also served as a teaching assistant and mentor. He earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2022, where he also worked as a research assistant and teaching assistant. A university yearbook profile indicated his hope to apply chemical and biological engineering to environmental sustainability and climate change.
Mubayi was also an avid hiker, cyclist, and tennis player. In 2022, he participated in a cross-country bike ride from New York to San Francisco with Illini 4000, a student-led nonprofit, to raise funds for cancer research and patient support services. He shared his GPS coordinates via a Garmin satellite device during his hike near Agassiz Col. His vehicle was found at the trailhead.