Ashley Leach
Ashley Leach is a highly motivated engineer completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Florida. She is well versed in report writing, design fabrication, and drafting standards. Ashley is interested in furthering her career as a process & product engineer as it applies to the fields of aerospace and/or medical manufacturing. She has completed two unique and involved summer internships with Pratt & Whitney, and currently works as an engineer at a machine shop local to Gainesville, Florida. After graduating this spring, Ashley plans to enter the workforce while simultaneously completing her master’s degree in mechanical engineering through UF.
Jake Heiny
Jake Heiny is a passionate engineer completing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering this Spring at the University of Florida. He is well versed in design practices, repair engineering, and propulsion engineering. Jake is interested in continuing his passion for design engineering and building his skills through team-based projects. He has completed an internship in repair engineering with GE Aerospace and has experience working with teams through Florida Rocket Lab. Jake hopes to pursue a career in the space industry once he graduates.
Athan Owens
Athanasios “Athan” Owens is an aspiring design engineer pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Florida. Originally from Greece, Athan has a passion for using engineering to help others, through developing innovations that improve people’s lives. Through an engineering internship with CertainTeed Saint-Gobain, Athan gained experience in reliability engineering, project implementation, and root cause analysis. He is gaining research skills in the biomedical field by modeling blood flow in the brain to study hydrocephalus. Athan looks forward to applying his technical knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving abilities to build products that help others.
Sophia Carvalho
Sophia Carvalho is currently in her 4th year of study majoring in Chemical Engineering at the University of Florida and will be graduating in December 2024. She has been involved with research since her sophomore year when she started as an Undergraduate Researcher at the Jiang Lab working with nanomaterials applications ranging from cosmetics to coatings. Currently, she has started a new research position in Dr. Mark Orazem’s Lab working with the applications of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy technique to study the behavior of electrode reactions. This past summer, Sophia did an internship with Cummins Inc. working as a Technical and Environmental Systems Intern mainly addressing contamination and analyzing the sustainability impact data from materials used in engine ISK15. In her early career, Sophia looks forward to gaining experience as an engineer and a problem solver.
Kira Berg
Kira Berg is a biosystems engineering student at the University of Florida, set to graduate in May 2024. Kira’s practical experience includes serving as an MSAT Process Engineer Intern at Lonza, where she played a pivotal role in improving processes and ensuring product quality. Her contributions included creating SOPs, analyzing batch records, updating client reports, and optimizing tablet coating. Her goal after graduation is to leverage her engineering skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact on the world. Beyond her academic and professional endeavors, Kira finds joy in active pursuits such as Pilates, volleyball, weightlifting, and exploring new destinations through travel. Kira’s passion for these activities extends to her enthusiasm for engaging with new people and fostering connections.
Evan Dodani
Evan Dodani is an excited, driven engineer currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Florida, projected to graduate in December 2024. He has experience in a plethora of engineering disciplines such as real-world design experience, failure and mode analysis software, and multi-function Python coding. After two very different internships, one in steel mill reliability and the other in autonomous robot R&D, Evan has become experientially well-rounded. Evan is thoroughly passionate about design projects involving dynamic problem solving, and his expertise lies in his ability to communicate technical knowledge effectively and applying academic theory to real-world issues. After graduation, Evan will either pursue a career in the biomedical or space industry, or he will pursue a Master’s in ME with a concentration in Controls and Dynamical Systems.