Barbara Prexl
Aerospace Engineering, 4th Year
Barbara is a fourth-year Aerospace Engineering student at the University of Florida, projected to graduate in December 2025. She has a keen interest in high-powered rocketry (HPR) and is currently pursuing her Level 1 HPR certification with the National Association of Rocketry. This involves manufacturing, assembling, and successfully launching a personal rocket. Barbara is actively involved in the UF rocketry community, serving as the Educational Engagement Lead for the Swamp Launch Rocket Team, where she plans and executes STEM-related activities with local middle and high schools. Her hands-on skills were put to the test during her 2024 summer internship as an Aircraft Mechanic Intern with ESAV Airlines in the Galapagos Islands. There, Barbara performed inspections and repairs on Piper Seneca II island-hopper planes. In addition to handling preflight procedures, inventory management, and marshalling aircraft, she frequently had to modify tools and resources due to the island’s limited mechanical supplies. On one occasion, she participated in an emergency flight to another island to complete a critical wheel replacement. And when she wasn’t fixing planes, she made the most of island life by swimming with sea lions! Barbara thrives in leadership roles across all of her projects. Her ability to recognize and optimize team members’ strengths has made her a confident and capable leader, particularly when solving complex, high-pressure challenges.
Alexander Lyew
Mechanical Engineering, 4th Year
Alexander Lyew is a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Florida (UF), with an anticipated graduation in May 2025. Throughout his time at UF, he has challenged himself academically, engaged in extracurricular activities, conducted research, and is now seeking a full-time job. With a perfect GPA of 4.0, Alexander combines theoretical knowledge with extensive hands-on experience, making him a strong candidate for engineering roles in dynamic industries. With technical skills in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Matlab, Python, and advanced manufacturing processes, Alexander is well-equipped to tackle complex engineering challenges and is passionate about innovations that drive sustainability and efficiency.
Jonathan Marcovich
Aerospace Engineering, 4th Year
Jonathan is a senior at the University of Florida majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He has excelled in academics and acquired relevant experiences related to the field. He was an intern at a subsidiary of Heico called Jet Avion where he worked with project engineers to create replacement aircraft components. This experience left him with a desire to work on aircraft and spacecraft whether commercial or experimental. Thus, he joined the Swamp Launch rocket team on the Propulsion Manufacturing sub team where he helped design and manufacture test components for a small rocket. Jonathan is a self-motivated, committed, and educated individual who finds paths to success in any challenge presented to him. He is eagerly looking forward to finding meaningful experiences in the expansive field of Aerospace Engineering.
Jayson Duran
Mechanical Engineering, 4th Year
Jayson Duran is a dedicated and driven mechanical engineering student with a background in Design and Manufacturing. With a strong foundation in software modeling, Jayson has made a meaningful impact through their work on an air engine, where parts were read from CAD drawings and machined to tolerance. He has also made a difference on the MOST ML project, where he extends his knowledge in Python to code and run a statistical analysis on large databases. His passion for mechanical engineering is evident in his commitment to innovation and problem-solving, always striving to find practical solutions to complex challenges and applying his knowledge .
Rohan Jaison
Mechanical Engineering, 4th Year
Rohan Jaison is a senior Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Florida. He is an active member of the Solar Gators and the Indian Student Association, two student organizations at the university. As part of the Solar Gators, Rohan is responsible for designing and implementing a Canopy Latch mechanical system. This project involves applying engineering fundamentals and coordinating with various team subsystems and third-party vendors. After graduation, he plans to begin his career as a mechanical engineer, contributing to full-scale engineering projects. Later, he intends to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) to further his career in engineering and management.
Sean Muller
Mechanical Engineering, 4th Year
Sean Muller is in his fourth year of undergraduate mechanical engineering studies at the University of Florida, where he is the passionate captain of Gator Theme Park Engineering and Design’s Interactives Design Team, as well as an active contributor to the RoboPI laboratory, an electrical and computer engineering research lab focused on field robotics. In the past, he’s led three design teams to success, each focused on different aspects of theme park engineering and design – ride, restraint system, and loading platform control system design. Additionally, Sean has completed internships in hardware and software systems engineering with Lockheed Martin, a globally recognized defense and aerospace manufacturer. These internships provided him with valuable professional experience and insight into product development. Furthermore, Sean is the vice president of Pi Tau Sigma’s Florida Sigma Omicron chapter and a teaching assistant for two mechanical and aerospace engineering classes: Dynamics and Control Systems Design Laboratory, and Introduction to Numerical Methods of Engineering Analysis. Through these positions, Sean is able to share his love for learning and mentorship with his peers. Upon graduation, Sean will have completed his honors thesis focused on underwater robotics and control systems, earning highest honors – summa cum laude – for his academics and research.
Taddeo Landini
Mechanical Engineering, 4th Year
Taddeo Landini is currently in his fourth and final year of study at the University of Florida majoring in Mechanical Engineering. During his time in school, he has taken an active leadership position in the Mechanical Engineering Honors Society of the University of Florida, Pi Tau Sigma. Through this, he has mentored many incoming mechanical engineering students through their undergraduate classes. This practice of mentoring has spread to his work, where he has spent two semesters as a Teaching Assistant. Additionally, he has become a member of engineering design teams that range from designing a roller coaster cart, to designing and creating a powered paraglider, to prototyping a handheld device for arthritis patients. Taddeo has spent his time gaining various engineering skills and mentoring others through the organizations he participates in. He enjoys learning everything he can and sharing this thirst for knowledge with others. When he graduates next year, he hopes to apply this desire for knowledge at a company that aligns with his interests.