Scholar Profiles
George AlphonseElectrical and Computer EngineeringGeorge was born in Juba, South Sudan, but moved to Iowa at a very young age and grew up in Des Moines. Within his department he is majoring in Electrical Engineering. He was in the highest 2% of his first year engineering class. He is involved with many different clubs and organizations. He is a member of the Iowa State Solar Car Team, which gives him the opportunity to gain hands on engineering experience. He is also a student member of the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers {IEEE). As vice president of Friley Godfrey House, he gained leadership skills that he hopes to one day put to use in his career. His goal following graduation is to be employed in industry and work with renewable energy. |
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Venecia AlvarezElectrical and Computer EngineeringVenecia was born in Guam, but grew up in Huntley, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Within her department she is majoring in Computer Engineering with a minor in leadership studies. In the 3 semesters she has attended Iowa State University, she has been very involved in clubs and organizations. She was a member of the Engineering Ambassador and Mentor Program (TEAM), a member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the secretary of Friley Meeker House Cabinet, and the secretary of Critical Tinkers. In 2015-16 she will be employed as a peer mentor for the Computer Engineering Learning Community. Following graduation she wants to transition directly into a full-time position in industry as a computer engineer. |
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Colin ChristophMechanical EngineeringColin is from Wauconda, Illinois. He is majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in computer science. He is a member of Sigma Pi fraternity and actively involved in its scholarship program and finances. He chose Mechanical Engineering as a major because of his particularly fascination in knowing how things work and his interest in the practical application of science and mathematics. After graduation he hopes to start his own business or work as an engineering manager for an engineering company such as Google, Microsoft, or Boeing. |
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Thomas GirouxMechanical EngineeringThomas is from Raleigh, North Carolina. He is majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a double major in Spanish. He a member of the Presidential Leadership Class and the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He is also active in the Skydiving Club. Following graduation he hopes to attend graduate school. |
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Benjamin HalleyAerospace EngineeringBenjamin is from Waukee, Iowa. He graduated from Waukee High School, where I was active in athletics (football, track, and wrestling), music (all varieties of bands with his favorite being jazz band), and leadership positions (National Honor Society and National Council on Youth Leadership). At Iowa State University he is majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He is a member of the Beta Sigma Psi fraternity and active in their intramural, Homecoming, and Greek Week activities. He also teaches Sunday School for 2nd graders at the Memorial Lutheran Church. In 2015-16, he will serve as his fraternity’s Homecoming Co-chair and Assistant House Manager. |
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Kevin KorniejczukIndustrial and Manufacturing Systems EngineeringKevin is from Palos Hills, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. At Iowa State he is majoring in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering and has been on the Dean List both of his first two semesters. He is a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, and a student member of the Institute for Industrial Engineers. He is also active in Zeitgeist, the conversational German speaking club, serving as its Social Media Chair. |
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Michelle LarsenIndustrial and Manufacturing Systems EngineeringMichelle is from Bettendorf, Iowa. She is majoring in industrial engineering and pursuing a minor in Spanish. She is a member of the ISU cheerleading team and enjoys the opportunity to cheer for the football, basketball and gymnastics teams. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers and participates in the Women in Science and Engineering Program. She also actively involve in her living community, serving as its recycling chair. |
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Ashley LovingAgricultural and Biosystems EngineeringAshley is from Lockridge, Iowa, where she grew up on a small cattle farm and was active in 4-H and the Henry County Teen Council. Within her department she is majoring in Agricultural Engineering, with a specialization in livestock production. She is planning to complement her major with minors in Agricultural Business and Animal Science. She is a Destination Iowa State Leader, a member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and a student member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Following graduation she hopes to pursue a career in some area of sustainable development. |
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Leander MascarenhasMaterials Science and EngineeringLeander was born and brought up in the United Arab Emirates and came to the United states and Iowa State University to continue his higher education. He is studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering. He is a member of Material Advantage, the undergraduate student association for Materials Engineering students, and in 2015-16 will be the Material Advantage Events Chair. He is also a member of the ISU Cricket Club. After graduation he plans to continue his education and earn a Masters and a PhD in Materials Engineering. |
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Ashley McKennaMaterials Science and EngineeringAshley is from Vinton, Iowa. She has wanted to become an engineer since taking pre-engineering classes during high school. She is currently pursuing a degree in Materials Engineering with a minor in Non-Destructive Evaluation. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers and is active in the University Honors Program and Freshman Leaders in Engineering. |
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Evan MellottAgricultural and Biosystems EngineeringEvan is from Emerson, Iowa. He is majoring in the Power and Machinery option of Agriculture Engineering. He grew up on a small farm working with machines, where he gained hand on engineering knowledge by restoring antique tractors and gas pumps through his FFA chapter and 4-H club. In addition to his academic studies, he is active in a number of clubs and organizations on campus. He is a student member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and the Cyclone Power Pullers. He also volunteers for community serve activities including cleaning up road-side ditches and serving ice cream cones at ISU basketball games. He is a personal tutor for a Sudanese student, and a teaching assistant for a 3-D computer modeling class. He is a member of the ISU Crew Club and has traveled with the team to multiple regattas across the Midwest. After graduation he is would like to work for a small engineering firm designing and testing agriculture equipment, but is also considering working overseas for a few years to gain international knowledge and experience. |
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Isabel NeffAerospace EngineeringIsabel is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is majoring in Aerospace Engineering and is active in a number of student organizations. She participates in the Women in Science and Engineering community on campus, which has provided her the opportunity to meet with women in similar majors and with industry representatives. She also volunteers with ISU AfterDark and helps plan and host their events which provide free activities for Iowa State students. During 2015-16 she plans to work as a Calculus 2 tutor for the Academic Success Center and be involved with the College of Engineering as a peer mentor or tour guide. |
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Erica PetersonChemical and Biological EngineeringErica is from Bettendorf, Iowa. She was influenced to attend Iowa State and study engineering by her father, who is an ISU graduate in Computer Engineering. She is majoring in Chemical and Biological Engineering. She is in the University Honors Program and is also pursuing the engineering leadership certificate. She plays the piccolo in the ISU Marching Band and is an active member of the Society of Women Engineers and in 20150-16 will serve as its Community Outreach Chair. She is a member of the Habitat for Humanity club, and often spends time on weekends helping build Habitat for Humanity houses. As a member of the Engineering Ambassador and Mentor Program she also gives weekly tours to prospective engineering students. During the Summer 2015, she will work as an undergraduate research assistant in the Chemical and Biological Engineering department. Following graduation she wants work in industry designing and optimizing products. |
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Carly PolsonAgricultural and Biosystems EngineeringCarly is from Des Moines, Iowa. She is majoring in Biosystems Engineering and plans to specialize in Biorenewable Resources Engineering with a minor in Spanish. She is very involved in department activities serving as the Vice President of Engineering for the BioBus club, a student organization that utilizes used cooking oil from the ISU dining centers to make biodiesel for CyRide busses, and is an active member of the Biosystems Engineers Club. She also plays clarinet in the ISU Wind Ensemble. After graduation, her goal is to undertake a career in which she can help optimize processes for the creation and use of biorenewable energy. |
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Robert QuinnElectrical and Computer EngineeringRobert is from Downers Grove, Illinois. Within his department he is majoring in Software Engineering. He has been interested is computer programming since an early age and was already creating iPhone apps in high school. In addition to his academic studies, he is an active member of the Game Development Club and also enjoys participating in the Improv Comedy Club. During the summer 2015 he will undertake an internship in Texas working with The Advisory Board Company – Crimson on a project related to healthcare. |
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Daniel RobsonCivil, Construction, and Environmental EngineeringDaniel is from New Lenox, Illinois. Within his department he is majoring in Construction Engineering. After graduation, he plans to work in the construction industry and at some point hopes to start his own construction company. |
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Rahul SeshappaChemical and Biological EngineeringRahul is from Ames, Iowa. He is majoring is Chemical and Biological Engineering and has not yet chosen an area of specialization, but is interested in the study of polymers/plastics and renewable energy. He is a member of the BioBus Club, and is active in their work to convert used cooking oil into biodiesel. He is also a member of the Iowa State Ultimate Frisbee Club. His community service activities include serving as a counselor at Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, a program coordinated by Rotary Clubs around the globe, which organizes leadership conferences and sponsors high school students to attend and develop the skills to make an impact in their local communities. Following graduation he hopes to work in the oil refining industry or with a company working with polymers/plastics or renewable energy. |
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Jacob SmidtAerospace EngineeringJacob is from Bettendorf, Iowa. He hopes to combine his study of Aerospace Engineering with practical experience though coop and internships. Following graduation he would like to work for a large corporation such as Boeing or SpaceX. |
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Jacob SprengelerCivil, Construction, and Environmental EngineeringJacob is from Walford, Iowa. He was influenced to study engineering by his father, who is an electrical engineer. He is an Eagle Scout and particularly enjoys many of outdoor activities. Within his department he is majoring in Civil Engineering and has a particular interest in surveying and structural design. He is in the University Honors Program and a student member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He has a passion for music and plays trumpet in the ISU Marching Band as well a pep bands and concert bands on campus. Following graduation he would like to become a licensed engineer and his ideal employment would be to work for a small firm in a city such as Cedar Rapids or Dubuque, which offers an urban setting, but maintains connections to small town communities and rural areas. |
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Ashley SwiftIndustrial and Manufacturing Systems EngineeringAshley is from Bondurant, Iowa. She plans to combine her Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering with a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She hopes to study abroad and combine her academic studies with practical experience through an internship. She is a member of the ISU Marching Band, the Men’s Basketball Pep Band and ISU Concert Band. She is actively involved with the Women in Science and Engineering Learning Community, the Industrial Engineers are Leaders Learning Community, and the Society of Women Engineers, where she in actively involved in their career development activities and the creation of study groups. |
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Madeline TurnerMechanical EngineeringMadeline is from Marion, Iowa. In addition to her academic studies in Mechanical Engineering, she is a member of both the Society of Women in Engineering and Women in Science and Engineering. She is in the University Honors Program and in 2014-15 had the opportunity to work with a professor in mechanical engineering on research related to nanoparticle synthesis and will continue doing this research work in 2015-16. |
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Phuong VoCivil, Construction, and Environmental EngineeringPhuong is from Aurora, Illinois. Within her department he is majoring in Civil Engineering. In addition to academics, she is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In the Ames community, she is a volunteer at the Fellows Elementary School each week where she is a teacher’s assistant working with first grade students. During the summer 2015 she will work as an intern at Terracon, a consulting engineering firm, where she will be perform laboratory and field analysis. Following graduation, she hopes to work for an engineering firm and use the skills and knowledge she learned as a student to design and build structures that are both eco-friendly and safe. |
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Rebecca WhitesellMaterials Science and EngineeringRebecca is from Westminster, Colorado. In addition to her academic studies in Materials Science and Engineering, during 2014-15 she was involved in the First Year Honors program and the Freshman Honors Mentor program which provided her the opportunity for employment in a student position at the Ames Laboratory, where she is pursuing research in metals and nondestructive evaluation. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Kappa, a sorority for women in technical majors. She is also a member of the Society of Women Engineers and active in the Women in Science and Engineering program. Following graduation, she hope to pursue a masters or doctorate degree in Materials Engineering or Wind Energy Science, Engineering, and Policy. |
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Thomas ZemanChemical and Biological EngineeringThomas is from Palatine, Illinois. In addition to his academic studies in Chemical and Biological Engineering, he was member of the Freshmen Council and Freshmen Leaders in Engineering. Following graduation, he hopes to work in the areas of energy or bio-renewables, with the goal of becoming a leader in his chosen field and an active member of the community in which he lives. |
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