Drexel Engineering

Heading into the weekend like...

Congrats to our newest Drexel Alumni! We are so proud of everything you've accomplished and can't wait to see how you change the world!

"I was able to find my calling in robotics and interact with so many different cultures. I think I've expanded my horizons a lot because of Drexel."

Originally from Sri Lanka, Eashan Gallage came to the United States after studying in China for 2 years. Philadelphia's lively atmosphere would become the backdrop to Eashan's growing passion for robotics, which he demonstrated during his co-op with Kulicke & Soffa and his leadership of Drexel's Lunabotics team. When he's not programming autonomous robots, Eashan can likely be found singing and playing guitar, talents he once showcased during a CAB Open Mic event.

Congratulations, Eashan!

Read more about Eashan at https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2024/June/mechanical-engineer-graduate-finds-path-in-robotics/

We’re ready! Class of 2024, this is your moment!

"Every co-op I had, and every year of coursework, allowed me to evolve and brought me to places that wouldn't have been possible without [Drexel's] structure."

Cailey Ruderman didn't know much about engineering before she came to Drexel. Initially a chemical engineering major, she quickly realized that materials science and engineering would be a better fit for her interest in chemistry. From representing Drexel's Society of Women Engineers (SWE) chapter at conferences across the country to completing an Intensive Course Abroad (ICA) in Italy, Cailey rarely ever stayed still - in fact, she moved every 6 months during her time at Drexel. She once took a flight from Rome to Newark at the conclusion of her ICA course, only to hop on a plane to California two hours later to start her co-op at Apple.

Congratulations, Cailey!

Read more about Cailey at https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2024/June/travel-and-research-level-up-graduating-materials-student/

Congratulations to Sofia Martinez, who received a 2024 Cooperative Education Student Award for her work at AKRF, Inc.! Sofia has been recognized by the Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC) for her strong work ethic, great attitude, and impressive communication skills, which allowed AKRF to not only meet deadlines for their projects with the Philadelphia Water Department, but also get ahead of schedule on numerous occasions.

For some of our chemical engineering majors, the best way to blow off steam is to compete against their professors in pickleball and volleyball. Dragons, how do you find ways to stay active?

"Drexel's taught me to be more responsible and thoughtful about my future. I was a bit immature when I came here, but I've realized that, if you want to be successful, you have to put in the work. In that way, Drexel's really turned me into an adult."

Anthony Campagna came into Drexel as an undecided engineering major, but thanks to his interest in chemistry and the suggestion of a friend, Anthony switched to the chemical engineering program. His senior design team's project, which we previously spotlighted on our website, focused on using bagasse, a waste product from sugarcane processing, to create a unique alcoholic seltzer drink. After graduation, Anthony will begin the next chapter of his career as a Mechanical Design Engineer at Holtec.

Congratulations, Anthony!

Read more about Anthony's senior design project here: https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2024/March/sugarcane-byproduct-to-seltzer-beverage-senior-design/

Wanna send congratulations to your favorite graduate(s) and be featured on our social channels? Visit our graduation site to submit your messages and photos: https://www.coe.drexel.edu/commencement/ !

"I've grown tremendously as a leader and as an engineer, and it's all thanks to Drexel. Everything Drexel provided - class projects, research, extracurriculars, events - has shaped who I am today."

Sarah Malik has spent the past 9 (!!!) years studying at Drexel, where she earned her Bachelor's in business and engineering in 2020, her Master's in mechanical engineering in 2022, and now, her PhD in mechanical engineering. Inspired by the women in leadership she met and learned about during a high school class trip to Thomson Reuters, Sarah strives to be a mentor for women in STEM and an inspiration for the next generation of leaders.

Sarah served as a student advocate for graduate students, spoke during admitted student days and open houses, earned a Supernova badge for her involvement in research, and helped advance the University's strategic initiatives as a Nina Henderson Provost Scholar, among other achievements. With co-op experiences at Thomson Reuters and Comcast under her belt, Sarah will be joining Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory as a Data Automation and AI Engineer.

Congratulations, Sarah!

Wanna send congratulations to your favorite graduate(s) and be featured on our social channels? Visit our graduation site to submit your messages and photos: https://www.coe.drexel.edu/commencement/

On Friday, hundreds of students, faculty and staff gathered at our annual Celebration of Engineering, featuring showcase events for first year design, undergraduate research and senior design. We are so proud of the incredible, thoughtful work that our engineers do every day.

Congratulations to the winners of our competitions:

First Year Design

🏆 First Place – "Polyurethane Foam: Synthesis & Impact" - Abbey Merrigan, Anandi Bajpai, Ghena Alsoub, Raquel Bach
🥈 Second Place – "D.F.A. (Dynamic Functioning Arm)" - Tommy Scherphorn, Joshua Levin, Mike Scalia, Dante Floro, Cody Stank
🥉 Third Place – "StairGlide" – Zamil Uddin, Charlie Krsulich, Henry Luu, Leighton Fischer, Colin Pfister

Undergraduate Research

🏆 First Place – "Biomimetic Simulations of Protein Aggregation" – Kevin Snow
🥈 Second Place – "Observing Solar Eclipses using Weather Balloons" – Kiana Ahmari, Luphi Gao, Hui Yuan Feng, Sophie Kujawski, Muhammad Abdullah, Nursultan Zhanabay, Tyler Goerlich, Anaya Mason, Nicus Parcon, Youchen Pan
🥉 Third Place – "Molecular Simulations of a Biomimetic Polymer during Force Spectroscopy" – Petyo Manev

Senior Design General Competition

🏆 First Place – "Microneedle Patch for Therapeutic Delivery" - Olivia Briggs, Amelia Smith-Tine
🥈 Second Place – "Re-design, and Improvement of Direct Metal 3D Printer Machine - Filament Feeding Device, Print Head Design, and Air Protection System" - Van Ly, Justin Rivera, Odae Hassan
🥉 Third Place – "3D Filament Recycling System" - Josh Lawrence, Andrew Dec, Dan Davies, Shubh Patel

Senior Design Champion Competition

🏆 First Place – "Synthesis of Biopolymer Biocomposites Using Food Waste-Derived Cellulose Nanofibers" - Jessica Waite, Eiara Fajardo, Jake McBride
🥈 Second Place – "MEOWS: The AI-Powered Cat Training Robot" - Lev Saunders, Jack Pinkstone, Noah Robinson, Ben Esposito, Abhishek Dave
🥉 Third Place – "Biowaste to Hard Seltzer" - Matthew Billemeyer, Anthony Campagna, Francis Dolan, Kevin Snow

"Drexel really weaves together academics and the professional world - it was the perfect balance."

While Hannah Abrams wasn't exposed to engineering in high school, her interests in chemistry, math, and why things work led to her researching the field and determining that it may be a good fit. Hannah is very glad with her decision and the experiences that came along with it, such as conducting immunoengineering research in Dr. Peter Deak's lab and finding her place at Merck through the co-op program. An avid runner, Hannah also enjoyed Philadelphia's running trails and races, even completing the Philadelphia Marathon last November. After graduation, Hannah will join Merck's Technical Operations Rotational Program.

Congratulations, Hannah!

Wanna send congratulations to your favorite graduate(s) and be featured on our social channels? Visit our graduation site to submit your messages and photos: https://www.coe.drexel.edu/commencement/ !

"My parents always told me that, if you're passionate about what you do for work, it's not gonna feel like work. Drexel really helped me find that passion, the work I want to do for the rest of my life."

Sydney Bradshaw got early exposure to architecture and engineering through course offerings at her high school, which led her to the field of architectural engineering - the perfect blend of designing systems, problem-solving, and combining creative thinking with technical prowess. Through her co-ops and an Introduction to HVAC course taught by Dr. Simi Hoque, Sydney became interested in HVAC systems, the focus of her senior design project. Sydney and her team participated in a student design competition for ASHRAE, whose Drexel chapter she helped restart following the COVID-19 pandemic. She will be returning to her third co-op employer, Burns Engineering, as a Mechanical Design Associate after graduation.

Congratulations, Sydney!

Wanna send congratulations to your favorite graduate(s) and be featured on our social channels? Visit our graduation site to submit your messages and photos: https://lnkd.in/exWhpZqd!

"Drexel has given me the confidence to ask questions and connect with people from backgrounds I wouldn't have had the opportunity to expose myself to otherwise."

Growing up, Elizabeth Clarkson was frustrated by people rejecting their responsibility in preventing climate change. Her interest in addressing how human systems interact with the environment and its resources led her to Drexel's environmental engineering program, through which she gained many valuable experiences. Among them were working in various sectors of the energy industry, conducting an independent study on agrivoltaics, serving as a Student Ambassador for the College of Engineering, and navigating all the crooks and crannies of the Main Building. After graduation, Elizabeth will begin working as a civil engineer at Westwood Professional Services in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

Congratulations, Elizabeth!

Wanna send congratulations to your favorite graduate(s) and be featured on our social channels? Visit our graduation site to submit your messages and photos: https://www.coe.drexel.edu/commencement/ !

Drexel's ASEM/INCOSE graduating student chapter leaders were recognized this week for their dedication and contributions.

Olivia Caracappa (ASEM / INCOSE Student Chapter President) is a senior Material Science and Engineering Major with a minor in Engineering Management and concentration in Advanced Material Design CAD focus. She is from Freehold, NJ, and will be in the Philadelphia area for the foreseeable future. In addition to being President of the Drexel ASEM / INCOSE chapter, Olivia is an athlete on the Drexel Division 1 Dance Team and member of Society of Women in Engineering.

Ishika Nevatia (ASEM / INCOSE Student Chapter Vice President) is a senior Biomedical Engineering Major with a minor in Psychology and concentrations in Neuroengineering and Tissue Engineering. She is from Marlboro NJ and looking to be involved in research and possibly medical school in the future. In addition to being Vice President of the Drexel ASEM/INCOSE student chapters, she is also a member of a few other engineering organizations on campus and the Student Advisory Board for the Drexel School of Biomedical Engineering. Outside of school, Ishika likes to bake/cook, engage in arts and crafts, volunteer, travel, and hang out with friends

Roger Vitek (ASEM / INCOSE Student Chapter Event Coordinator) (not pictured) is a Product Design senior, 3.8 Magna Cum Laude with a concentration in manufacturing for embedded systems. In his free time, he enjoys tinkering with DIY electronics and writing code. Roger is additionally a lifelong pianist and enjoys finding new ways to unite music with engineering

Sincere thank you to Olivia, Ishika and Roger for their service and dedication to the success of our Student Chapter Organization Societies!

Congratulations to the Steel Bridge Team, who finished in 11th place out of 200 schools in their national competition this year. The team assembled their 218-pound bridge in under 10 minutes. The finish is Drexel's best since 2010. Way to go, Dragons!

"Drexel has been extremely beneficial because it provided me with all the resources I needed to succeed in so many aspects - academically, professionally, and socially. My experiences here have shaped me as a professional and as a leader."

Petyo Manev had always been interested in healthcare, math, and chemistry, and he found that all of his interests came together through chemical engineering. Drexel's co-op program gave Petyo diverse experiences in Philadelphia's thriving pharmaceutical industry, from process development at Sanofi to quality assurance at Merck to business development and strategy at AskBio. In addition to serving as a tutor and peer coach through the Academic Resource Center (ARC), Petyo served as the president of several student organizations throughout his time at Drexel, including Beta Theta Pi, Drexel's Interfraternity Council (IFC), and the Drexel Karate Club (through which he achieved his dream of winning a national competition in 2022).

Congratulations, Petyo!
⁠
Wanna send congratulations to your favorite graduate(s) and be featured on our social channels? Visit our graduation site to submit your messages and photos: https://www.coe.drexel.edu/commencement/ !
⁠

"Applying my knowledge to real-world projects boosted my confidence in what I have to offer to employers, which allowed me to secure a good job after graduation."

Initially wanting to become a grade school teacher, Bryan Berman earned his bachelor's degree in Mathematics & Computer Science with Teaching at Temple University, yet he struggled with burnout post-graduation. An environmental engineering course Bryan took during his senior year at Temple peaked his interest in fighting against global warming and climate change, so he decided to bite the bullet and apply for Drexel's environmental engineering master's program, eventually switching into the PhD. Bryan's research focused on developing a model for simulating organic and inorganic indoor pollution, and he will move into a 2-year postdoctoral position with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) after finishing his degree.

Congratulations, Bryan!

Wanna send congratulations to your favorite graduate(s) and be featured on our social channels? Visit our graduation site to submit your messages and photos: https://www.coe.drexel.edu/commencement/ !

“I truly love this place because it's unique and has its own character, which is a product of the people that live here.”

Julie McCree knew she wanted to attend college in a large city, and having visited Philadelphia throughout her childhood, she was drawn to the community Philly had to offer. Julie made the most out of her opportunities, giving back through her participation in Drexel's Engineers Without Borders and Sharing Excess chapters as well as completing co-ops with Amtrak and STV. Julie will continue her journey with STV as an Electrical Engineering Specialist.

Congratulations, Julie!

Read more about Julie at https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2024/May/electrical-engineering-senior-passion-transportation-philadelphia/

When his family fled Syria, Abduljaleel Shoufan vowed he would return to help the lives impacted by what is now a decades-long conflict. Now, he's earned a full ride to Drexel, where he'll learn the civil engineering skills to make a difference. Congrats and welcome to Drexel, Abduljaleel! Read more about his story at https://www.inquirer.com/education/science-leadership-academy-beeber-student-drexel-scholarship-20240530.html



Photo and story from the Philadelphia Inquirer

“When you get thrown into the fire, you start to discover what you can do, and when you unlock that potential, you're a beast.”

Kris Melag didn't envision himself at Drexel when he visited the campus in 2018, but after some convincing from his mom, he found himself in Philadelphia, where he grew as a person and as a professional while experiencing new things and forging lifelong friendships. During his time at Drexel, Kris served as president of Drexel's American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) chapter and as secretary of Tau Beta Pi.

Congratulations, Kris!

Read more about Kris at https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2024/May/senior-inspired-to-create-change-through-engineering-mentorship/.

We know that choosing the right school is not an easy decision to make. You need a place that will challenge you and match your drive — a place that will not only provide an education but will show you how to use this knowledge to engage with the world around you. At Drexel, you will find the challenge you're looking for. This is your chance to gain impactful experience. We hope you'll join the Drexel community.

This is your moment. Confirm your enrollment by June 1.

https://drexel.edu/moment/

Reminder: You can send your congratulations to the Class of 2024 and be featured on our social channels! Submit a message and a photo of your favorite graduating student (or students) soon!⁠

Visit https://www.coe.drexel.edu/commencement/ to submit!

Wishing good luck to the Drexel Steel Bridge Team, who, after winning their regional competition in April, are headed to the national competition this weekend. The Student Steel Bridge Competition National Finals, organized by the American Institute of Steel Construction in collaboration with the American Society of Civil Engineers, challenges teams to build a bridge to certain specifications while taking into account speed, load bearing, and aesthetics. Go Dragons!

CoE is here for , rain or shine ☔️⁠
⁠
Thank you to everyone who came out to last weekend's New Dragon Block Party! We hope you got a taste of what it's like to . 🐉

“I’ve always wanted to make something not just for myself, but for others, to empower them to lead productive and fulfilling lives.”

Ethan Yen's interest in architectural engineering led him to Drexel all the way from California, where housing inequities inspired his goal of using architecture to make an impact. After becoming involved in research at Drexel's Advanced Infrastructure Materials (AIM) Lab, Ethan is set to begin his PhD at the University of Southern California, where he'll be conducting innovative research on 3D printing techniques for large-scale applications of reinforced concrete structures.

Congratulations, Ethan!

Read more about Ethan at https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2024/May/graduating-senior-harnesses-power-of-research-to-make-impact/.

Graduates! It's time for the 2024 Drexel Cap Contest! Post a photo of your decorated graduation cap and tag on Instagram with the hashtag and for your chance to win a Drexel Alumni Swag Bag. The deadline to post your photo is Thursday, June 6.

More info: https://drexel.edu/studentlife/activities-involvement/senior-year-experience/cap-contest

🎓 Calling all College of Engineering Alumni! 🎓

Join us in celebrating the 2nd Annual COE Legacy Achievement Banquet Awards, honoring the outstanding contributions of underrepresented students, faculty, and staff of color and women in STEM. 🌟

We're offering three sponsorship packages for alumni who are interested in supporting Drexel Engineers:

Drexel Diamond: $2,000 💎
Drexel Gold: $1,000 🥇
Drexel Silver: $500 🥈

The event will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the University City Science Center in Philadelphia.

By sponsoring the COE Legacy Achievement Banquet Awards, you'll directly support College of Engineering students at Drexel University. 💙

To learn more and register, please visit https://alumni.drexel.edu/s/1683/form/16/landing.aspx?sid=1683&gid=2&pgid=4910&content_id=4737&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3kAj137Uu0--9ExBmDeMoZ0UtOn8ELpGj8HRhUO8hFlGNDlMvKe_Ohd5c_aem_AZ4uCbM6YSYnx9Lykt7t7IxMbMcR3Z0sqfqKL_c00ngw6V1Za6gdVdnnx0igxnffcz9_kOQyggbeeLEu-PhZSk_U

Let's celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM together!

COE Legacy Achievement Banquet Awards The LAB Awards (Legacy Achievement Banquet), formerly known as the “DEI Legacy Awards Banquet,” was established in May 2023 by the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for the College of Engineering, Terrance Harris. The purpose is to honor underrepresented students, faculty, and...

On Friday, May 10, 2024, we hosted the "From Seed to Harvest: Longsview Fellowship & Carleone Faculty Awardee Grant Showcase."

Our talented faculty presented their groundbreaking research in the fields of Health, Wellness, & Medicine; Renewable Energy & Power; Resource Stewardship & Sustainability; and Smart Cities. 🩺🔋♻️🏙️

Longsview Fellows and Carleone Faculty Awardees shared their innovative projects through engaging presentations and poster pitches. Topics ranged from precision biomaterials for T cell engineering and aqueous quantum dots for gene delivery to AI-based digital twins for underground excavation and grid-scale energy storage solutions.
We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our faculty and collaborators. The Longsview Fellowship and Carleone Faculty Awards continue to plant the seeds for a brighter, more sustainable future! 🌍✨

Our Class of 2024 walks across the stage in just one month! Here's your chance to send them your well wishes: visit our commencement website to submit photos of your favorite graduates and leave them - and the rest of the class - a message. The best photos will be on display during our commencement ceremony at The Mann Center.

Visit https://www.coe.drexel.edu/commencement/ to submit!

🌎 Join us on May 15 as we come together to make a difference. Whether it's enhancing academic programs, student life, or campus facilities, your contribution helps shape the future of Drexel. Learn more at DREXEL.EDU/24.