Academics / Graduate StudyMechanical Engineering Graduate Student Society (MEGSS)
The Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student Society (MEGSS) provides a student voice on departmental issues like faculty selection and curriculum matters. In this way, the concerns of the graduate students help shape the way the ME graduate program is run. To facilitate this, members of MEGSS attend select faculty meetings and sit on the Graduate Studies Committee and the Faculty Search Committees.
In addition to offering feedback to the faculty and department, we actively plan and sponsor social events to promote intra-departmental interaction between faculty, staff, and students across all years and research areas.
We also provide information and guidance to incoming and current ME graduate students to help them make informed decisions about their academic careers.
All mechanical engineering grads are encouraged to participate in our activities. Any feedback or suggestions for improvement that you might have are also welcome.
Officers
Gabrielle Leinbach
Recruitment ChairPronouns: She/Her
Advisor: Sinan Keten
Year: PhD, First Year
Research Interests: Computational modeling of protein-based materials
Impromptu Lecture Topic: Why people with dance experience shouldn’t be allowed on Dancing with the Stars
Favorite Food or Drink: Pad Thai
Gwen Liu
Vice-PresidentPronouns: she/they
Advisor: Sinan Keten
Year: PhD, 2nd Year
Research Interests: Bio-inspired and nanoscale material design
Impromptu Lecture Topic: Limitations of the metro systems in cities across the US
Favorite Food or Drink: Mango Sago
Anna Lutz
Social Chair (Coffee hour, quarterly socials)Pronouns: she/her
Advisor: Junsoo Kim
Year: PhD, 2nd Year
Research Interests: Nanocomposite Soft Materials
Impromptu Lecture Topic: “The surprisingly chaotic world of pick-your-own strawberry farms.”
Favorite Food or Drink: Sushi
Dukyong Kim
Social Chair (Coffee hour, quarterly socials)Pronouns: He/Him
Advisor: Jian Cao
Year: PhD, First Year
Research Interests: High Speed X-ray Imaging of Additive Manufacturing
Impromptu Lecture Topic: How to acquire sub-nanosecond interference signal
Favorite Food or Drink: Aburi Sushi with Suntory Beer
Haewon Shin
Professional Development Chair (Faculty lunch, bagel talk)Pronouns: she/her
Advisor: Horacio Espinosa
Year: PhD, First Year
Research Interests: Nano/microfabrication-based live cell analysis platforms
Impromptu Lecture Topic: Finding rhythm outside the lab - yoga, running, and bass guitar
Favorite Food or Drink: Warm freshly baked bread with pour-over coffee
Maya Sumra
Recruitment ChairPronouns: she/her
Advisor: Jian Cao
Year: PhD, First Year
Research Interests: Yarn manufacturing, functional textiles, and textile recycling
Impromptu Lecture Topic: Cake
Favorite Food or Drink: Oat milk latte
Carter Taylor
Vice-PresidentPronouns: he/him
Advisor: Jian Cao
Year: PhD, 2nd Year
Research Interests: Advanced Manufacturing
Impromptu Lecture Topic: The Hughes Glomar Explorer
Favorite Food or Drink: Lechon kawali
Sairam Umakanth
Social Chair (Coffee hour, quarterly socials)Pronouns: He/Him/His
Advisor: Ed Colgate
Year: PhD, 2nd Year
Research Interests: Dextrous Robotic Hands
Impromptu Lecture Topic: The intricacies in the lore of Elden Ring