Extracurricular Activities
MAE Graduate Student Council (MAE-GSC), 2007-2011
I am one of the founding members of the MAE Graduate Student Council, a committee of seven (7) student volunteers serving as representatives for the graduate student body of the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department. The MAE-GSC was founded in the Fall of 2007 with the blessing of our then chairman, Dr. Balachandar, for the purpose of increasing the level of interaction amongst our 350+ graduate students.
The MAE-GSC is involved in the planning and implementation of the annual department picnic, the MAE recruitment efforts, and the MAE movie nights. We hope to implement more social and professional projects for graduate students, perhaps including a mentoring program and a distinguished lecture series. Currently, we are in the process of creating a charter, a budget, and laying the foundation for a successful, long-term oganization.
Student Mentoring
I love mentoring. My main objective is to be a good role model in a way that others have been for me in the past.
My mentees and I get together periodically throughout the school year for a wide variety of activities (talking about coursework/professors, eating a meal together, networking, going to the movies, math tutoring help, etc.).
I also mentor students in a professional manner. I hope to become a professor one day and I have made it a high priority to mentor students and learn how to guide them in research, manage their projects as they relate to my own broader research ... and also get them graduated!! :)
Here is a list of my current mentees:
- Tim Gaynor (B.S. Spring 2011) - Undergraduate Thesis:"Gas-Liquid Separation Experiments for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells"
- Adam Butler, Undergraduate Senior
- Sharun Kumar, Master's Student
- Amey Barde, PhD Student
- Atish Shah, Phd Student
Past mentees that have moved on or graduated. I still keep in touch with them regularly.
- Jasmine Wiggins, Computer (Electrical) Engineering
- Alex Archie,Pre-Pharmacy
- Cheniel Hall, Anthropology
- Daniel Vilceus, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (PhD)
- Michael Asgill, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (PhD)
- Lauren Blinn, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
- Lucy Han, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
American Red Cross
I am a heavy supporter of the Red Cross and all the work that they do worldwide. They do everything from disaster relief, blood drives for local hospitals, to hurricane preparedness. I know first hand of the work they do. Simply put, they are there when no one else is. I applaud them and support them in any way that I can. Join me.
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Program
"Give One. Get One." is the motto of this program. Its mandate is to bring computer technology in the form of a connected laptop to children in developing countries around the world. I read about it in the New York Times. I thought it was a cool idea and was compelled to participate myself. Check out this video: