GradSWE Leadership Team
The GradSWE community consists of current and transitioning graduate students as well professional members. The GradSWE community also incorporates a leadership team that oversees the different aspects of the GradSWE's mission.
The structure of the leadership roles in GradSWE in respect to SWE's society and region levels is shown below. More on the positions including the societal structure is presented in the illustration below.
The structure of the leadership roles in GradSWE in respect to SWE's society and region levels is shown below. More on the positions including the societal structure is presented in the illustration below.
Note: All positions report to the GMC, who reports to the SWE Director of Membership Initiatives
The GradSWE Leadership Team is comprised of the following positions below:
Amy Zheng, grad-coordinator@swe.org
Graduate Member Coordinator (GMC) is the overseeing chair fostering the community and network for graduate students in SWE. The GMC represents the interest of the graduate members in the society by facilitating communication between graduate student members and the SWE graduate student groups. The GMC works to foster a strong community and network for graduate students in SWE.
Our current FY22 GMC is Amy Zheng. Amy Zheng is a graduate student at Vanderbilt University under the supervision of Professor Jamey Young. She received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kansas. Her research involves the use of metabolic flux analysis to study the metabolism of photoautotrophic organisms used to make biofuels. Amy has been involved in SWE since her freshman year. She was the graduate student coordinator of her undergraduate for 2 years. Then, she became the president of her undergraduate chapter during her senior year. In her free time, Amy enjoys cooking, traveling and yoga.
Our current FY22 GMC is Amy Zheng. Amy Zheng is a graduate student at Vanderbilt University under the supervision of Professor Jamey Young. She received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kansas. Her research involves the use of metabolic flux analysis to study the metabolism of photoautotrophic organisms used to make biofuels. Amy has been involved in SWE since her freshman year. She was the graduate student coordinator of her undergraduate for 2 years. Then, she became the president of her undergraduate chapter during her senior year. In her free time, Amy enjoys cooking, traveling and yoga.
Maggie Fox, grad-coordinator-elect@swe.org
The Graduate Member Coordinator Elect (GMC-E) assists the GMC in their duties of facilitating communication and relationships, in preparation for the following year.
Our current FY22 GMC-Elect is Maggie Fox. Maggie is a fourth-year PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering at UC Los Angeles. She received her B.S. in Chemistry with a Materials emphasis at SUNY Binghamton in 2018. Her research focuses on sustainable materials for building applications and optimizing materials for energy storage devices. She has been part of SWE since starting graduate school and has served on the GradSWE leadership board at UCLA for the last two years. On the UCLA campus, she also works on education and mentoring initiatives for underrepresented groups and hopes to bring some of these ideas into her new role as UMMC. In her free time, Maggie likes to spend time outside (she recently ran her first marathon and is signed up for two more) and watching baseball!
Our current FY22 GMC-Elect is Maggie Fox. Maggie is a fourth-year PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering at UC Los Angeles. She received her B.S. in Chemistry with a Materials emphasis at SUNY Binghamton in 2018. Her research focuses on sustainable materials for building applications and optimizing materials for energy storage devices. She has been part of SWE since starting graduate school and has served on the GradSWE leadership board at UCLA for the last two years. On the UCLA campus, she also works on education and mentoring initiatives for underrepresented groups and hopes to bring some of these ideas into her new role as UMMC. In her free time, Maggie likes to spend time outside (she recently ran her first marathon and is signed up for two more) and watching baseball!
Mattie Eckerstrom, grad-programs-coordinator@swe.org
The Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) works with graduate students and professional SWE members to ensure diverse programming for the annual SWE conference.
Our current FY22 GPC is Mattie Eckerstrom. Mattie is a graduate student in chemical engineering at the University of Rochester (NY). Originally from the Chicago suburbs, she also received her BS in chemical engineering with a minor in materials science from the University of Rochester. She plans to complete her MS in the spring of 2020 and then work in industry. Mattie has been active with SWE for several years, serving on the Local Host Committee for WE Local Baltimore (FY19) as the SWEnext DesignLab Liaison and WE Local Buffalo (FY20) as the Sponsorship Liaison. She also spent a summer as the Student Programs Intern at SWE Headquarters in Chicago. She is looking forward to the opportunity to advance SWE's mission and be an advocate for women in STEM. In her free time, Mattie enjoys horseback riding, having been an avid equestrian for over 15 years. She also likes playing the clarinet, spending time with her bunny, Lola, and going for long rides on her motorcycle.
Our current FY22 GPC is Mattie Eckerstrom. Mattie is a graduate student in chemical engineering at the University of Rochester (NY). Originally from the Chicago suburbs, she also received her BS in chemical engineering with a minor in materials science from the University of Rochester. She plans to complete her MS in the spring of 2020 and then work in industry. Mattie has been active with SWE for several years, serving on the Local Host Committee for WE Local Baltimore (FY19) as the SWEnext DesignLab Liaison and WE Local Buffalo (FY20) as the Sponsorship Liaison. She also spent a summer as the Student Programs Intern at SWE Headquarters in Chicago. She is looking forward to the opportunity to advance SWE's mission and be an advocate for women in STEM. In her free time, Mattie enjoys horseback riding, having been an avid equestrian for over 15 years. She also likes playing the clarinet, spending time with her bunny, Lola, and going for long rides on her motorcycle.
Alyssa Stubbers, GPC-Elect
The Graduate Programs Coordinator Elect (GPC-E) works to ensure diverse session tracks for the annual conference and assist the GPC as needed in preparation for the following annual conference.
Our current FY22 GPC-Elect is Alyssa Stubbers. Alyssa is a 3rd year graduate student at University of Kentucky working on her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering. She received her B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Purdue University. Her current research at UK is focused on high temperature mechanical properties of steel and how precipitation during steel solidification can define ductility behavior at temperatures above 700°C. Alyssa is also serving as the Assistant Chair and Treasurer for her GradSWE group at UK. Outside of SWE Alyssa enjoys being in the great outdoors with her dog Benji, woodworking, and planning trips to take when she has a real job.
Our current FY22 GPC-Elect is Alyssa Stubbers. Alyssa is a 3rd year graduate student at University of Kentucky working on her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering. She received her B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Purdue University. Her current research at UK is focused on high temperature mechanical properties of steel and how precipitation during steel solidification can define ductility behavior at temperatures above 700°C. Alyssa is also serving as the Assistant Chair and Treasurer for her GradSWE group at UK. Outside of SWE Alyssa enjoys being in the great outdoors with her dog Benji, woodworking, and planning trips to take when she has a real job.
Rasika Bhalerao, Communications Coordinator
The Communications Coordinator (CC) ensures current up to date communication through our Social Media and Online Outlets.
Our current FY22 CC is Rasika Bhalerao. Rasika is a 5th year PhD candidate in Computer Science at NYU under Dr. Damon McCoy. Her research focuses on applying natural language processing to real world cybersecurity problems, and she has a passion for teaching. She received her BS in Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences (Discrete Math and Algorithms) and in Statistics from the University of Washington in 2017. She has been a part of SWE since her freshman year, and is looking forward to continuing to contribute at an international level!
Our current FY22 CC is Rasika Bhalerao. Rasika is a 5th year PhD candidate in Computer Science at NYU under Dr. Damon McCoy. Her research focuses on applying natural language processing to real world cybersecurity problems, and she has a passion for teaching. She received her BS in Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences (Discrete Math and Algorithms) and in Statistics from the University of Washington in 2017. She has been a part of SWE since her freshman year, and is looking forward to continuing to contribute at an international level!
Marisa Markovich, Social Media Coordinator
The Social Media Coordinator (SMC) develops and maintains GradSWE's social media content and activity, including on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Our current FY22 SMC is Marisa Markovich. Marisa earned her B.S. in biomedical engineering from Cal Poly in 2019, and recently graduated with an M.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Utah. She is currently working as an R&D engineer at a medical device startup in Salt Lake City, UT. She has enjoyed being part of SWE leadership in her collegiate sections and is excited to join the GradSWE team for FY22!
Our current FY22 SMC is Marisa Markovich. Marisa earned her B.S. in biomedical engineering from Cal Poly in 2019, and recently graduated with an M.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Utah. She is currently working as an R&D engineer at a medical device startup in Salt Lake City, UT. She has enjoyed being part of SWE leadership in her collegiate sections and is excited to join the GradSWE team for FY22!
The Mentoring Coordinators (MC) facilitate the development of the GradSWE Mentoring Program. The GradSWE Mentoring Program provides resources, contacts, and support for graduate SWE members throughout their graduate studies so SWE members can achieve their professional goals.
Our current FY22 MC’s are Rachael Cooper, Raychel Bahnick, Sabrina Khan, and Sitoshna Jatty.
Our current FY22 MC’s are Rachael Cooper, Raychel Bahnick, Sabrina Khan, and Sitoshna Jatty.
Rachael Cooper, Mentoring Coordinator
Rachael Cooper is a second year PhD student in civil engineering with a concentration of water resources at the University of South Florida. She received her B.S. in Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University in 2012. After graduating from NC State, Rachael became licensed as a professional engineer working as a civil engineering consultant. Primarily working on stormwater infrastructure design as an engineer, she became motivated to return to an academic setting to learn more about stormwater management. She first joined SWE as a professional in Raleigh and served as secretary and president of her local Eastern NC section before relocating to Tampa, Florida. Rachael also enjoys all things water and storms outside of graduate school. She enjoys walks along the bay, watching thunderstorms in the ‘lightning capital’ of North America, and cheering on her favorite NHL teams (Hurricanes & Lightning).
Raychel Bahnick, Mentoring Coordinator
Raychel Bahnick is currently a second-year graduate student in environmental engineering at Rice University. She plans to complete her MS in the spring of 2022 and work in industry. She is from Kentucky and completed her BS in civil and environmental engineering at the University of Louisville in 2020. She has been involved in SWE for several years, serving as Outreach Chair and Vice President during undergrad and attending the SWE Congressional Outreach Day, multiple SWE annual conferences, and participating in SWE Future Leaders (SWEFL) and the Collegiate Leadership Institute. Her research focus is on hydrology and flood management resiliency and how anthropogenic conditions like urbanization and land subsidence can impact flood risk at a watershed scale. This is achieved through computational flood modeling and is used to inform public policy. In her free time she enjoys baking, running, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Sabrina Khan, Mentoring Coordinator
Sabrina Khan is one of our FY22 GradSWE Mentoring chairs. She is currently a 5th year PhD student in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at University of Notre Dame. Her doctoral research involves studying and developing multivalent lipid nanoparticles for their selective application towards treating complex medical conditions. She received her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in Bangladesh. Sabrina has also been involved as an executive GradSWE leader at the University of Notre Dame section. Before joining graduate school, she worked as a technical management trainee in process control and operation of air separation unit at Abul Khair Steel Melting Limited in Bangladesh. After her doctoral graduation, she wants to join biotech industry with a view to improve the quality of patients’ lives by working in the fields of biomaterials, diagnostics, and drug delivery (nanomedicine). Besides research, Sabrina enjoys photography, hiking and travelling at her spare time.
Sitoshna Jatty, Mentoring Coordinator
Sitoshna Jatty is a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University, working on a Masters in Chemical Engineering. She received her Bachelors in Chemical Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago in May 2020. Her current research focuses on Supply Chain optimization and developing tools to facilitate troubleshooting and increase efficiency in Enterprise-Wide optimization. She has been closely involved with SWE and AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers) at the university and professional chapter levels, serving on the executive board for AIChE and SWE at her undergraduate and SWE at her graduate institution. At Carnegie Mellon University, she is also involved with a competitive Indian-folk dance team CMU Bhangra and occasionally pursues her hobby in photography. Broadly, she wants to pursue a career in the energy and logistics sector where she can follow her passion to develop optimal systems through technical and customer-centric vision that would also run on the path to mitigating climate change.
Lael Wentland, WE Local Programming Liaison
The WE Local Programming Liason (LPL) assists in facilitating a positive experience for graduate students at WE Local conferences.
Our current FY22 LPL is Lael Wentland. Lael is a fifth year Bioengineering PhD student at Oregon State University. She is continuing in her role as the Local Programming Liasion to coordinate graduate student relevant events at the WE Local conferences. Before joining the GradSWE team Lael was on the Oregon State University section leadership team focusing on planning travel and getting funding for section members to attend conferences. Lael's doctoral research focuses on developing new diagnostics that could be used in low-resource hospital or home settings. She received her BS in bioengineering from University of Washington. She then completed a year long Whitaker research fellowship in Vietnam with a local medical device company to develop a prototype to more easily monitor jaundiced infants. She hopes to continue working in the global health diagnostics sector after her graduation to improve access and the sustainability of health care.
Our current FY22 LPL is Lael Wentland. Lael is a fifth year Bioengineering PhD student at Oregon State University. She is continuing in her role as the Local Programming Liasion to coordinate graduate student relevant events at the WE Local conferences. Before joining the GradSWE team Lael was on the Oregon State University section leadership team focusing on planning travel and getting funding for section members to attend conferences. Lael's doctoral research focuses on developing new diagnostics that could be used in low-resource hospital or home settings. She received her BS in bioengineering from University of Washington. She then completed a year long Whitaker research fellowship in Vietnam with a local medical device company to develop a prototype to more easily monitor jaundiced infants. She hopes to continue working in the global health diagnostics sector after her graduation to improve access and the sustainability of health care.
Alejandra Arcila Castillo, International Graduate Team Leader
The International Graduate Team Leader (IGTL) assists in developing resources for international graduate students and the globalization of GradSWE.
Our current FY22 IGTL is J. Alejandra Arcila Castillo. Alejandra is originally from Colombia. She has been part of SWE for more than a year. She is excited to encourage international graduate students to join SWE and enjoy a variety of opportunities for personal and professional development. Alejandra is currently a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Her graduate research is focused on the areas of electrochemistry, electrode/electrolyte interfaces and surface engineering applied to the development of sensors and medical devices. Outside of the lab, she enjoys growing plants and powerlifting.
Our current FY22 IGTL is J. Alejandra Arcila Castillo. Alejandra is originally from Colombia. She has been part of SWE for more than a year. She is excited to encourage international graduate students to join SWE and enjoy a variety of opportunities for personal and professional development. Alejandra is currently a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Her graduate research is focused on the areas of electrochemistry, electrode/electrolyte interfaces and surface engineering applied to the development of sensors and medical devices. Outside of the lab, she enjoys growing plants and powerlifting.
Abby Pakeltis, Professional Graduate Team Leader
The Professional Graduate Team Leader (PGTL) assesses the needs of professional graduate students in order to ensure accessible recommendations and resources.
Our current FY22 PGTL is Abby Pakeltis. Abby is in an online program for a Masters of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She received her BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Abby also works at John Deere where she is currently working in Crop Care product development. Abby has served as an officer for the Illinois collegiate section, including section President. She was also an Awards Committee Volunteer and a SWE Future Leader. Outside of work and SWE, Abby enjoys travel, live music/musical experiences, exploring coffee shops and recreating the drinks at home.
Our current FY22 PGTL is Abby Pakeltis. Abby is in an online program for a Masters of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She received her BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Abby also works at John Deere where she is currently working in Crop Care product development. Abby has served as an officer for the Illinois collegiate section, including section President. She was also an Awards Committee Volunteer and a SWE Future Leader. Outside of work and SWE, Abby enjoys travel, live music/musical experiences, exploring coffee shops and recreating the drinks at home.
Ayumi Manawadu, D&I Team Lead
The Diversity and Inclusion Team Lead (D&I) promotes the support of minority groups in STEM fields, and throughout STEM education. The liaison also facilitates the relationships between affiliate groups and graduate student members for this effort.
Our current FY22 D&I Team Lead is Ayumi Manawadu. Ayumi is a Ph.D. candidate in Structural Engineering at Washington State University (WSU). She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and her master's from WSU. For her research, she analyzes the mechanics and durability of concrete interface bonds and uses smart sensors to detect damages in concrete.
Ayumi has been involved with SWE in numerous roles since 2018, including serving as the Vice President of the WSU SWE section in 2019. She is also the founder and current Director of WSU's GradSWE group. Ayumi is passionate about community outreach and improving diversity and inclusion in STEM, which she hopes to continue through her new role in the GradSWE leadership team.
Our current FY22 D&I Team Lead is Ayumi Manawadu. Ayumi is a Ph.D. candidate in Structural Engineering at Washington State University (WSU). She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and her master's from WSU. For her research, she analyzes the mechanics and durability of concrete interface bonds and uses smart sensors to detect damages in concrete.
Ayumi has been involved with SWE in numerous roles since 2018, including serving as the Vice President of the WSU SWE section in 2019. She is also the founder and current Director of WSU's GradSWE group. Ayumi is passionate about community outreach and improving diversity and inclusion in STEM, which she hopes to continue through her new role in the GradSWE leadership team.
Gabriela Basel, Affinity Group Liaison
The Affinity Group Liaison (AGL) connects regularly with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Affinity Groups to support AG membership and promote community-building among students in underrepresented groups.
Our current FY22 Affinity Group Liaison is Gabriela Basel. Gabriela is a PhD student in Chemical Engineering at Stanford University and received her BS in Molecular Engineering at The University of Chicago. She is currently researching neural network models of neuronal circuits. As an undergraduate student, Gabriela helped lay the groundwork for a new SWE chapter at the University of Chicago’s new (est. 2014) school of engineering and was a member of the SWEFL program. Currently, she serves as the Diversity and Advocacy Chair on the Stanford Graduate Student Council and as a student representative on the Chemical Engineering Diversity and Inclusion Committee working to improve the experiences of underrepresented minorities at Stanford. She is also serving as the FY22 Collegiate Engagement Lead of the SWE Latinos Affinity Group. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing basketball, and petting her cat.
Our current FY22 Affinity Group Liaison is Gabriela Basel. Gabriela is a PhD student in Chemical Engineering at Stanford University and received her BS in Molecular Engineering at The University of Chicago. She is currently researching neural network models of neuronal circuits. As an undergraduate student, Gabriela helped lay the groundwork for a new SWE chapter at the University of Chicago’s new (est. 2014) school of engineering and was a member of the SWEFL program. Currently, she serves as the Diversity and Advocacy Chair on the Stanford Graduate Student Council and as a student representative on the Chemical Engineering Diversity and Inclusion Committee working to improve the experiences of underrepresented minorities at Stanford. She is also serving as the FY22 Collegiate Engagement Lead of the SWE Latinos Affinity Group. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing basketball, and petting her cat.
The Graduate Leadership Team helps to establish GradSWE community groups and promote programming addressing graduate student needs.
Students can also develop new groups at universities with guidelines shown here. For more information, you can reach out to the Graduate Member Coordinator (GMC) at grad-coordinator@swe.org.
Students can also develop new groups at universities with guidelines shown here. For more information, you can reach out to the Graduate Member Coordinator (GMC) at grad-coordinator@swe.org.
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