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:
Cecilia Klauber, 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 FY20 GMC is Cecilia Klauber. Cecilia is a graduate student and NSF Graduate Research Fellow in Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University. She received her BS and MS in Electrical Engineering from Baylor University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, respectively. Her research is about how solar flares and space weather affect the power grid, specifically developing monitoring and mitigation methods that would inform and empower grid operators during these geomagnetic disturbances.
Cecilia has served as an officer for the Baylor and Illinois collegiate sections, including GradSWE Director for FY17. She is also an active member of the IEEE Power and Energy Society, serving on various student chapter and student-run conference committees.
Our current FY20 GMC is Cecilia Klauber. Cecilia is a graduate student and NSF Graduate Research Fellow in Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University. She received her BS and MS in Electrical Engineering from Baylor University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, respectively. Her research is about how solar flares and space weather affect the power grid, specifically developing monitoring and mitigation methods that would inform and empower grid operators during these geomagnetic disturbances.
Cecilia has served as an officer for the Baylor and Illinois collegiate sections, including GradSWE Director for FY17. She is also an active member of the IEEE Power and Energy Society, serving on various student chapter and student-run conference committees.
Grace Pakeltis, grad-coordinator-elect@swe.org
The Graduate Member Coordinator Elect (GMC-Elect) assists the GMC in their duties of facilitating communication and relationships, in preparation for the following year.
Our current FY20 GMC-Elect is Grace Pakeltis. Grace is a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Tennessee. She received her BS in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research is in the 2d and 3d nanofabrication and characterization of plasmonic materials. Grace has served as an officer for the Illinois collegiate section, including section President. She actively participates in Materials Science and Engineering outreach and is also her departmental senator for the Graduate Student Senate at the University of Tennessee. Outside of the lab, Grace enjoys watching Chicago Bears football and spinning at her local Cyclebar!
Our current FY20 GMC-Elect is Grace Pakeltis. Grace is a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Tennessee. She received her BS in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research is in the 2d and 3d nanofabrication and characterization of plasmonic materials. Grace has served as an officer for the Illinois collegiate section, including section President. She actively participates in Materials Science and Engineering outreach and is also her departmental senator for the Graduate Student Senate at the University of Tennessee. Outside of the lab, Grace enjoys watching Chicago Bears football and spinning at her local Cyclebar!
Isabella Sanders, 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 FY20 GPC is Isabella Sanders. Isabella Sanders is a graduate student at Georgia Tech.
Our current FY20 GPC is Isabella Sanders. Isabella Sanders is a graduate student at Georgia Tech.
Mattie Eckerstrom, Graduate Programming Coordinator – 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 FY20 GPC-E 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 FY20 GPC-E 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.
Rasika Bhalerao, Communications Coordinator
The Communications Coordinator (CC) ensures current up to date communication through our Social Media and Online Outlets.
Our current FY20 CC is Rasika Bhalerao. Rasika Bhalerao is a 3rd 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 FY20 CC is Rasika Bhalerao. Rasika Bhalerao is a 3rd 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!
Karla Morrissey, Undergraduate Mentoring Coordinator
The Mentoring Coordinators (MC) facilitate the program development of GradSWE Mentoring Program.
Our current FY20 MC’s are Josey McBrayer (Assessment Mentoring Coordinator), Amy Zheng (Developmental Mentoring Coordinator), Karla Morrissey (Undergraduate Mentoring Coordinator), and Kaylie Knecht (Communications Mentoring Coordinator).
Our current FY20 MC’s are Josey McBrayer (Assessment Mentoring Coordinator), Amy Zheng (Developmental Mentoring Coordinator), Karla Morrissey (Undergraduate Mentoring Coordinator), and Kaylie Knecht (Communications Mentoring Coordinator).
Josey McBrayer, Assessment Mentoring Coordinator
Josey is a third-year PhD student in chemical engineering at the University of Utah, performing her research at Sandia National Laboratories. She received her B.S. in chemical engineering and her M.S. in nanoscience and microsystems engineering at the University of New Mexico. Her research focuses on silicon anodes for next generation lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles. Josey uses spectro- electrochemical techniques to better understand the mechanical and chemical instability inherit to silicon anodes. She has been involved with SWE since 2013 when she joined as an undergraduate. She
was the president of SWE at her undergraduate institution and became the graduate student representative at the University of Utah during her first year. In her free time, Josey likes playing with her dog, hiking, Zumba, and dancing salsa and country swing with her boyfriend.
was the president of SWE at her undergraduate institution and became the graduate student representative at the University of Utah during her first year. In her free time, Josey likes playing with her dog, hiking, Zumba, and dancing salsa and country swing with her boyfriend.
Amy Zheng, Developmental Mentoring Coordinator
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.
Kaylie Knecht, Communications Mentoring Coordinator
Kalie is a graduate student and Nuclear Security and Science Consortium Fellow in Nuclear Engineering at UC Berkeley. She received her BS in Nuclear Engineering at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in May 2019. She is interested in radiation detection for her PhD research. She currently works at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on a portable gamma-ray detection system combined with contextual sensors (cameras, LiDAR, etc.) that can accurately localize and identify radiological sources in 3D environments. During undergrad, Kaylie oversaw University of Tennessee SWE’s mentoring program and served as section president. She was also a SWEFL during her last year of undergrad, where she learned about all the great opportunities in SWE leadership and got involved in the SWE Curriculum Committee. She’s excited to serve as CMC because she thinks mentoring programs are a crucial part of making underrepresented groups in STEM feel welcome to the community so they can thrive.
Haley Barnes, Learning Content Coordinator
Our current FY20 Learning Content Coordinator (LCC) is Haley Barnes. Haley Barnes is excited to join the GradSWE Leadership Team as LCC after serving as the Vice President and Webmaster at the University of North Texas collegiate section in FY16 and FY15, respectively. Barnes is pursuing her Master in Medical Sciences at the University of North Texas Health Science Center with the intention to enter a PharmD/Ph.D. program. Barnes has also served the Society as a SWE Future Leader. Her favorite things include integrative physiology, positivity, and potatoes. Follow her at @MedicalRedhead on Twitter.
Kazi Tasneem, 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 FY20 LPL is Kazi Tasneem. Kazi has been a member of the Society of Women Engineers since 2010. She currently serves as the WE Local Programming Liaison for the WE Local conferences. She previously served as Region D Graduate Representative and participated in the International Graduate Team within GradSWE. In the past, she has held positions such as Professional Development and Sponsorship Chair at the University of Central Florida. Outside of SWE, she is serving as Graduate Representative of Medical Device Specialty Section at Society of Toxicology (SOT). She is also serving the Professional Development/Communication Subcommittee within Graduate Student Leadership Team at SOT. Kazi is a PhD Candidate in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt University. Her research involves predictive toxicology due to drug/toxicant exposure, using modeling tools to investigate chemical transport and kinetics in organ-on-chip systems. Prior to her current graduate work, Kazi received a MSc in Materials Science and Engineering from University of Central Florida as well as a MSc in Environmental Engineering with Dean’s Fellowship from Carnegie Mellon University. She completed her Bachelor Degree in Chemical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Kazi has worked as a Laboratory Lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh for a year, and found she enjoyed teaching. She likes spending free time in strength training.
Our current FY20 LPL is Kazi Tasneem. Kazi has been a member of the Society of Women Engineers since 2010. She currently serves as the WE Local Programming Liaison for the WE Local conferences. She previously served as Region D Graduate Representative and participated in the International Graduate Team within GradSWE. In the past, she has held positions such as Professional Development and Sponsorship Chair at the University of Central Florida. Outside of SWE, she is serving as Graduate Representative of Medical Device Specialty Section at Society of Toxicology (SOT). She is also serving the Professional Development/Communication Subcommittee within Graduate Student Leadership Team at SOT. Kazi is a PhD Candidate in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt University. Her research involves predictive toxicology due to drug/toxicant exposure, using modeling tools to investigate chemical transport and kinetics in organ-on-chip systems. Prior to her current graduate work, Kazi received a MSc in Materials Science and Engineering from University of Central Florida as well as a MSc in Environmental Engineering with Dean’s Fellowship from Carnegie Mellon University. She completed her Bachelor Degree in Chemical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Kazi has worked as a Laboratory Lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh for a year, and found she enjoyed teaching. She likes spending free time in strength training.
Pratyasha Mohapatra, International Graduate Team Lead
The International Graduate Team Leader (IGTL) assist in developing resources for international graduate students and the globalization of GradSWE.
Our current FY20 IGTL is Pratyasha Mohapatra. Pratyasha is pursuing doctoral research in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Presently in her third year of Ph.D., she focuses on developing novel antiferroelectric ceramic materials for high energy density capacitor applications. As the International Graduate Team Leader, she aims to work to develop resources for professional development and improved networking among international graduate students. Apart from her research, she enjoys traveling, cooking and listening to music.
Our current FY20 IGTL is Pratyasha Mohapatra. Pratyasha is pursuing doctoral research in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Presently in her third year of Ph.D., she focuses on developing novel antiferroelectric ceramic materials for high energy density capacitor applications. As the International Graduate Team Leader, she aims to work to develop resources for professional development and improved networking among international graduate students. Apart from her research, she enjoys traveling, cooking and listening to music.
Danielle Shaffer, Professional Graduate Team Lead
The Professional Graduate Team Leader (PGTL) assesses the needs of professional graduate students in order to ensure accessible recommendations and resources.
Our current FY20 PGTL is Danielle Shaffer. Danielle is a Master’s student at the University of Akron, studying Mechanical Engineering and Structural Engineering. She works full time as a Tooling Engineer at BWX Technologies while attending school part-time. Her favorite hobbies are sailing on the tall ship Brig Niagara, volunteering on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, trying not to die in triathlons, talking off people’s ears about cranes and rigging, biking with her local biking Meetup, and chasing her two crazy cats, Bowline and Spur.
Our current FY20 PGTL is Danielle Shaffer. Danielle is a Master’s student at the University of Akron, studying Mechanical Engineering and Structural Engineering. She works full time as a Tooling Engineer at BWX Technologies while attending school part-time. Her favorite hobbies are sailing on the tall ship Brig Niagara, volunteering on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, trying not to die in triathlons, talking off people’s ears about cranes and rigging, biking with her local biking Meetup, and chasing her two crazy cats, Bowline and Spur.
Megan Parsons, Diversity & Inclusion Liaison
The Diversity and Inclusion Liaison (DIL) promoting the support of minority groups in STEM fields, and throughout STEM education. The liason also facilitates the relationships between affiliate groups and graduate student members for this effort.
Our current FY20 DIL is Megan M. Parsons. Megan is a master’s degree student at Boston University in electrical and computer engineering. She received her bachelor’s degree at Harvard University in 2016 with a concentration in neurobiology, and her primary research focus is neuroengineering. In the laboratory of Dr. Xue Han, Megan is using EEG to research neural signatures involved in pain perception and attention. These neural signatures will be used to train machine learning algorithms to classify brain states. These models will allow us to quantify the effects of treatments or interventions in altering brain states associated with nociception and cognitive performance. In addition to her research, Megan has a longstanding commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in science and engineering, and she is thrilled to serve as GradSWE’s Diversity & Inclusion Liaison.
Our current FY20 DIL is Megan M. Parsons. Megan is a master’s degree student at Boston University in electrical and computer engineering. She received her bachelor’s degree at Harvard University in 2016 with a concentration in neurobiology, and her primary research focus is neuroengineering. In the laboratory of Dr. Xue Han, Megan is using EEG to research neural signatures involved in pain perception and attention. These neural signatures will be used to train machine learning algorithms to classify brain states. These models will allow us to quantify the effects of treatments or interventions in altering brain states associated with nociception and cognitive performance. In addition to her research, Megan has a longstanding commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in science and engineering, and she is thrilled to serve as GradSWE’s Diversity & Inclusion Liaison.
Natalie Vanderspiegel, SWE Director of Diversity and Inclusion, director-membershipinitiatives@swe.org
All positions report to the GMC, who reports to the SWE Membership Initiatives Director, on the SWE Board of Directors.
The FY20 SWE Membership Initiatives Director is Natalie Vanderspiegel.
The FY20 SWE Membership Initiatives Director is Natalie Vanderspiegel.
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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