MEGA Executive Committee 2024 - 2025

We are the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Association (MEGA), a representative body created to engage graduate students in the department within and outside of research. MEGA also serves as a direct liaison between graduate students and faculty. As such, it provides a platform for identifying and addressing graduate student concerns and grievances and acts as a liaison between the graduate student body and the department faculty.

President: Parker Grobe

President: Parker Grobe

Program: 3rd year PhD

Advisor: Tyler Van Buren

Research Interests: Design of bio-inspired underwater uncrewed vehicles

Bio: Parker grew up in Western New York and came to UD to do a 4+1 bachelors and masters in mechanical engineering and switched in the spring of his master’s year to pursue a PhD instead. His interests include competing at regattas in single sculls races, oil painting, and reading about history.

Contact: ptgrobe@udel.edu

Vice President: Annie Porter

Vice President: Annie Porter

Program: 4th year PhD

Advisor: X. Lucas Lu

Research Interests: Cartilage bioengineering and osteoarthritis treatment

Bio: Annie grew up in Maryland right next to UD’s campus, eating lots of seafood and spending time boating with her family. She got her Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering here at UD, and decided to stay for her PhD. One of her favorite parts of grad school has been getting to travel more. Outside of school, she spends a lot of time with her horse Watson and training for the half marathon her advisor finally convinced her to run.

Contact: annie@udel.edu

Treasurer: Frank Tricouros

Treasurer: Frank Tricouros

Program: 5th year PhD

Advisor: Tyler Van Buren

Research Interests: Vortex structure mitigation and destruction using unsteady jets

Bio: Frank graduated from Hofstra University with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. He has been awarded for his TA work with undergraduates and recently received the SMART Scholarship.

Contact: franktri@udel.edu

Social Chair: Rosalind Bendell

Social Chair: Rosalind Bendell

aProgram: 2nd year PhD

Advisor: Jill Higginson

Research Interests: Biomechanics, prosthetics advancement, rehabilitation

Bio: Rosalind grew up in Upstate New York and went to college even further north which was perfect for her favorite hobbies of hiking, camping, and exploring. Now she studies biomechanics for rehabilitation advancement in the Neuromuscular Biomechanics Lab. Outside of school and outdoor adventures, she also likes to weightlift, play rugby, and run track and field!

Contact: rbendell@udel.edu

Secretary: Sam Meyer

Secretary: Sam Meyer

Program: 1st year PhD

Advisor: Tyler Van Buren

Research Interests: Bio-inspired robotics and design of underwater uncrewed vehicles

Bio: Sam graduated from Temple University with his B.S. in mechanical engineering.  He currently works on a method for the systematic categorization of bioinspired underwater propulsors.  He likes to hike, play sports, woodwork and play guitar.

Contact: sammeyer@udel.edu

 

Intramural Sports Coordinator: Annamalai Muthupalaniappan

Intramural Sports Coordinator: Annamalai Muthupalaniappan

Program: 2nd year MSR

Research Interests: Mobile and aerial robots

Bio: Annamalai is from India. He did his 4 year Bachelor’s in Mechatronics and came to UD after 2 years to pursue a Masters in Robotics. He is currently involved in the CARS lab and wants to work in agricultural robotics.

Contact: annamala@udel.edu

First Year Representative: Rachel Bonfini

First Year Representative: Rachel Bonfini

Program: 1st year PhD

Research Interests: Additive manufacturing of orthopedic implants

Bio: Rachel is from Delaware County, PA and attended Penn State for her undergraduate degree. She currently works on designing biodegradable implants for large bone defects in the Hast Lab. Outside of work, she enjoys running, playing soccer, and going to the beach in the summers.

Contact: rbonfini@udel.edu

Previous Executive Committees

2024-2023

President: Annie Porter

Vice President: Parker Grobe

Treasurer: Frank Tricorous

Social Chair: Stergios Bachoumas

Secretary: Masoud Ansari

Intramural Sports Coordinator: Annamalai Muthupalaniappan

1st Year Representative: Rosalind Bendell

2023-2022

President: Kyra Twohy

Vice President: Jan Calalo

Treasurer: Chinmay Burgul

Social Chair: Annie Porter

1st Year Representative: Stergios Bachoumas

2021-2022

President: Kayla Pariser

Vice President: Jan Calalo

Treasurer: Kyra Twohy

Social Chair: Raymond Zayas

Secretary: Heeseung Band

Intramural Sports Coordinator: Annie Porter

1st Year Representative: Chinmay Burgul