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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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