Jon Peterson, Aeronautics and Astronautics
Born in Waterbury, CT and raised in Tacoma, WA my travels have brought me all over the US,
to Korea, Japan, and Iraq, only to realize how amazing the northwest is. With no money and no
solid future after graduating high school I joined the Air Force as a turboprop engine mechanic
on C-130 cargo planes. My experience working with military aircraft gave me a lot of technical
and leadership experience, but most importantly, inspired me to be an engineer. This led to my
placement in the William E Boeing department of Aeronautics and Astronautics where I am
focusing on aerodynamics and aircraft structures. My free time is dominated by my obsession
with older BMW’s. Repairing, modifying, and racing cars is an extension of my engineering side
which pushes me to design, build, test, and improve.
to Korea, Japan, and Iraq, only to realize how amazing the northwest is. With no money and no
solid future after graduating high school I joined the Air Force as a turboprop engine mechanic
on C-130 cargo planes. My experience working with military aircraft gave me a lot of technical
and leadership experience, but most importantly, inspired me to be an engineer. This led to my
placement in the William E Boeing department of Aeronautics and Astronautics where I am
focusing on aerodynamics and aircraft structures. My free time is dominated by my obsession
with older BMW’s. Repairing, modifying, and racing cars is an extension of my engineering side
which pushes me to design, build, test, and improve.
Thomas Kraft, Aeronautics and Astronautics
My name is Thomas Kraft, and I am a Junior in Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Washington. I grew up here in the Seattle area and have been interested in science and engineering all my life. Before I was an engineering ambassador I gained experience in outreach through volunteering at the Museum of Flight and serving as Outreach coordinator for an extracurricular high-power rocketry project. Besides rocketry, I also enjoy playing the piano, running, making short animated films and growing carnivorous plants in my spare time.
Sean Murphy, Bioengineering
I’m Sean Murphy and I am an undergraduate student in Bioengineering and Economics. I grew up in Kenmore, Washington which is at the top of Lake Washington and about 20 minutes away from Seattle. I am in the Laflamme Research Group which investigates the use of stem cell derived Cardiomyocytes to regenerate heart muscle after a myocardial infarction. I have been working with the Bioengineers Without Borders to design an affordable respiration monitor to assist in the diagnosis of Asthma and lower respiratory infections. I am excited about getting involved with Engineering Ambassadors and opening up the world of science and engineering to students. In past summers, I worked at Knotis, a Seattle tech startup, and Microsoft in the Global Marketing division.
In my free time, I play for the UW Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Team and play in tournaments all over the country and play intramural soccer.
In my free time, I play for the UW Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Team and play in tournaments all over the country and play intramural soccer.
Rainie Nelson, Chemical Engineering
My name is Rainie Nelson. I’m a junior in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Nano and Molecular Science. I was born in Utah but have lived in Snohomish, Washington for quite some time. I spent most of the past two summers in a lab on campus, doing research on fullerenes in thin films. This summer I plan to be in lab as well, doing preliminary work for a research project that will span my senior year.
During my high school summers I was a student coach for new members of the Speech and Debate team. Later, we started a program that involved going to the local middle school and exposing younger students to Speech and Debate. Last fall, I helped coach a U7 soccer team. It was fun to teach them a little move and see them use it during a game. At the beginning of this year I was a mentor for a group of 4th and 5th grade students for the Bryant Elementary Science Fair. Over 10 weeks the students developed, conducted, and presented an experiment titled “Dry Ice Sublimation.”
In short, I love to teach and share my enthusiasm, no matter the subject. Everyday, engineers work to change lives – to change the world. Through Engineering Ambassadors, I look forward to educating students about the amazing and impactful subject of engineering.
During my high school summers I was a student coach for new members of the Speech and Debate team. Later, we started a program that involved going to the local middle school and exposing younger students to Speech and Debate. Last fall, I helped coach a U7 soccer team. It was fun to teach them a little move and see them use it during a game. At the beginning of this year I was a mentor for a group of 4th and 5th grade students for the Bryant Elementary Science Fair. Over 10 weeks the students developed, conducted, and presented an experiment titled “Dry Ice Sublimation.”
In short, I love to teach and share my enthusiasm, no matter the subject. Everyday, engineers work to change lives – to change the world. Through Engineering Ambassadors, I look forward to educating students about the amazing and impactful subject of engineering.
Melissa Gile, Chemical Engineering
My name is Melissa Gile and I am from Maple Valley, WA, a small suburbia approximately 45 minutes
southeast of Seattle. I am studying chemical engineering and mathematics, with interdisciplinary
honors and departmental honors in chemical engineering; I am also studying German on the side. I have
studied abroad with the Honors Program in Rome in summer 2012, teaching English and work skills
to refugees and studying migration patterns in the European Union- this was and probably will be the
best experience of my undergraduate career. I am currently involved in a number of activities, including
soccer, Tae-Kwon-Do, undergraduate research, Emerging Leaders in Engineering, ASUW elections,
and more. I am particularly passionate about education, as it has been my key to happiness for a long
time now, and want to provide more learning opportunities for children through the Engineering
Ambassadors program.
southeast of Seattle. I am studying chemical engineering and mathematics, with interdisciplinary
honors and departmental honors in chemical engineering; I am also studying German on the side. I have
studied abroad with the Honors Program in Rome in summer 2012, teaching English and work skills
to refugees and studying migration patterns in the European Union- this was and probably will be the
best experience of my undergraduate career. I am currently involved in a number of activities, including
soccer, Tae-Kwon-Do, undergraduate research, Emerging Leaders in Engineering, ASUW elections,
and more. I am particularly passionate about education, as it has been my key to happiness for a long
time now, and want to provide more learning opportunities for children through the Engineering
Ambassadors program.
Kevin Tsuchida, Civil and Environmental Engineering
My name is Kevin Tsuchida, and I grew up on the other side of the state in Spokane. These
days, I am in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department focusing on Structural
Engineering. I work in the Structural Research Lab and am involved with the Steel Bridge Team
and Engineers Without Borders. This summer I will be working back home as an intern with
DCI Engineers. I previously went to Ecuador on a study abroad, and after I graduate next year I
will travel for eight months as a Bonderman Fellow to Southern Africa, the Indian Subcontinent,
Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. All this makes me pretty busy, but I value a wide range
of experiences, and think that there is something to be learned from any situation. I really look
forward to taking what I've learned from all these experiences and applying them as best I can as
an Engineering Ambassador.
days, I am in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department focusing on Structural
Engineering. I work in the Structural Research Lab and am involved with the Steel Bridge Team
and Engineers Without Borders. This summer I will be working back home as an intern with
DCI Engineers. I previously went to Ecuador on a study abroad, and after I graduate next year I
will travel for eight months as a Bonderman Fellow to Southern Africa, the Indian Subcontinent,
Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. All this makes me pretty busy, but I value a wide range
of experiences, and think that there is something to be learned from any situation. I really look
forward to taking what I've learned from all these experiences and applying them as best I can as
an Engineering Ambassador.
Lucas Whitesell, Civil and Environmental Engineering
My name is Lucas Whitesell, I’m a Junior studying civil engineering at the University of Washington. I went to Capital High School in Olympia, WA where I’ve lived most of my life. Since coming to college I’ve had two summer internships with civil engineering firms, one in Olympia doing bridge inspections and one in Seattle helping with project coordination. I’ve also been involved with research in the UW Structures lab. I’ve assisted on numerous masters students’ projects and have also completed my own research funded by Parsons Brinckerhoff and Sound Transit. I’m a member of the Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honors Society and am a Mary Gates Scholar.
Jasmine Singh, Computer Engineering
My name is Jasmine Singh and I’m from Seattle, Washington. I am a sophomore at the University of Washington studying Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. I’m an officer for the UW chapter of IEEE, a Google student ambassador, and have recently become an Engineering Ambassador. The summer before I started my freshman year at UW, I started working with a professor in the CSE department on research in mobile accessibility. I’ve created Android applications that aid low-vision/blind children learn Braille. Last year I interned at Google in Mountain View, California, and plan to go there again this coming summer.
I’ve had some outreach experience -- working with K-12 children to introduce many of the fundamentals of Computer Science and introducing engineering in general. I hope to continue to make a difference with my role as an Engineering Ambassador.
I’ve had some outreach experience -- working with K-12 children to introduce many of the fundamentals of Computer Science and introducing engineering in general. I hope to continue to make a difference with my role as an Engineering Ambassador.
Jared Miller, Computer Science
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, I came to the University of Washington to study computer science and mathematics. My interest in computers and technology began in high school where I was a part of our FIRST robotics team. At UW, I am a member of the Young Democrats of Washington, am currently working on a project for the Robotics and State Estimation Lab, and recently have become a member of the Engineering Ambassadors! This summer I will be working full time as a software engineering intern at Intel.
Rebecca Kim, Electrical Engineering
My name is Rebecca and I am from Kent, Washington. I am a sophomore majoring in Electrical Engineering and my concentrations are power and sustainable energy. The environment has always been a huge part of my life so I am excited to be able to work towards making renewable energy more efficient. In the past, I was a math tutor at Mathnasium Learning Centers and I am currently a Summer Camps teacher at the Pacific Science Center. I teach camps where students build submarines, design and create video games, build and program robotics, and learn about green engineering! I am a founding member of a new club at UW called Engineering Projects In Seattle where our goal is to create a wind powered generator. As an Engineering Ambassador, my hope is to show students the exciting world of engineering!
Katie Yamada, Electrical Engineering
My name is Katie Yamada. I’m from Shoreline, Washington (about 5 minutes North of Seattle), and attended Shorewood High School. I’m studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington. I’m an officer of IEEE (Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers, UW Chapter), a member of AA Design, Build, Fly!, SWE (Society of Women Engineers), and have been previously involved with UW’s Dream Project. Dream Project has been my main source of outreach, in “recruiting” or coaching high school students in the greater Seattle area to attend a college or university. I will be interning at Cisco Systems, Inc., this summer, in the San Jose area.
KeliAnne Hara, Industrial Engineering
Originating from Issaquah, Washington, I am now a junior pursuing Industrial and Systems Engineering. With my technical background, I am exploring the interactions between global health and engineering, and aspire to use my knowledge in a non-profit setting in the future.s. In the past I enthusiastically volunteered for the ONE Campaign and co-founded the University of Washington chapter of this organization; I also volunteered with student government elections on campus as a volunteer, interned with Washington Public Interest Research Group (WashPIRG), and proudly graduated as a Girl Scout of Western Washington. Currently, I am excitedly preparing to study water systems in Jordan this summer (2013), I have recently begun research regarding health care facilities in Mozambique, and I am an active member of a church leadership team, where we partner with organizations like World Concern to raise awareness and support for international communities. I am beyond excited to work with students and explore the exciting opportunities of engineering with Engineering Ambassadors!
Carina Arboleda, Materials Science and Engineering
Hi! My name is Carina Arboleda. I am from Washington DC, yes the other Washington! I am a junior in
Materials Science and Engineering doing the Nano and Molecular Engineering Option. I am the President
of Material Advantage (a networking and outreach group in MSE, affiliated with ASM, ACers, TMS);
member of the aesthetics team of Keramos, the National Professional Ceramic Engineering Fraternity;
Membership Education Chair for Phi Sigma Rho Engineering Sorority; and last, but not least one of the K-
12 Outreach Coordinators for Engineering Ambassadors.
I absolutely love outreach and teaching! I participate in ASM Materials Camp during the summer, teaching
a select few high schoolers the awesomeness that MSE has to offer. I recently decided to contribute to
the Cleaveland High School Outreach Project whose focus is designing and developing modules aimed
to increase participation of high school students in Nanotechnology/STEM fields by graphically depicting
nanotechnology concepts.
I am also very involved in research. I am an Undergraduate Research Assistant in Genetically Engineered
Materials Science and Engineering Center(GEMSEC)/ Peptide Engineering & Synthesis Lab in Sarikaya/
Tamerler’s Group. My current project is developing and characterizing a mixed monolayer of peptide linkers
for Au nanoparticles with antibody binders and nonfouling motif. I will be studying abroad this summer in
Tokyo, Japan! I have the honor of being selected in the TiROP program and will be doing research this
summer at Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Materials Science and Engineering doing the Nano and Molecular Engineering Option. I am the President
of Material Advantage (a networking and outreach group in MSE, affiliated with ASM, ACers, TMS);
member of the aesthetics team of Keramos, the National Professional Ceramic Engineering Fraternity;
Membership Education Chair for Phi Sigma Rho Engineering Sorority; and last, but not least one of the K-
12 Outreach Coordinators for Engineering Ambassadors.
I absolutely love outreach and teaching! I participate in ASM Materials Camp during the summer, teaching
a select few high schoolers the awesomeness that MSE has to offer. I recently decided to contribute to
the Cleaveland High School Outreach Project whose focus is designing and developing modules aimed
to increase participation of high school students in Nanotechnology/STEM fields by graphically depicting
nanotechnology concepts.
I am also very involved in research. I am an Undergraduate Research Assistant in Genetically Engineered
Materials Science and Engineering Center(GEMSEC)/ Peptide Engineering & Synthesis Lab in Sarikaya/
Tamerler’s Group. My current project is developing and characterizing a mixed monolayer of peptide linkers
for Au nanoparticles with antibody binders and nonfouling motif. I will be studying abroad this summer in
Tokyo, Japan! I have the honor of being selected in the TiROP program and will be doing research this
summer at Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Andrei Arevalo, Mechanical Engineering
My name is Andrei Arevalo. I’m from Lake Stevens Washington and I am a Freshmen in the Mechanical Engineering Department. In high school I actively participated in many engineering competitions in addition to various outreach events with groups including County Executives and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State. Here at the University, I have continued an active role in school activities through ASUW Senate, Hall Council, and as a member of the Formula Motorsports Team, a group of engineering students who design, build, and race a formula-style race car each year and compete internationally. Outside of school, I currently have plans to Intern at Boeing this summer and the CIA the following summer. I am driven by my passion for all things engineering and thoroughly excited to become a leader in the engineering industry!
2013-2014 Engineering Ambassadors
Engineering Ambassador Chairs
Viviana Barona - Junior, Industrial Engineering
Grier Wilt - Masters Student, Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Ambassador Founding Members
Carina Arboleda - Junior, Materials Science & Engineering
Andrei Arevalo - Freshman, Mechanical Engineering
Melissa Gile - Sophomore, Chemical Engineering
KeliAnne Hara - Junior, Industrial Engineering
Rebecca Kim - Sophomore, Electrical Engineering
Thomas Kraft - Junior, Aeronautics and Astronautics
Jared Miller - Junior, Computer Science
Sean Murphy - Sophomore, Bioengineering
Rainie Nelson - Junior, Chemical Engineering
Jon Peterson - Junior, Aeronautics and Astronautics
Jasmine Singh - Sophomore, Computer Engineering
Kevin Tsuchida - Junior, Civil Engineering
Lucas Whitesell - Junior, Civil Engineering
Katie Yamada - Junior, Electrical Engineering
Viviana Barona - Junior, Industrial Engineering
Grier Wilt - Masters Student, Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Ambassador Founding Members
Carina Arboleda - Junior, Materials Science & Engineering
Andrei Arevalo - Freshman, Mechanical Engineering
Melissa Gile - Sophomore, Chemical Engineering
KeliAnne Hara - Junior, Industrial Engineering
Rebecca Kim - Sophomore, Electrical Engineering
Thomas Kraft - Junior, Aeronautics and Astronautics
Jared Miller - Junior, Computer Science
Sean Murphy - Sophomore, Bioengineering
Rainie Nelson - Junior, Chemical Engineering
Jon Peterson - Junior, Aeronautics and Astronautics
Jasmine Singh - Sophomore, Computer Engineering
Kevin Tsuchida - Junior, Civil Engineering
Lucas Whitesell - Junior, Civil Engineering
Katie Yamada - Junior, Electrical Engineering