Seven seniors selected as Purdue Engineering Fellows, to receive $25K
The nomination letters were long, robust and glowing for the latest cohort of Purdue Engineering Fellows.
One of the seven seniors honored at a ceremony on Sept. 9 in Fowler Hall at Purdue University in West Lafayette was called “the very best of what it means to be a Purdue engineer.”
An ability to think creatively and to develop innovative solutions to problems within the classroom, in student life or in the community are the standards set by benefactors Robert H. Buckman (BSChE ’59) and wife Joyce A. Mollerup, who made an initial gift six years ago for this initiative. They wanted to open windows of opportunity for special engineering students who make a difference and deserve to be celebrated.
This sixth cohort checks the boxes.
One student was praised as a “passionate advocate of the student experience” who has a “tenacity in attacking problems” and “ingenuity to pursue positive change for the university.”
Another was commended for “collaborative leadership abilities, dedication to all aspects of organizational success, adaptability to ever-changing environments and overall commitment to excellence.”
Another was hailed as “one of the most gifted and amazing students” a long-tenured faculty member had worked with in 25-plus years at Purdue, based on being “tenacious, creative and professional in very diverse settings.”
Another was lauded for an “eagerness to tackle intricate engineering challenges in an environment that values innovation and excellence,” a “testament to a commitment to making a significant impact on society.”
Another impressed as an “ever-curious” student active in research who also is a “thoughtful and effective leader.”
“The greatest satisfaction we have ever had is watching other people grow to be the best that they can be,” said Buckman, who attended the event Monday. “The Purdue Engineering Fellows are those that best display that distinction at this time.”
Students, who will receive $25,000 upon graduation to be used in any desired endeavor, were nominated as juniors by faculty and staff. A committee made the final decision on the class.
The 2024-2025 Purdue Engineering Fellows
Raishma Anwar, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
Anwar, a biomedical engineering major with a certificate in entrepreneurship and innovation, is from Walnut Creek, California. Upon arriving at Purdue, she started a chapter of her non-profit, Project Icarus, to improve healthcare services for the homeless. She now serves as the president of Caduceus Club, the largest pre-health organization on campus; as a co-director for Boilers in Action; and as the chair for the inaugural Purdue University Student Health Service student advisory board. Additionally, she has been a design lead for the Purdue BME EPICS team for four semesters.
Outside of student organizations, she is a resident assistant for the UR Boiler Apartments and conducts research for the medical physics department in the Stantz lab. This summer, she worked as a legislative intern for the California State Assembly.
Upon graduation, Anwar plans to attend graduate school to obtain a master's in public health and a medical degree. Her favorite parts of Purdue are Room 1097 in the biomedical engineering building and the Purdue Memorial Union, where some of her greatest friendships were formed..
Jenna Carter, School of Mechanical Engineering
Carter, a Carmel, Indiana native, is majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in Spanish for Professions. Carter is actively involved in Engineers Without Borders at Purdue and has been throughout her time at Purdue.
Serving as project manager for the chapter's project in Louisiana for two years, she earned the Spirit of EPICS award for her leadership as the team worked to design and construct a community garden and is progressing through the design of a community center that can serve as a hurricane resiliency center. For her dedication to this project, Carter received the Bruce Helfert Memorial Award.
Carter served as a teaching assistant for an experimental ME Engineering Graphics and Communications course (ME 297). This year, she is working with the EPICS program to mentor a team of first-year students at Purdue University in Indianapolis with the goal of starting Purdue's second Engineers Without Borders chapter.
Off campus, Carter interned for Endress+Hauser for two years, earning the Work+Learn Indiana Work Based Learner of the Year statewide honor for her work. In Spring 2024, she completed a study abroad experience at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in Spain. Upon returning from Spain, she accepted a position as a transportation engineering intern with HDR.
Upon graduation, Carter plans to pursue a master's degree in structural engineering.
Adrienne Cibulka, School of Mechanical Engineering
Cibulka is a mechanical engineering student from St. Louis. She has been involved with the Purdue Engineering Student Council (PESC) since her first semester on campus. She currently serves as president, where her focus has been creating equitable student life experiences for new Boilermakers in Indianapolis. Previously, Cibulka served as the 2023 Industrial Roundtable Career Fair director, where she led seven of her peers in organizing a three-day fair experience with over 400 companies and 15,000 students in attendance.
Additionally, Cibulka is co-president of the Purdue Engineering President’s Council, a College of Engineering Ambassador and a member of the newly formed CARES Hub Advisory Council. She has also served as a resident assistant. Cibulka has completed two internships with Anheuser-Busch and Solar Turbines, gaining valuable experience in manufacturing and power generation.
Post-graduation, she will begin her career in industry, with the goal of advancing sustainable energy solutions. What she loves most about Purdue is the strong community that encourages her to be the best version of herself.
Luke Ford, School of Mechanical Engineering
Ford is a senior in mechanical engineering from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. During his time at Purdue, Ford has held numerous leadership roles both inside and outside of the College of Engineering. He served as a design lead and project manager for his EPICS team, an executive board member for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a member of the Student Advisory Board for the dean of engineering.
Outside of the college, Ford has been a member of the Interfraternity Council Board of Directors, the executive board for Rising Professionals, the Student Advisory Board for the Vice Provost of Student Life and is currently the President of the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society. Ford also participates in undergraduate research in the Purdue Experimental Turbine Aerothermal Lab with professor Guillermo Paniagua and will continue his research at Purdue for his master’s in mechanical engineering.
During his summers, Ford has interned as a design engineer for Northrop Grumman in Utah and a research engineer at the von Karman Institute in Belgium. He is currently participating in a fellowship program with the Department of Defense and will work as a flight test engineer for the Air Force after completing his master’s.
Brandon Mar, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Mar, who is studying biological engineering with a minor in biotechnology, is the president of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers chapter at Purdue, previously serving as vice president. In his junior year, Mar served as a co-president of Purdue Medical Innovation, Networking, and Design, an organization focused on biomedical innovation and member development. Additionally, Mar has been a part of ABE Ambassadors, Goss Scholars and Honors Engineering peer mentors.
The senior from metro Detroit is an active member of the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery and Institute for Cancer Research through Philip Low’s Lab, developing novel cancer therapeutics. He also leads an original research project with the Cari Klase group, the Biotechnology Innovation and Regulatory Science Center, as well as the Howard Hughes Medical Institute SEA-PHAGES community. In industry, Mar has completed three internships at Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Robert Weed Cooperation. He was named an Eli Lilly Make Life Better Scholarship recipient, awarded to STEM students with diverse perspectives and drive to make a positive, tangible impact.
Post-graduation, Mar plans on pursuing further training in graduate school continuing to focus on discovering cancer treatments.
Jessica Mu, Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Mu, from Kansas City, Kansas, is studying electrical engineering. She is president of the Purdue Student Engineering Foundation, leading the college’s outreach programs and efforts alongside the Office of Future Engineers. She is president of the Purdue Equestrian Team and co-president of the Purdue Engineering President’s Council. She is also involved as a College of Engineering Ambassador, Dean’s Leadership Scholar and member of Purdue Mortar Board Senior Honor Society.
Her favorite thing about Purdue is the intersection of so many passionate and driven individuals who create a welcoming, energetic and ambitious dynamic together on campus. She has completed three internships, two at Burns and McDonnell in its power grid and aviation divisions, and another this past summer at United Airlines, supporting avionics on the airline’s Boeing 787 fleet.
After graduation, Mu plans to pursue a full-time opportunity as an avionics engineer on wide-body commercial aircraft.
Maitri Pandya, School of Mechanical Engineering
Maitri Pandya is a senior in mechanical engineering pursuing a minor in Computer Science and an Applications in Data Science certificate. Pandya, from Rogers, Arkansas, has had several involvements across campus. In 2022, she helped to found and served as co-president of the Women in Mechanical Engineering student organization, supporting its growth from four members to now over 200. She currently serves as vice president of internal affairs for the Purdue Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers and supports the student organization's membership growth and outreach initiatives. Additionally, she is a member of the College of Engineering Dean’s Leadership Scholars, the Purdue Honors College, an ME sophomore seminar mentor and an Honors Engineering mentor.
Outside Purdue, she has had internships with GE Vernova, Belden Inc. and Central States Manufacturing. Pandya has enjoyed her time at Purdue working with the College of Engineering and the School of Mechanical Engineering and has found a truly supportive community among her professors, staff, faculty and peers.
She plans to stay at Purdue to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering through the 4+1 BSME/MSME program.