Four ME students selected as Purdue Engineering Fellows
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.
The 2024-2025 ME Purdue Engineering Fellows
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.
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.