Public Relations Committee

Kate Albanese is a senior at Purdue University studying Mechanical Engineering. This summer she finished her second design co-op for Honda at the Automotive Development Center. Over her two terms at Honda, she has expanded her CAD skills through designing a prototype mock-up that successfully confirmed feasibility for a potential new-value product, worked with a fellow co-op to design a test buck mimicking closure designs, and developed department-specific informative guides for future co-ops and new hires. This past semester she was a part of Purdue’s study abroad program in Paris, France, and enhanced her French language skills and intercultural awareness over the semester while studying at ESTACA. In spring 2024 she was a quality control engineer at a Toyota manufacturing plant (TMMI). During her time at Toyota, Kate worked with supplier representatives to ensure changes and procedures for parts were documented and followed to plant standards. At Purdue, in addition to being a Purdue Mechanical Engineering Ambassador, Kate is the External VP for the Women in Motorsports Council (WiMC), participates in JMHC Research, and more. In her free time Kate enjoys card games, movies, puzzles, chess, finding a good cookie recipe, and spending time with friends and family.

Tyler Cormier is a Senior in the school of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, and in the John Martinson Honors College. Tyler is the Chief Mechanical Engineer, and former Vehicle Dynamics sub-team lead of Purdue Electric Racing FSAE team, handling suspension, steering, and brakes systems. He grew up racing go-karts competitively, achieved runner-up national champion in autocross, and now competes with the Purdue team as a driver. Last year, PER placed top 10 in the country at Michigan, with Tyler driving in the 10th place Autocross, and the 9th place Endurance. PER strengthened his CAD, design, and manufacturing experience for a future career in industry. Tyler worked at Honda last summer, in the in-vehicle Infotainment Design department. Tyler’s internship prior was at Hamilton Beach working on product testing for the coffee team. In his free time, he loves attending Purdue sporting events, hanging out with friends, and traveling.

Lahari is a senior from South Brunswick, New Jersey studying Mechanical Engineering. Last summer, she interned at SpaceX as an Integration & Test Intern in Hawthorne, CA. Previously she did a 7 month Co-op with Rivian as an Integration Intern and a summer internship with John Deere as a Product Engineering Intern. Lahari is currently involved in PMEA, SWE, and Boiler Bhangra. In her free time, Lahari loves to go to Purdue basketball games, participate in IM sports with her friends, and cook different dishes!

Katia Olmstead is a senior studying Mechanical Engineering. Last summer, she interned at Linde Advanced Material Technologies in Indianapolis, IN, as an atomization engineering intern for a second term, focusing on optimizing equipment efficiency in the powder plant’s processing and combustion spray pyrolysis sectors. While on campus, she’s on the public relations committee for PMEA, did research regarding equine fluid mechanics, mentored students for WIE and ME 290, and is a member of PURC. She also has experience extending to ASME, SASE, GEA, TA ENGR131/132,UC3M’s study abroad program, and Purdue’s Orientation program, BGR. In her free time, Katia enjoys running, cooking, hiking, thrifting, and arts/crafts.

Emerson Zubb - Senior from Paris, France | Minor: Sustainable Engineering | PMEA Public Relations Committee | WiE Mentors and Mentees Program

Emerson Zubb is a senior in Mechanical Engineering and pursuing a minor in Sustainable Engineering from Paris, France. This past summer, Emerson spent two summers interning at ComEd, in Oakbrook, IL, working on identifying low-voltage meters and updating software to improve voltage optimization. As a member of PMEA, Emerson was the Vice President and a ME 199 How Stuff Works Course Coordinator. She is also involved in the Women in Engineering Program. In the past, Emerson participated in undergraduate research studying pulse flow reverse osmosis and its applications to vertical farming structures. She has also been a TA for ME 200 and ME 274. Upon graduating this spring, Emerson will be working at Arup as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer in Seattle, WA! In her free time, Emerson likes to read, bake, crochet, and go to basketball games.

Sofia Velarde is a senior from San Diego, California, studying Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. She previously interned at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company as an R&D intern, where she prototyped lunar tires for NASA’s Artemis Mission and explored her passion for research and planetary engineering. Most recently, Sofia interned at Solar Turbines in San Diego with the Test Execution Group, working on test engines designed for diverse applications, including powering AI data centers. After graduation, she will be returning to Solar Turbines full time as a Test Engineer. At Purdue, Sofia is deeply involved in Purdue Lunabotics (former President and Treasurer), leading and collaborating with a team of undergraduates to design and manufacture a lunar construction robot for NASA’s annual competition. She has also conducted undergraduate research with Purdue’s Resilient ExtraTerrestrial Habitat Institute (RETHi), where she designed and simulated concepts for future lunar habitats. Outside of engineering, Sofia enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with friends.

Kavina Rajan is a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering and pursuing a minor in Design and Innovation. She has completed research on the design and test of a turbine system for a micro turbojet engine, as well as presented it at an AIAA conference last spring. On campus, she is a member of the Public Relations Committee for PMEA, the Turbojet team at PURPL, Women in Engineering Learning Community, and Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She plans to study abroad in May after her junior year. In her free time, Kavina enjoys taking workout classes, watching reality TV, and trying new restaurants with her friends.

Daniel Sigmund - Sophomore from Lancaster, PA | Mechanical Engineering |TeamAg Inc | PMEA Public Relations Committee, Purdue Space Program, Purdue Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society |

Daniel Sigmund is a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering from Lancaster, PA. This past summer, he was a Mechanical Engineering intern at TeamAg Inc, where he supported engineering work focused on reducing the cost of manure storage covers. His main focus was designing a low-cost biogas analyzer to measure gas composition during cover testing, helping evaluate system performance and validate methane production. Next summer, he will be a Mechanical Engineering intern for Hershey Chocolate in Robinson, Illinois. On campus, Daniel is a member of Purdue Space Program, where he is a responsible engineer for the Condor Liquid Rocket Engine Test Cell. He is also part of the Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society (AESS), where he is on the propulsion team for their supersonic UAV, and he serves on the Public Relations Committee of PMEA. In his free time, Daniel enjoys weightlifting, mountain biking, hiking, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Aidan Weiss is a sophomore from Middletown, Delaware, studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. Here at Purdue, Aidan is part of PMEA and serves on the Public Relations committee. On campus, he’s also involved with the Purdue Space Program and Purdue Electric Racing clubs to strengthen his technical knowledge and expertise. Aidan also holds professional certifications ranging from Project Management and Professionalism to 3-D Printing and Spatial Visualization. In his free time, he enjoys running, spending time with friends, weightlifting, reading, and hiking.