ECE Ambassadors

Jackson Andrew

Academic: Major - Electrical Engineering, Radio Frequency and Microwave Engineering; Minor - Green Engineering; Graduating 2026 with a masters, Part of Undergraduate/Graduate (UGG) Accelerated Program

Hometown: Katonah, New York in Westchester County

Professional/Student Organizations: Wind Turbine Team (alumni); Undergraduate/Graduate Program; Wireless@VT undergraduate researcher; Warhammer club at VT club officer aka Hokiehammer

Projects/Community Service: Northstar church stage crew

Favorite Thing About VT: I love the campus - I really like the architecture of the buildings

Advice for Prospective Students: Join as many clubs as possible! It's a great way to meet other students with similar interests. If possible join a design team it's a great way to get real experience. If you can't join a design team, It's ok! Keep an eye out for undergraduate research by talking to professors about what they do outside of class.

Yuri Braga

Academic: Software Systems, 2026

Hometown: Salvador, Brazil

Professional/Student Organizations: Club soccer, Cru at VT, BYX, SHPE, IEEE

Projects/Community Service: Bayesian obstacle detection algorithm, automated thermal impedance testing

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Electrical engineering intern at Stanley Black & Decker (DeWalt), undergraduate research at Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics and Terrestrial Robotics Engineering and Controls (TREC), ECE 2564 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

Favorite Thing About VT: The ECE department and the supportive community

Advice for Prospective Students: Always seek to connect and learn from people more knowledgeable than you

Will Brown

Academic: Computer Engineering, 2025

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Professional/Student Organizations: President of Kappa Delta Rho, CEED Peer Mentor, Intramural sports

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Engineering Intern at James Hardie (Summer 2023); Controls Engineer at Tesla in Fremont, CA

Favorite Thing About VT: It is such a great place for self discovery and personal growth through finding new passions and interests. Also the dining hall food is phenomal!

Advice for Prospective Students: Get motivated and involved. Part of transitioning into college life requires you to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people so do not shy away from opportunities. You get out what you put into it.

Tanner Casto

Academic: B.S. Electrical Engineering '26; Majoring in Radio Frequency & Microwave; Secondary focus in Communications

Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri

Professional/Student Organizations: ECE Ambassadors, IEEE@VT

Projects/Community Service: Infrared Radioteletype (RTTY), Analog Superheterodyne SSB Radio, SDR FM Radio

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Undergraduate Research with Dr. Walling; Internships: Electrical Materials and Tool Management Intern at Saunders Contracting Services Inc.

Favorite Thing About VT: There's never not something to do.

Advice for Prospective Students: Get out of your comfort zone. Go to career fairs, introduce yourself, meet new people, make friends... network. network. network.

Fun Fact: My grandpa and I tour the country on motorcycles

Ryan Convery

Academic: Major: Machine Learning; Minor: Cyber Security, 2026

Hometown: Sicklerville, NJ

Favorite Thing About VT: Everyone here is so nice and always willing to lend a hand when needed. The football games are pretty fun too!

Advice for Prospective Students: Don't be afraid to branch out and meet new people, join an organization, or try some new food. Wan is pretty good if you ask me.

Josh Grubb

Academic: Major: Electrical Engineering (Energy and Power Systems); Minor: Green Engineering, 2026

Hometown: Keedysville, MD

Professional/Student Organizations: VT Wind Turbine Team; ECE Ambassadors; SAASS Tutor

Projects/Community Service: VT Wind Turbine Team, Big Event

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: GE Vernova Onshore Wind Intern (Summer 2025)

Favorite Thing About VT: The community

Advice for Prospective Students: Always have a good balance of study time and activities you love to do!

Gobran Hanna

Academic: Major - Electrical Engineering: Micro-Nano Systems; Minor - Biomedical Engineering, 2025

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), ECE Ambassadors, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Projects/Community Service: Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) Student Service and Justice Coordinator - Assist in Scheduling / Organization of Volunteers within CCM for Micah's Backpack, To Our House, Pregnancy Resource Center, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, NRV Potato Drop, and more.

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) w/ CCM - Traveled to Louisville, KY during Spring Break 2024 to assist Catholic Charities with Refugee / Immigrant Resources.

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Wolfspeed (Summer 2024) - Product Engineer Intern

FMR Consulting (Summer 2023) – Intern; GrayUR Undergraduate Research Team (August 2023 - Present) - OpenBCI Brain Control Interface System; Astrobotics (September 2023 - May 2024) - Electrical Sub-Team

Favorite Thing About VT: Shrimp and Rice from Origami at Turners

Advice for Prospective Students: TRY EVERYTHING! Coming into VT I had never touched code in my life, built a robot, or breadboarded a circuit. I thought I was behind and let that fear keep me from signing up for clubs, design teams, research, etc. You are here to learn and nobody expects anything from you but to try, so GET OUT THERE!

Maxwell Kawada

Academic: Electrical Engineering: Controls, Robotics, and Autonomy; Computer Engineering: Machine Learning; Minors: Biomedical Engineering and Japanese Language, 2025

Hometown: Woodbridge, Virginia

Professional/Student Organizations: VT CRO - Vice President of Engineering; Flowmigos - Breakdancing Crew

Projects/Community Service: My senior design team is improving the capabilities of histotrophy, a non-invasive method of removing cancerous cells utilizing ultrasonic waves.

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: I am working on a research team that is developing Large Language Models with expertise in generating embedded, robotic, and automotive software.

Favorite Thing About VT: The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, obviously. 

Advice for Prospective Students: Learn how to study. Everybody is different, and there are so many learning methods that exist, so find what works best for you. Also, put your phone on silent.

Fun Fact: Don't forget to smile.

Zack Kreitzer

Academic: Computer Engineering - 2026

Hometown: Manassas, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: ECE ambassadors (obviously), Catholic Campus Ministry

Favorite Thing About VT: The ECE department was the thing that pulled me into VT and it continues to pull me in farther as I get to enjoy the classes and opportunities that I get to experience. On top of that, the school spirit at VT is the craziest I have ever seen.

Advice for Prospective Students: Try things out! It never hurts to go for an opportunity even if it seems impossible or crazy. We are all one people here on earth and we all want to help each other so be willing to be bold and ask for it.

Hannah Lexer

Academic: Controls, Robotics, and Autonomy – Major; Science, Technology, and Law – Minor, 2026

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Professional/Student Organizations: VP of Programming - Hillel at Virginia Tech; Member of EPS and Safety – GoAero; Delegate Member - Honor Council

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Network Engineering Intern at Verizon - (June 2023 - August 2023); Network Performance Intern at Verizon - (June 2024 - August 2024)

Favorite Thing About VT: Community

Advice for Prospective Students: My advice for prospective students is to just enjoy your time here. The years will pass by so quickly, and taking a quick moment on the drill field to enjoy the weather or see the people around you. VT experience is all up to how you want the four years to go, and I think meeting people and going to the traditional things like homecoming and football which make your experience.

Katie Martin

Academic: Major: Photonics - 2025

Professional/Student Organizations: SolarCar student design team, Female Engineering Recruitment Leadership team (FERL), IEEE@VT

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Optical fiber engineering internship with Corning

Favorite Thing About VT: All of the research and hands-on opportunities for engineering majors! Also, Hahn Garden is amazing :)

Advice for Prospective Students: Get involved! There's a lot to do here. Also, don't be afraid to talk to new people!

Rahul Muthuraman

Academic: Computer Engineering - 2025

Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: ECE Ambassadors, IEEE at Virginia Tech, Science Olympiad at Virginia Tech

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Electronics/Software Intern at Nauticus

Favorite Thing About VT: Lots of clubs or research opportunities to get involved in. There's always something to do for everyone

Advice for Prospective Students: Make use of the resources provided to you at Virginia Tech. Attend recitations or go to office hours if you're struggling in a course or can't understand a concept. There's tons of resources available for you to be successful at Virginia Tech and in ECE.

Brooks O'Hanlan

Academic: Computer Engineering: Controls, Robotics, Autonomy; Minor: Science, Technology, and Law, 2025

Hometown: Greenville, SC

Professional/Student Organizations: ECE Ambassador, Intramural Sports

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Philmont Scout Ranch

Favorite Thing About VT: I really enjoy the people and the atmosphere at VT. I also love going to our football and basketball games because we have the best fans in the country!

Advice for Prospective Students: Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and try something new. These four years in college are about finding your passions, and the possibilities at VT are endless. Whether it's joining a new club or changing your major, take the risk because this is the best time to do it. Also, have fun! Even though ECE is a challenging degree, take time for yourself to pursue other interests.

Jiyoon Paik

Academic: Computer Engineering; Minors in Computer Science, Mathematics, 2026

Hometown: Newport News, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: IEEE@VT General Officer, ECE Ambassadors, BOLT Design Team

Projects/Community Service: Residential Well Being Student Leader (RA)

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: CACI Workforce Development Intern, Research Assistant @ REGAL(Resilient Renewable Energy Grid Adaptation Laboratory), Hume Center Undergraduate Researcher

Favorite Thing About VT: The abundance of dining options and the opportunities for involvement whether that be professional or social!

Advice for Prospective Students: Get involved and don't be afraid to try out new things - there are lots of opportunities for people that are willing to take them, so put yourself out there and meet new people!

Evan Preta

Academic: Electrical Engineering: Controls, Robotics, & Autonomy, 2026

Hometown: Great Falls, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: Sigma Phi Delta and Hokie Electric Vehicle Team

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Engineering Intern at Defense Contractor, UTA for Signals & Systems, Technical Advisor at Law Firm

Favorite Thing About VT: It's everything, really. You've got people from all backgrounds and ideas coming together in this home, which is both modern and country; a true taste of every world.

Advice for Prospective Students: Stay ahead of your work. Virginia Tech has one of the best campus cultures in the country and students often get caught in the mix of it all. I always felt I had more freedom and less stress when I was able to get my work done first, then enjoy the rest of what Hokie Nation has to offer.

Emre Ramiz

Academic: B.S. Computer Engineering in Machine Learning; Minor in Leadership and Service

Hometown: Mount Olive, NJ

Professional/Student Organizations: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Air Force ROTC, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets

Favorite Thing About VT: The abundant amount of opportunities here for students. VT gives you every chance and all the help you need to succeed, I really feel like the only determining factor to your success here is your effort!

Advice for Prospective Students: Failure is a part of the learning process! Do not be discouraged. Reach out to your professors, form study groups, and get started learning your material early!

Myles Reid

Academic: Electrical Engineering

Hometown: Rockville, MD

Professional/Student Organizations: National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Wind Turbine Team (WTT), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Research Intern at Wireless at Virginia Tech Lab, Electromagnetic Effects and Design Analysis Intern at Boeing.

Favorite Thing About VT: The amount and variety of opportunities provided.

Advice for Prospective Students: Stay ahead of your work, and don't be afraid to ask for help!

Molly Shear

Academic: Major: Computer Engineering, Minor: Math, 2026

Hometown: Fairfax, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: Frith Lab, ECE Ambassadors, VT BOLT

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Marine Software Engineering Intern with Garmin

Favorite Thing About VT: The many activities and opportunities around campus

Advice for Prospective Students: Start looking at checksheets early! Also, join one of the many clubs on campus! They're a great way to meet other students who you can relate to. :)

Timberly Tran

Academic: Major: Electrical Engineering | Minor: Green Engineering, 2026

Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia

Professional/Student Organizations: Hypatia, IEEE, SWE, SASE, VT CRO

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: English-2-Engineering

Favorite Thing About VT: There is so much to do at VT! There is always an event or club to go to, and everyone here is super friendly. I also love the Hokie bird

Advice for Prospective Students: Don't be afraid to fail! It's a normal part of learning and you can always bounce back from it. The biggest setback is not even trying.