ECE Ambassadors

Sophie Atkisson

Academic: Major: General Computer Engineering; Minor: Green Engineering; Graduation: Spring 2027

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: Archimedes Society, SolarCar, (SASE) Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, Honors College, previous Galipatia Upper-Class Leader

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experiences: STEM Instructor Intern at Lavner Education (Summer 2024); Parsons Corporation Intern (Summer 2025)

Favorite Thing About VT: Community events-- I love seeing so many events pop up on the drillfield when the weather is nice! Also the food is great :)

Advice for Prospective Students: Get to know your classmates-- having some friends in your major to study with will help you all succeed and makes classes more enjoyable. And go to office hours!

Marina Yamamoto Borges

Academic: Major: Machine Learning/Software Systems (not decided), Secondary focus in Chip-Scale Integration; Minors in Economics and Math

Hometown: Sao Paulo, SP - Brasil

Professional/Student Organizations: Peer Mentor at CEED, Undergraduate Researcher in the Nuclear Material and Fuel Cycle lab in VT

Projects/Community Service: Was a part of a scout group for 7 years, participated in the Big Event

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experiences: Current work as a Undergraduate Researcher, last summer worked in a tech start-up programming AI, and this summer will work as a coding assistant for BTG, an investment bank.

Favorite Thing About VT: Definitely the campus and the people. I love living in a small city and the feeling of comunity here is insane to me.

Advice for Prospective Students: Do not put too much pressure on yourself, take your time figuring out everything and definitely enjoy every moment. You can worry about the future while still being happy in the present.

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

Zach Carpenter

Academic: Electrical Engineering - 2027

Hometown: Lynchburg, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: ECE Ambassadors, Marching Virginians

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Electrical Engineer Intern at Framatome

Favorite Thing About VT: Free grilled cheese at the library for finals

Advice for Prospective Students: Don't be afraid to go to office hours or ask for help! The courses are designed to make you struggle, but that's where the real learning happens. Also if something really interests you, talk to your professors or TA's, they're often excited to help you or point you toward research and project opportunities

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!

Richard Harrison

Academic: Major: Computer Engineering: Chip-Scale Integration, Major: Electrical Engineering: Control, Robotics, & Autonomy - 2026

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

Professional/Student Organizations: Student African-American Brotherhood (President), Caribbean Student Organization (Media & Marketing Chair)

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: ECE 2564 (Embedded Systems) Undergraduate Learning Assistant, Honda Summer 2025 CO-OP Integrated Control Verification Department

Favorite Thing About VT: The left wing of Surge Space Building

Advice for Prospective Students: Perseverance is everything! Whether you struggle in one class or have a rough semester, what matters most is that you keep pushing forward. Stay focused, stay consistent, and trust that hard work will carry you through.

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.

Peter Mangan

Academic: General Electrical Engineering - 2026

Hometown: Damascus, MD

Professional/Student Organizations: Young Life, BYX

Favorite Thing About VT: The friends I've met and the great professors.

Advice for Prospective Students: Just ask if you need or want something. Whether it be a misunderstanding in class, or you're looking for a research opportunity, it's easier than you think to get things worked out.

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!

Jonathan Meeker

Academic: Major: Electrical Engineering; Minor: Economics - 2027

Hometown: Haymarket, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: Younglife

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Summer 2024 Engineering Intern at M.C Dean, Summer 2025 Research Assistant for Brain Computer Interface applications

Favorite Thing About VT: Love the community and the way the classes push you

Advice for Prospective Students: Set up your weekly schedule and tackle each assignment with plenty of time to spare. Go to office hours whenever you can!

Daniel Murray

Academic: B.S. Computer Engineering | Major: Controls, Robotics, & Autonomy | Minor(s): Mathematics and Computer Science - 2027 

Hometown: Odenton, MD

Professional/Student Organizations: RTX Workforce Development Program, Virginia Tech Club Running

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Raytheon Software Infrastructure Internship - Summer 2025

Favorite Thing About VT: I love how much school spirit and pride Hokies have. Not only is this much school spirit rare for a school as academically rigorous as Virginia Tech, but it also allows for great career opportunities and networking for students looking to find themselves in their desired career field.

Advice for Prospective Students: Take advantage of all the opportunities available! Virginia Tech allows people with all sorts of interests to pursue them via classes, research, design teams, clubs, etc. There are tons of majors and minors to explore. I came into Virginia Tech looking to do Computer Science, but after taking the time to look at the available majors and their coursework using Virginia Tech's checksheets, I thought that Computer Engineering could open doors to pursue topics I found interesting that wouldn't have been covered by a Computer Science curriculum.

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!

Diego Penadillo

Academic: Energy and Power Electronic Systems & Mathematics - 2027

Hometown: Ashburn, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: The Marching Virginians, Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Field Electrical Intern at Hanley Energy Electrical - 2024 Engineering Intern at NOVEC - 2025

Favorite Thing About VT: Everyone I've met during my time here.

Advice for Prospective Students:Remember to slow down and think back on all the great things you've accomplished so far. Looking ahead at what's coming or what you're currently facing can be overwhelming regardless of where you are in life or school. Take some time to think back and realize all of the great things you've accomplished and let that motivate you to keep pursuing your goals.

Hannah Petersen

Academic: Major: Electrical Engineering: Energy and Power Systems; Minor: Mathematics, 2027

Hometown: Vienna, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: E2E Sustainable Aviation Fuels Undergraduate Research Team, NEEC Antenna Undergraduate Research Team, Residential Wellbeing, ECE Ambassadors, SWE, WECE, IC CAE Scholars

Projects/Community Service: Array-Radome Interaction, The Effect of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on Legacy Engine Elastomer Performance, The Response of Capacitive Fuel-Level Avionics Sensors exposed to SAF, Bandpass Filters and Transmission Line Calculator

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Engineering Intern at Procter & Gamble, Fralin Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Favorite Thing About VT: Dining that’s suspiciously good

Advice for Prospective Students: Life truly begins where your comfort zone ends; Say “yes” often, lean into the challenge, and surround yourself with people who make you a better person. ECE is a challenging program, but the growth you’ll experience, the knowledge you’ll gain, and the friendships you’ll build will shape you in ways you can’t yet imagine.

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!

Aubtin Rasouli

Academic: Computer Engineering - 2027

Hometown: Ashburn, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: ECE Ambassadors, Pickleball Club, Intramural Sports

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: UVM Project/Research with Professor at Virginia Tech

Favorite Thing About VT: The endless amount of both professional and personal opportunities. Virginia Tech creates an environment where students can grow professionally while still pursuing all their hobbies and interests.

Advice for Prospective Students:  Get involved! Try to do things outside of your comfort zone, especially if you're new to Virginia Tech. The people here are amazing, and you'll quickly find what's best for you. There are also plenty of academic clubs and research opportunities specifically designed for underclassmen, which can look great on your resume later on.

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.

Callie Vinzant

Academic: Computer Engineering Chip Scale Integration - 2026

Hometown: Charlottesville, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: Treasure of The Wellness Society at Virginia Tech, ECE Ambassadors, Calculus Tutor

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Software Engineering Intern at Daikin

Favorite Thing About VT: I love the culture at Virginia Tech, when I first stepped onto campus I could tell how much all the students loved being here and it made me feel happy and welcomed.

Advice for Prospective Students: Don't be afraid to try a lot of new things and see what works. Do research and ask questions about the majors you are interested in doing.