ECE Ambassadors

Ramya Aluri

Academic:  B.S. Computer Engineering in Controls, Robotics, and Autonomy; Secondary Focus in AI & Machine Learning; Minor in Computer Science; Expected Graduation: May 2024

Hometown: Richmond, VA

Professional / Student Organizations: Hokie Electric Vehicle Team, Association of Women in Computing

Internships: This past summer I did an internship at the Boeing Company working as a Software Development Intern in the Flight Simulation Department where I still currently work part-time. Prior to that, I have done research at UVA in the biomechanics department study.

Favorite thing about VT: Finding all kinds of people to challenge and motivate you to better yourself. I love that you can find a second family here! The campus during fall is so pretty with all the fun activities and the football games.

Advice: Ask a lot of questions! Everyone is eager to learn and hear what you have to say. Also, take advantage of all the opportunities you come across during your time here and never undervalue yourself.

Shreya Balaji

Academic: Computer Engineering; Minor: Entrepreneurship; Graduating: Spring 2024

Hometown: South Brunswick, NJ

Professional/Student Organizations: IEEE Industry Relations Chair

Projects/Community Service: Volunteer Teacher for Thiruvalluvar Tamil School; Tutor High Schoolers in Math

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Controls Engineering Intern at Hitachi Energy in Summer 2022; Manufacturing Engineering Intern at Hitachi Energy in Summer 2021; Cooper Union Summer STEM Program in Summer 2020

Favorite Thing About VT: My favorite thing about VT is the people. I love how people are always willing to help, no matter what. Everyone is so kind and welcoming.

Advice for Prospective Students: Push yourself to go outside of your comfort zone. Be open to trying new things and don't restrict yourself. VT has plenty of opportunities so make the best use them. Keep an open mind and try out as much as you can!

Jess Beltz

Academic: B.S. Electrical Engineering 2024

Hometown: Coopersburg, Pennsylvania

Professional/Student Organizations: IEEE, ECE Ambassadors, Society of Women Engineers

Projects/Community Service: The Big Event

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Supply Chain Engineering Intern - ABEC, Inc.

Favorite Thing About VT: I love how Tech gives a big school, small home feel. When I walk to my classes, I pass by people that I know every time. Also, Enter Sandman at Lane!

Advice for Prospective Students: Don't be shy and try new things. Maybe join a club, intramural sports team, or simply a new restaurant down town. The options are endless!

Thomas Boris

Academic: Computer Engineering, 2024

Hometown: Leesburg, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: ECE Ambassadors

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Software engineering internship at United Real Estate

Favorite Thing About VT: The people I've met during my time here

Advice for Prospective Students: Don't be afraid to put yourself out there.

Will Brown

Academic: Computer Engineering: Machine Learning, Spring 2025

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Professional/Student Organizations: CEED Peer Mentoring, IEEE Member, Kappa Delta Rho, Intramural Basketball

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Engineering Intern at James Hardie (Summer 2023)

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.

Nathalie Chambi

Academic: B.S Computer Engineering | Secondary Focus in Networking and Cybersecurity | 2024

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers - Engagement Chair, VTHacks, FERL, ECE Ambassador, CONFORM - Undergrad Research

Favorite Thing About VT: The scenario in the evening and in the Fall. There is a reason the colors of VT are maroon and orange!

Advice for Prospective Students: Asking questions is a valuable part of your educational journey; if the first person won't help you, you'll meet the person who does next.

Other/Fun Fact: Before I attended Virginia Tech, I transferred from NOVA Community College. I joined the Transfer LLC and it was the greatest thing I did coming to VT, I recommend joining an LLC if you can. If you have any questions or want to chat, please don't be afraid to reach out to me!

Claire Doody

Academic: BSCPE - Major: Software Systems; Minors: Computer Science, Math, 2024

Hometown: Great Falls, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: Soulstice A Cappella, Student Alumni Association, Chi Omega

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: CACI - Software engineer summer 2022

Favorite Thing About VT: Virginia Tech has the best spirit ever! For any event going on around campus Hokies are always excited! The campus is also so beautiful and makes me smile everyday while walking around.

Advice for Prospective Students: Do not worry if you don't know what you want to study yet! There are great resources here to help you decide what academic path you want to choose. Also, there are classes that help guide this decision making process. I did not know what I wanted to do, but I found myself in ECE after taking the freshman courses!

Sarah Fox

Academic: Major: Computer Engineering; Minors: Human Computer Interaction & Music (Viola); Graduation: 2024

Hometown: Calvert County Maryland

Professional/Student Organizations: Alpha Omega Epsilon , VT Philharmonic

Projects/Community Service: I run a small business selling digital products and donate a portion to programs supporting different causes including promoting STEM education! I also help with Virginia Tech String Project, which teaches students k-12 how to play stringed instruments because of the lack of orchestra programs in Blacksburg and surrounding areas. I am helping organize STEM outreach throughout local middle and high schools to further their knowledge in ECE concepts such as programming Arduinos.

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: 2 summers as an intern at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Favorite Thing About VT: The amazing people you meet and endless opportunities for whatever your passion may be

Advice for Prospective Students: Get used to feeling uncomfortable, and learn to love it! College and especially ECE is a lot to manage on top of countless of new experiences. There will be times that you may think that it is unmanageable, but learn to thrive (its very rewarding)! Also remember to eat sleep and have fun, those are important too ;)

Eashan Gupta

Academic: BSCPE - Major: Controls, Robotics & Autonomy; Minor: Quantum Information Science and Engineering; 2024

Hometown: Ashburn, Virginia

Professional/Student Organizations: Project Lead - SolarCar at Virginia Tech (SCAVT); Undergraduate Student Researcher at TREC Lab; ECE Ambassador

Projects/Community Service: Just a few fun self projects: Actively working on live image detection through webcam that records and sends text notifications when people are detected. (Basically a ring camera but for my desktop webcam!!)

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Artificial Intelligence Intern at MITRE (Summer 2022)

Favorite Thing About VT: The opportunity to get involved with and learn more about almost anything that you find interesting!

Advice for Prospective Students: Be annoying. Send emails to professors, schedule appointments with advisors, apply to design teams, ask questions during lecture, go talk to people and make friends! Even if you may feel underqualified or unconfident, It doesn't matter! You'll rarely ever regret it, and everyone is just as confused and lost as you.

Gobran Hanna

Academic: Machine Learning, May 2025 | Secondary Focus: Chip-Scale Integration

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: NSBE member, IEEE member, Skate Club

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Working on it...

Favorite Thing About VT: Origami when they have shrimp. But really, the fact that there is always something to do, some club hang out to attend, and some event to run into. I have no reason to be cooped up in my room when I don't want to, except for homework.

Advice for Prospective Students: If you're gonna try for ECE or any major for that matter, give it your all; don't take this opportunity for granted. LEARN,  DON'T JUST PASS. It's not worth getting a good grade if you gained nothing. The knowledge you leave college with is what really matters in the end.

Annie Landgraf

Academic: Major: Controls, Robotics, and Autonomy (CPE). Minors: Green Engineering and Economics. Graduating May 2024

Hometown: Charles County, Maryland

Professional/Student Organizations: IEEE - General Officer, ECE Ambassadors, Scientistas, Hokie Pride

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Instructor with iDTech

Favorite Thing About VT: I love how much VT has to offer. You can meet people and get involved in so many different ways!

Advice for Prospective Students: Don't give up on things. Things can feel scary and imposter syndrome can definitely be common but more often than not there are other people who are feeling the same way. Don't be afraid to get involved in more than just academics. There are so many opportunities that you can explore and get involved with that can make your experience much more enjoyable and can help you find great people.

Jenny Li

Academic: Software System, Minor: Innovation, May 2024

Hometown: Chesapeake, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: IEEE, SWE, SASE, CEED, SSC

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Digital Signal Processing/ Full Stack Software Developer Intern at CACI

Favorite Thing About VT: My favorite thing about VT is the amount of activities. There is no shortage of things to do around campus due to the large amount of clubs and opportunities.

Advice for Prospective Students: Not everything will always work according to your perfect schedule. Live a little and be spontaneous. You might just experience something that becomes a new passion.

Katie Martin

Academic: BSEE - Major: Photonics, 2024

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!

Arya Naren

Academic: BSCPE - Major - Software Systems, Minor - Business, 2024

Hometown: Fairfax, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: IC CAE Scholars, ECE Ambassadors

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Systems Engineer @ Visa (Summer '23, '22), Undergraduate Research Assistant @ Hume Center (2021 - 2022)

Favorite Thing About VT: The people, community, opportunities, and connections you can find here

Advice for Prospective Students: Put yourself out there and ask as many questions as you can!

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.

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!

Kavya Somala

Academic: Computer Engineering, Psychology, May 2024

Hometown: Richmond, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: IEEE @ VT, Hindu YUVA

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: FedEx Co-Op in Fall of 2022

Favorite Thing About VT: The beautiful architecture and the sweet people

Advice for Prospective Students: It's overwhelming, but we're all in it together and you will get through it.

Anna Sullivan

Academic: Radio and Microwave Frequency, 2024

Hometown: Vienna VA

Professional/Student Organizations: Virginia Tech Club Triathlon and The Hume Center for National Security and Technology

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Antenna Intern at Jacobs and RF Engineering Intern at CACI

Favorite Thing About VT: There tends to be a place for everyone no matter what you like to do in your free time. It’s a big school so there will be a group of people out there that share your interests you just have to find them!

Advice for Prospective Students: Getting really involved in one or two student organizations that you can dedicate you time to is the way to go in my opinion. You really get to know the other students better and you don’t spread yourself too thin.

Ivan Torres

Academic: BSEE - Major: Energy and Power Electronics Systems; Minor: Business, 2023

Hometown: Woodbridge, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers at Virginia Tech (IEEE@VT), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Virginia Tech (SHPE@VT)

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: Engineering Intern with M.C. Dean Inc (2021)

Favorite Thing About VT: The pride of being a Hokie! Everyone wants to help out and motivate you. There are endless opportunities here at Tech!

Advice for Prospective Students: Anything is possible, the good or the bad.Be prepared for anything that lifes throws at you and stay resilient.

Maria Zakhem

Academic: Electrical Engineering with a Focus in Controls, Robotics, and Autonomy

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

Professional/Student Organizations: Electrical and Computer Engineering Student, CEED Peer Mentor, Global Engineering Ambassador, President of the Cedars of Lebanon Club, Active Sister in the Alpha Omega Epsilon Sorority

Internships/Co-ops/Other Experience: May 2021 - August 2021: Quality Engineering Intern at The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company

May 2022 - August 2022: Instrumentation Engineering Intern at ExxonMobil

May 2023 - August 2023: Design Engineering Intern at Boeing

Favorite Thing About VT: The people, campus, and food :)

Advice for Prospective Students: Say yes to everything and make the most of everything because time flies by and it will all be over soon!