Sean Motta
 Mr. Sean Motta, a student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering
student has been selected as the ASME Florida West Coast Section Student
Engineer of the Year. He received the award at the Tampa Bay Engineering
Week Banquet held Friday, February 10, 2010.
Mr. Motta is enrolled at
the University of South Florida where he is pursuing a double major in
Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration. Currently, he is
working on his Undergraduate Thesis for the USF Honors College.
He
graduated Summa Cum Laude from Boca Ciega High School, Gulfport, FL, in
2005 where he was also a member of the National Spanish Honor Society.
During Mr. Motta’s academic career, he has worked full-time as the
Webmaster for the USF Honors College. In 2007, using his skills as a
computer programmer and web designer, he successfully started and
managed his own company, SM Design Studios. He also conducted and led
undergraduate research, and has been heavily involved in the USF ASME
Student Section and USF Engineering EXPO activities, and serves as an
officer in both organizations. He also participated in the project to
design, test, and construct a new Electrathon vehicle to compete in the
“Electrathon of Tampa Bay” races. He has been active in the “USF
Rehabilitation Robotics Lab” as an Undergraduate Researcher.
Mr. Motta
has authored/co-authored several technical and management papers and has
made presentations related to his school and research activities at
professional conferences.
He has also worked to advance the leadership
skills of the next generation by volunteering as a leader with the Boy
Scouts. Presently, he is an Assistant Scoutmaster for BSA Troop #236 and
helped develop their first “advanced venture” team with older scouts.
Sean has strived to advance his own leadership abilities by attending
leadership-training seminars and applying learned skills in his
organizational involvements.
He is indeed a well-rounded engineering
student, and the Florida West Coast Section of ASME is proud to
designate Mr. Sean M. Motta as their “Student Engineer of the Year”.
Mr. Jose Caraballo
Jose Caraballo, a student in the
Department of Mechanical Engineering student, has been selected as the ASME Florida West Coast Section Student Engineer of the Year. He
received the award at the Tampa Bay Engineering Week Banquet held
February 20, 2009.
Jose is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at USF
where he has excelled
 academically while taking part in several student
organizations and volunteer/community service activities. Jose is
enrolled in USF’s five year program
and
he works as a USF academic research assistant. He is
performing studies and tests on the subject of mechanical stress in
thin films which allows him to apply engineering knowledge and
techniques on real-world problems in a teamwork environment.
As Vice Chair of the USF ASME Student Section,
Jose has helped organize section meetings, book speakers for meetings,
arrange industry tours of local engineering companies, and organizing
the enrollment of student members in USF sponsored competitive events
such as the Electrathon race and the ASME Student Design
Competition. These events give student section members opportunities to
associate real-life engineering problems with their course work and
engineering education.
Jose is also enrolled in the USF Honors program,
and is an officer of SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers).
He participates in several volunteer and community service activities.
In his free time, he keeps fit by running, which is his favorite hobby.
Jose Carballo is a well-rounded student and serves
as a role model for ASME Student Section members. The Florida West
Coast Section of ASME is proud to name him as our Engineering Student
of the Year.
Adam Roetter
Mr. Adam
D. Roetter received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the
University of South Florida in August of 2007 and graduated Summa
Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.93/4.0. He is presently working towards
his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and expects to complete the
program in December of 2008.
 Mr.
Roetter’s B.S. studies emphasized Biomechanics and for his M.S.
degree thesis work is focusing on studies of compliant Mechanisms
for applications within Prosthetic devices. In addition to pursuing
his engineering education, Adam is also gaining experience by
working part time as a Graduate “Research & Teaching Assistant” for
USF’s Engineering Department where he works with students to
instruct and motivate them toward excelling in engineering. He has
been the recipient of various scholarships including the Florida
“Bright Future Medallion Scholarship”, the USF Scholar’s Award, and
the R. Key Clarke scholarship.
He has
also been repeatedly noted on the “Dean’s List of Scholars” and is a
member of several engineering and Leadership Honor Societies,
including National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Phi Sigma Theta
Honor Society, Golden Key International Honor Society, and Tau Beta
Pi Engineering Honor Society (for which he’s served as President for
the past two years).
The
Florida West Coast Section of ASME is proud to name Mr. Adam D.
Roetter as our “Student of the Year”.
Megan Pendergast
Ms. Megan Pendergast is a junior in Mechanical Engineering. She will
graduate in May ‘08 with a BSME and currently has a 3.94 GPA. Ms.
Pendergast is a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and the
Student Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. She has served as
Vice President of Community Service for the National Society of
Collegiate Scholars at USF and has been recognized for an “Outstanding
Presentation” at the USF Research Experience for Undergraduates
Symposium. She is active in the Handball Club at USF, is a
captain of a winning intramural soccer team, participates in the
Running Club’s weekly runs, and USF sponsored Racquetball Tournaments.
She is active in the Tampa chapter of “Team in Training” which is the
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s primary fundraising source, and has
personally raised over $1500. She is currently doing research sponsored
by the National Science Foundation on “Nano-ripples in single crystal
materials” under the direction of USF’s Dr. Alex Volinsky.
Jamie
Trahan
Ms. Jamie Trahan is a junior in Mechanical Engineering. She will
graduate in May ‘08 with a BSME and currently has a 4.0 GPA. Ms.
Trahan received her BS in Biology from The University of Tampa with a
minor in Environmental Science graduating Magna Cum Laude. She is the
recipient of the William W. Smith Scholarship, the University of Tampa
Presidential Scholarship, and the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship.
She is on the National Dean’s List and is a member of Tau Beta Pi
Engineering Honor Society, and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor
Society. She is a founding member of the USF chapter of
“Engineers without Borders” and does volunteer work with several
community service organizations. Ms. Trahan is currently doing research
sponsored by the National Science Foundation on “numerical methods”
under the direction of USF’s Dr. Autar Kaw.
Nikesh
Patel (2006)
Mr.
Nikesh Patel is a senior enrolled the University of South Florida’s
“Double Major” engineering program pursuing a degree in both Mechanical
Engineering and Civil Engineering. He is on schedule to graduate
in May ’06 with a BSME and a BSCE degree and is enrolled in the
five-year “Master of Science in Engineering” program. Mr. Patel
received his “Associates of Arts” degree from Polk Community College in
2004 and then enrolled at USF to begin his engineering studies.
He is a recipient of the Florida “Bright Future Medallion Scholarship”
and a Rotary Club scholarship. He is also an Officer in several Student
organizations including ASME (Treasurer), ASCE (Chair), and ACI
(Vice-President). Nikesh has excelled in his academic classes
winning 1st Place in a “Machine Design” class project contest as well
as 1st Place in the ACI “Highest Compressive Strength Concrete Mix”
competition. He has served as the ASME Student Section Treasures
since 2005, and has also attended the ASME Regional Student Conference.
He has also participated in ASME FWC Section meetings. In April
’06, Nikesh plans to participate in the ASME Student Design Contest at
the Spring Student Conference, to be held in Tampa, and he is involved
in the USF Electrathon (Electric Car) design competition to be
conducted at the annual USF Engineering EXPO. Nikesh’s
extra-curricular and community activities include participation in USF
“intramural” soccer; serving as Chair of the “Student Government
Athletic Activities” committee, ’04-’05; serving as Chairman of ASCE’s
“Community Service and Professional Engineering Review” committee;
being a “Habitat for Humanity” project volunteer; and participating in
USF’s “Engineering Expo” activities. In addition to pursuing his
engineering degrees, since 2003 Nikesh has been gaining experience by
working part time as an “engineering intern” for Florida’s Department
of Transportation (FDOT). He is indeed a well-rounded engineering
student and the Florida West Coast Section of ASME is proud to
designate Mr. Nikesh Patel as their “Student Engineer of the Year
2006”.
Stephanie A. Stiber (2005)
Ms.
Stephanie A. Stiber is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at the
University of South Florida. She will graduate in May 2005 with a BSME
degree. Miss Stiber has an excellent academic record and is a member
of: National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Golden Key Honor Society,
and Phi Sigma Theta Honor Society. Stephanie is active in the USF
Students Section of ASME and is also a member of AIAA and SAW. She
presently serves as Webmaster and Newspaper Editor of the USF ASME
Students Section and has assisted in planning and conduction several
Student Section programs and activities. Stephanie has also attended
Sr. Section and Regional ASME meetings.
Stephanie
received USF’s Provost Scholar Award for superior academic achievement
and has also received other scholarship awards and recognition. She is
presently working as an undergraduate Research Student in the
Rehabilitation Engineering Section of USF’s Mechanical Engineering
Department. Stephanie does volunteer work for community service
organizations such Habitat for Humanity, and participating in charity
runs and food drives. She is a member of the Keyettes (community
service club) and worked as a teacher’s aide at a local school.
Stephanie graduated from Sarasota High School where she compiled an
outstanding academic record and also played trombone for the school’s
Marching and Symphonic Bands. She was awarded the school’s “Outstanding
Musician” Award and the U.S. Marine Youth Foundation, Inc. “Semper
Fidelis” Award in 2001. She has also played Piano for fourteen years.
Stephanie
will be a member of the USF Student Section’s “Design Team” for the
Student Design contest to be held at the Regional Student Conference in
Jacksonville, FL in April 2005.
The
Florida West Coast Section of ASME is proud to designate Miss Stephanie
A. Striber as their “Student Engineer of the Year”.
Dana Karelus (2005)
Ms.
Dana Karelus is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at the University of
South Florida. She will graduate in May 2005 with a BSME degree. Ms.
Karelus has an outstanding academic record and has been the recipient
of several scholarship awards. She is active in the USF Students
Section of ASME and also participates in other collegiate organizations
and community activities as well. She has served as Corresponding
Secretary of the USF ASME Student Section since 2002, and has also
planned and organized many Student Section programs and tours. Dana has
also attended Sr. Section and Regional ASME meetings.
Dana
is a graduate of Countryside High School where she compiled an
excellent academic record, graduating 5th in her class. She has been a
member of the United States Figure Skating Association for 13 years and
has competed at the Olympic level in numerous countries. Dana does
volunteer work for community service organizations such Habitat for
Humanity, Hope Lodge, and Safe Haven Avian Placement Services.
Dana
will be a member of the USF Student Section’s “Design Team” for the
Student Design contest to be held at the Regional Student Conference in
Jacksonville, FL in April 2005. The Florida West Coast Section of ASME
is proud to designate Miss Dana Karelus as their “Student Engineer of
the Year.”
Dennis Watkins (2004)
Mr.
Dennis Watkins is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at the University
of South Florida. Dennis is a member of the USF Student Section of ASME
and is presently serving as Activities Chairman. Dennis has
demonstrated extraordinary organization, and leadership skill in
planning, promoting and motivating students to participate in a variety
of programs. Dennis has planned and participated in ten tours since
last summer. High on his list for engineering student involvement is
community service. Dennis has organized work teams to support Habitat
for Humanity projects in the Tampa Bay area. He setup and attended the
food drive contest “Charit-a-Bull” during homecoming week and
participated in the “American Heart Walk”. The FWCS is proud to honor
Dennis Watkins as “ASME USF Mechanical Engineering Student of the Year”.
Michael U. Jurczyk (2002)
Mr.
Michael Jurczyk is a senior in the School of Mechanical Engineering at
the University of South Florida. Michael has achieved an outstanding
academic record (GPA of 3.9) and has been an active member of the USF
Student Section of ASME. He is presently serving as the section’s
“Corresponding Secretary” and has participated in ASME’s Regional
Student conferences. Michael is enrolled in USF’s “5 Yr.” Program,
which enables students to pursue a Masters degree coincident with their
BS degree work. In addition to working as a “research assistant” in the
M.E. department in the field of “dynamics” and “control of robot
manipulators”, Michael is a student member of several professional
societies including the Pi, and the Golden Key National Honor Society.
Michael is an outstanding young man and has been the recipient of
several scholarship awards. The FWCS is proud to honor Michael U.
Jurczyk as “ASME USF Mechanical Engineering Student of the Year”.
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