Officers

Hello! I am a first year PhD student in Electrical Engineering at Penn State. I got my B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oregon State University and my M.S. in EE from Penn State. My research interests are in electronic materials, thin film devices, and semiconductor process development. I joined MEGA in 2021 and have served this wonderful organization as Treasurer since 2022. I enjoy travel, the outdoors, and live music. A fun fact about me is that one of my favorite quotes is by Mexican poet Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz: “I do not study to gain knowledge, but to ignore less.”

Email: vev5022@psu.edu

Tara is a second-year PhD student in the Materials Science and Engineering program at Penn State. She earned her BS degree in Materials Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology.
Moving to the US, she chased her passion of applying quantum mechanics and coding skills to materials design, as well as saving the environment, through applying machine learning and computational materials research for studying energy conversion systems.
In her spare time, she loves to play the piano, read books, hike, and go on new adventures.
Tara decided to serve in MEGA in order to contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment where people of all backgrounds can actively learn from friends, benefit from workshops and social events, celebrate their cultures, and grow together.

Email: tkk5303@psu.edu

Luis R. Delgado is a third year Ph.D. student in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Penn State University. He earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at El Paso and a MS degree in Civil Engineering with a minor in Public Policy from Penn State. His research interests are engineering education, diversity, equity, inclusion, and retention of underrepresented minority groups. Luis investigates how diverse human talents contribute to our profession’s social and global relevance. He has served in multiple roles and engaged in organizations that strengthen underrepresented students’ careers and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment for graduate students.

Email: lrd5287@psu.edu

Marvellous is a first-year Ph.D. student in Biorenewable Systems (Agricultural and Biological Engineering) at Penn State University. She earned her masters in the same department and her BS at the Federal University of Lafia, Nigeria. Her research interests include biofuel, bioenergy, and bioremediation. Currently, she works on the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to biohydrogen using hydrothermal gasification. She has been part of MEGA since 2022 and finds it to be an organization that encourages inclusivity and promotes belonging.

Email: mof5328@psu.edu

Dr. Lauren Griggs is the Director of the Multicultural Engineering Program and is affiliated with the Center for Engineering Outreach and Inclusion.

Email: lag5817@psu.edu

Dr. Cindy Reed is the Assistant Director of Student Research and Graduate Equity and is affiliated with the Center for Engineering Outreach and Inclusion.

Email: chr10@psu.edu