2023 – 2024 Board Members
President: Peter Caulfield
Peter is a 2nd-year PhD student in Pedro Ponte’s lab. He works on the mechanics of heterogeneous materials, with applications to soft, active materials. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the piano, sports, and the outdoors.
pcaul@seas.upenn.edu
Vice President: Riti Sharma
Riti is a 2nd year PhD student working with Dr. Ottman Tertuiliano. Her research is on bone mechanics at the micro and nano length scales. She joined Penn because the program and topic of research fit well with her interests. She is involved in MEGA and enjoys swimming, cars & ping pong. She is interested in joining industry after graduation.
ritis@seas.upenn.edu
Treasurer: Pratyaya Bhattacharya
Pratyaya is a 2nd year PhD student in Dr. Kevin Turner’s lab. His research involves mechanics of interfaces and soft actuators. In his spare time he enjoys quizzing, biking and gaming. He hopes to travel and work in industry when he graduates.
pratyaya@seas.upenn.edu
Secretary: Sindu Shanmugadas
Sindu is a 2nd year PhD student working with Dr. Haim Bau. Her research focuses on magnetohydrodynamics for medical device applications. In her free time she likes to read and paint. She is passionate about teaching and reducing the cost of health care.
sindu@seas.upenn.edu
Student Liaison: Abhishek Singhvi
Abhishek is a 2nd year Masters student specializing in Heat Transfer, Fluids and Energy. In his free time he likes to spend time outdoors, playing soccer and cooking.
asinghvi@seas.upenn.edu
GSEG Representative: Makyla Boyd
Makyla is a 2nd year PhD student working with Dr. Paolo Arratia and Dr. Doug Jerolmack. Her research is in environmental fluid dynamics, specifically in porous media flow. She plans to work in industry once she graduates.
makylab@seas.upenn.edu
GSEG Representative: Aditya Chennapragada
Aditya is a 1st year master’s student. He joined Penn because of the great mechanical engineering program. He is a part of MEGA, GASPA, and GSEG. After graduation, he wants to work for a bit and then maybe pursue a PhD.
adichen@seas.upenn.edu
For a list of previous MEGA board members click here.
Board position descriptions
President: Leads MEGA in voice and spirit, the point person between grad students and the head of MEAM department, works to secure extra funding from MEAM for MEGA, dots the i’s and crosses the t’s of any MEGA actions. This is a one-year job until next September, please make sure you and your team can still organize events during summer.
Vice President: General consulting and opinion making, steps up if/when the president is unable to fulfill the duties of the office.
Treasurer: The money person, takes receipts to GSEG treasurer for reimbursement.
GSEG Representative: Once a month meets with the general GSEG board, receives funding for events, general point person between MEGA and GSEG.
Secretary: Logistics person. Maintain a record of MEGA events and individuals tasks throughout the semester. Update and maintain MEGA website.
MEGA Student liaison: Hosts visiting students during coffee hour. Connects prospective students to current students.