Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Student Voices

Hear from current students and recent graduates about how they made the most out of their time on campus.

MIE students

UMass Amherst Mechanical and Industrial Engineering students are addressing some of society's most pressing challenges in the areas of including energy, health care, robotics, transportation, manufacturing, and much more.

We believe the best education doesn’t end in the classroom. Our students learn deeply through close interactions with our world-class faculty, research experiences in a variety of fields, and engagement in internships, co-ops, service-learning opportunities, student groups, and more. 

As you plan your own academic journey, we invite you to draw inspiration from some of students, who share their UMass experience in their own words below.

The UMass Rocket Team really shaped a lot of my college experience and gave me so many opportunities that led me to where I am today! It's super exciting that the college is developing the Aerospace curriculum and I had the opportunity to take a few classes in it before I graduate!

Brigid Duffy '26, Mechanical Engineering

Brigid Duffy served as president of the UMass Rocket Team and secretary of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics student chapter. She also completed internships at Analog Devices and Brooks Automation. Brigid worked as a student staff member in the Career Center, served as an Engineering Peer, and was a teaching assistant for MATLAB, Manufacturing Processes, and Strength of Materials. She completed a minor in Engineering Management, earned an Aerospace Engineering Certificate, and conducted an honors thesis through the Commonwealth Honors College.
Learn more about the UMass Rocket Team
John Troy: "It was always really important to me to explore a wide range of engineering experiences. In my time at UMass, I've been able to challenge myself with aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, and biomedical projects. UMass truly has so much to offer, and my advice to incoming students is to take full advantage of it!"

John Troy '26, Mechanical Engineering

During his time in the Riccio College of Engineering, John Troy completed two internships with Apple’s Softgoods team, one as a Product Design Engineer and another as a Manufacturing Design Engineer. He also interned at Chromalloy, where he worked on electroplating and diffusion coating projects in aerospace manufacturing. As part of an independent project on campus, he developed an electric biopsy needle for cancer research. After graduation, he returned to Apple full-time as an iPhone Product Design Engineer.
"Learning how optimization and energy systems modeling can help inform decisions related to the energy transition has been one of the most rewarding parts of my Ph.D. experience. At UMass Amherst, I've had the opportunity to work on research with real-world applications while collaborating with faculty and students across different disciplines. What I appreciate most is being part of a community that encourages curiosity and collaboration and supports research with meaningful impacts on communities."

Faustina Sarfo, PhD candidate, Industrial Engineering

Faustina Sarfo’s research focuses on developing data analytics and energy systems models that support equitable, reliable, and sustainable electricity access. Before coming to UMass Amherst, she worked on major infrastructure, electrical, and offshore energy projects in Ghana. Her work integrates community perspectives into energy planning and policy, with a particular focus on underserved populations and energy justice. In recognition of her academic excellence, mentoring, and leadership in advancing sustainable energy systems, she has received both the Association of Energy Engineers' Ruth Whitlock CWEEL Scholarship and the New England Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers Scholarship.
"Within my lab, I was encouraged to go outside of my department to address questions and challenge my understanding of research topics. Groups like the Energy Transition Institute and ELEVATE facilitated opportunities to allow for these types of collaborations. This has led to me finding mentors, learning from colleagues, and gaining friendships!"

Jonisha Aubain, PhD candidate, Mechanical Engineering

Jonisha Aubain’s research focuses on advancing tidal energy technologies for coastal and island communities. Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, she studies the design, construction, and deployment of tidal energy systems with the goal of expanding access to sustainable, resilient solutions. Aubain is an ELEVATE Fellow with the UMass Energy Transition Institute and received a collaborative grant with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop a reference tidal turbine for research and outreach. Beyond her research, she is active in organizations that support women and underrepresented groups in STEM, including the Graduate Women in STEM program and the National Society of Black Engineers. She was recently named a Switzer Environmental Fellow.
"What I love most about the Riccio College of Engineering is its culture of accessibility. Professors know your name, staff members help you navigate challenges, and students collaborate rather than compete."

Arnav Gholap, MS student, Engineering Management

Arnav Gholap is a master’s student whose interests span systems analysis, process improvement, and organizational communication. At UMass Amherst, he serves as both a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Career Development Associate, helping students translate complex technical work into clear, compelling narratives. His professional experience includes business analytics roles in technology and manufacturing, where he used data-driven approaches to improve operations, streamline workflows, and support cross-functional decision-making. Recognized for his problem-solving and user-centered thinking, Gholap has won campus innovation competitions for developing solutions that help students better navigate university resources and services.
Learn more about the Master of Science in Engineering Management
Thomas Schroter: "I have made so many great memories, met so many awesome people, and learned so much, not just about the world of engineering, but also about myself. I had the best experience when I was opening myself up to new things, challenging myself in classes, and making new friends along the way. My advice to any incoming students would be don't knock anything until you try it, and don’t be afraid to mess up!"

Thomas Schroter '26, Industrial Engineering

Thomas Schroter worked as a research assistant in the Supply Chain Lab under the mentorship of Ana Muriel and Kelvin Ekun, earning the 2026 Industrial Engineering Research Star Award. He also served as a teaching assistant for Undergraduate Simulation Methods and Graduate-Level Descriptive Analytics. Beyond academics, Thomas was involved in the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE), Formula One UMass, and the Rocket Team. He completed a supply chain internship at Klüber.
"A lot of the classes at UMass, especially in STEM fields, lay out the framework to start your own venture. You just have to take a leap of faith, have a little bit of fun, and see what happens."

Flo Sabatini '25, Mechanical Engineering

Flo Sabatini is part of a team developing a kinetic energy-harvesting technology to revolutionize the wearable tech industry—he is a cofounder of the start-up Diel Technologies, which won the top prize in the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship’s 2025 Innovation Challenge.
Learn more about Diel Technologies
Team working in France

A Capstone Experience

In the Senior Capstone Design experience, student teams address real-world challenges through industry-sponsored projects, bridging the gap between coursework and practical application. Last year, one of the student teams designed a floating offshore wind structure—then they brought it to France.
Read more about their project
Aeronautics team

Beyond the Classroom

The UMass Aeronautics Team competes in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Design, Build, Fly International Competition. In 2024, the team finished first in New England. Students apply their classroom knowledge to real-world problems in the aviation, UAV, and VTOL industries.
Read more about the UMass Aeronautics Team

Ian Goodine & Ethan Walko '21, '22 MS | co-founders of rStream

Hear about their journey from a student project to the launch of their business. 

Read more

Read stories about the student experience at the UMass Amherst Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department.