Peer Mentors
About
Engineer Peers are upperclassmen students who help first year students feel welcome in the College of Engineering.
First Time First Year (FTFY) students are paired with a Peer through freshmen one credit seminar courses. A pair of Peers supports each first-year seminar section, and each Peer is assigned to two sections. The Peers connect with FTFY students through these seminars as well as through the social events that they host.
Brigid Duffy '26
Major/Minor/Certificates.: Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Engineering Management, pursuing Aerospace Engineering Certificate
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2026
Hometown: Waltham, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: President of Rocket Team, Secretary of AIAA, UTA for MIE 375: Manufacturing Processes, Student Staff at the Career Center
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Science Fiction/Fantasy Movies, Biographical/Historical Books, Volleyball
Fun Fact: I worked as a manufacturing engineering intern over the summer for Analog Devices
Future Goal(s): Get my masters in Aerospace Engineering or Bioastronautics while working full time in a related field
Favorite Movie: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2026
Hometown: Waltham, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: President of Rocket Team, Secretary of AIAA, UTA for MIE 375: Manufacturing Processes, Student Staff at the Career Center
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Science Fiction/Fantasy Movies, Biographical/Historical Books, Volleyball
Fun Fact: I worked as a manufacturing engineering intern over the summer for Analog Devices
Future Goal(s): Get my masters in Aerospace Engineering or Bioastronautics while working full time in a related field
Favorite Movie: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Jessica Tian '28
Major/Minor/Certificates, etc.: Computer Engineering, Sport Management
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2028
Hometown: China
School Related Activities/Interests: Skating Club, Research volunteer in Kidney OCT Image Labeling
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Skating, Skiing, traveling, Softball
Fun Fact: The sum of my parents’ birth month and date is my birthday
Future Goal(s): Work as a software engineer
Favorite movie: Coco
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2028
Hometown: China
School Related Activities/Interests: Skating Club, Research volunteer in Kidney OCT Image Labeling
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Skating, Skiing, traveling, Softball
Fun Fact: The sum of my parents’ birth month and date is my birthday
Future Goal(s): Work as a software engineer
Favorite movie: Coco
Hanna Liauchonak '27
Major: Industrial Engineering
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario & Minsk, Belarus
School Related Activities: Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers VP, Healthcare Operations Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Weightlifting, Reading, Technology
Fun Fact: My dog works at my hometown gym!
Future Goals: Determine exactly what I want to achieve in life.
Favorite Book: The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario & Minsk, Belarus
School Related Activities: Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers VP, Healthcare Operations Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Weightlifting, Reading, Technology
Fun Fact: My dog works at my hometown gym!
Future Goals: Determine exactly what I want to achieve in life.
Favorite Book: The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
James Buckley '26
Major/Minor/Certificates: Biomedical Engineering
Expected Graduation Month/Year: May 2026
Hometown: Wakefield, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: Ski and Board Club, Meditation Club, Smash UMA
Outside Hobbies/Interests: reading, drawing, video Gaming, hanging out with my friends, baseball
Fun Fact: I have seen all 30 baseball teams live
Future Goal(s): Pursue my Master’s in BME
Favorite Movie: Dune 2
Expected Graduation Month/Year: May 2026
Hometown: Wakefield, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: Ski and Board Club, Meditation Club, Smash UMA
Outside Hobbies/Interests: reading, drawing, video Gaming, hanging out with my friends, baseball
Fun Fact: I have seen all 30 baseball teams live
Future Goal(s): Pursue my Master’s in BME
Favorite Movie: Dune 2
Rosie Harrison '28
Major/Minor/Certificates, etc. Mechanical engineering major, pursuing math minor and aerospace certificate
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2028
Hometown: Cohasset, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: Treasurer + Recovery Engineer on Rocket Team, 3D Printing Intern at ADDFab, DJ on WMUA Student Radio
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Listening to music + collecting old tapes, running, exploring new places
Fun Fact: I am originally from NSW, Australia but went to school here!
Future Goal(s): Work towards a masters in aerospace engineering and move to the mountains somewhere
Favorite Game: Zelda Breath of the Wild
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2028
Hometown: Cohasset, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: Treasurer + Recovery Engineer on Rocket Team, 3D Printing Intern at ADDFab, DJ on WMUA Student Radio
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Listening to music + collecting old tapes, running, exploring new places
Fun Fact: I am originally from NSW, Australia but went to school here!
Future Goal(s): Work towards a masters in aerospace engineering and move to the mountains somewhere
Favorite Game: Zelda Breath of the Wild
Pranav Kadam '27
Major: Computer Engineering
Graduation: May 2027
Hometown: Pune, India
School related Activities: Badminton Club,RISE Scholar, Secretary at PIT club
Hobbies: Gaming, Archery, Rock Climbing, Sketching
Fun Fact: I am ambidextrous, and can play 5 musical instruments.
Favorite Quote: “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.” – Albert Einstein
Future Goals: Aim to join a leading semiconductor company, designing and optimizing innovative circuits to advance cutting-edge chip technologies and system-on-chip solutions.
Graduation: May 2027
Hometown: Pune, India
School related Activities: Badminton Club,RISE Scholar, Secretary at PIT club
Hobbies: Gaming, Archery, Rock Climbing, Sketching
Fun Fact: I am ambidextrous, and can play 5 musical instruments.
Favorite Quote: “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.” – Albert Einstein
Future Goals: Aim to join a leading semiconductor company, designing and optimizing innovative circuits to advance cutting-edge chip technologies and system-on-chip solutions.
Manny Kum '27
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Graduation Date (exp): May 2027
Hometown: Worcester, MA
School Related Activities: Involved in UMass University Programming Council (UPC)
Hobbies: Music (Listening and Playing), TV/PopCulture, Reading, Baking
Fun Fact: I’ve listened to Beyonce’s entire discography(released)
Future Goals: Being on the forefront of discovering clean energy alternatives
Favorite TV Show: The Flash (seasons 1-3)
Graduation Date (exp): May 2027
Hometown: Worcester, MA
School Related Activities: Involved in UMass University Programming Council (UPC)
Hobbies: Music (Listening and Playing), TV/PopCulture, Reading, Baking
Fun Fact: I’ve listened to Beyonce’s entire discography(released)
Future Goals: Being on the forefront of discovering clean energy alternatives
Favorite TV Show: The Flash (seasons 1-3)
Andrew Magner '27
Major/Minor/Certificates, etc. Double Major in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, Minor in Mathematics and pursuing aerospace certificate
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2027
Hometown: Andover, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: Avionics and Recovery Lead for the UMass Rocket Team, Vice Chair for AIAA
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Rocketry, Programming, LEGOs, Theatre, and Football
Fun Fact: Back in high school I did a lot of acting in theatre. I won state awards for it and ended up performing in front of crowds of over 1200 people.
Future Goal(s): Would love to pursue a masters in aerospace engineering and then enter the space launch industry working on avionics and flight software
Favorite Album: MYTH by The Narcissist Cookbook
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2027
Hometown: Andover, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: Avionics and Recovery Lead for the UMass Rocket Team, Vice Chair for AIAA
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Rocketry, Programming, LEGOs, Theatre, and Football
Fun Fact: Back in high school I did a lot of acting in theatre. I won state awards for it and ended up performing in front of crowds of over 1200 people.
Future Goal(s): Would love to pursue a masters in aerospace engineering and then enter the space launch industry working on avionics and flight software
Favorite Album: MYTH by The Narcissist Cookbook
Joao Santos '28
Expected Graduation: Spring 2028
Hometown: Brookline, MA
School-Related Activities/Interests: Research member at Computational Simulation Lab; BioSci Club member; HR Onboarding Facilitator & Editor for the Culinary Career Ladder Program
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Collecting CDs, listening to music, soccer, tennis, Formula 1, writing, reading, biking
Fun Fact: I’m originally from Brazil and moved here five years ago.
Future Goal(s): Live in a city like Boston to be near family, and maybe pursue an MBA to enter the business sector.
Favorite Song Right Now: 1999 No Cigar
Hometown: Brookline, MA
School-Related Activities/Interests: Research member at Computational Simulation Lab; BioSci Club member; HR Onboarding Facilitator & Editor for the Culinary Career Ladder Program
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Collecting CDs, listening to music, soccer, tennis, Formula 1, writing, reading, biking
Fun Fact: I’m originally from Brazil and moved here five years ago.
Future Goal(s): Live in a city like Boston to be near family, and maybe pursue an MBA to enter the business sector.
Favorite Song Right Now: 1999 No Cigar
Samantha Yakscoe '26
Major/Minor/Certificates, etc.: Civil Engineering
Expected Graduation Month/Year: May 2026
Hometown: Havertown, PA
School Related Activities/Interests: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Concrete Canoe, employed at the Rec Center
Outside Hobbies/Interests: reading, djing, spending time outside
Fun Fact: I am the manager of the women’s ice hockey team!
Future Goal(s): I want to work on a construction crew
Favorite Movie: Surf’s Up
Expected Graduation Month/Year: May 2026
Hometown: Havertown, PA
School Related Activities/Interests: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Concrete Canoe, employed at the Rec Center
Outside Hobbies/Interests: reading, djing, spending time outside
Fun Fact: I am the manager of the women’s ice hockey team!
Future Goal(s): I want to work on a construction crew
Favorite Movie: Surf’s Up
Bridget Monks '28
Major/Minor/Certificates, etc: Chemical Engineering, iCons Certificate
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2028
Hometown: Boston, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: SWE (society of women engineers), AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers)
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Movies, Crafts, Outdoor Activities; hiking, rock climbing
Fun Fact: I’m a capricorn, and love taking .5 photos
Future Goal(s): Work in healthcare pharmaceuticals
Favorite movie: Catch me if you can
Favorite Musical: Hamilton
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2028
Hometown: Boston, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: SWE (society of women engineers), AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers)
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Movies, Crafts, Outdoor Activities; hiking, rock climbing
Fun Fact: I’m a capricorn, and love taking .5 photos
Future Goal(s): Work in healthcare pharmaceuticals
Favorite movie: Catch me if you can
Favorite Musical: Hamilton
Donrae Richardson '26
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May 2026
Hometown: Everett, Massachusetts
Activities: Outing Club and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Member
Hobbies: Intramural Basketball, Cooking, Baking
Future Goals: Pursue the fields of either medical devices or tissue engineering
Expected Graduation: May 2026
Hometown: Everett, Massachusetts
Activities: Outing Club and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Member
Hobbies: Intramural Basketball, Cooking, Baking
Future Goals: Pursue the fields of either medical devices or tissue engineering
Ryan Coutts '27
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May 2027
Hometown: Hanover, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: Member of MED pre-med frat, EMT, Research Assistant in Kinesiology Lab, Volunteer at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Philanthropy Chair of Pi Kappa Phi, Intramural Hockey and Soccer
Outside Hobbies/Interests: I love sports, hiking, running and honestly anything where I’m able to move my body outside!
Fun Fact: I have hiked Mount Washington 2 times!
Future Goal(s): I hope to pursue medical school as I am very interested in working with patients directly and have had amazing clinical experiences.
Some favorite song:
American Kids - Kenny Chesney
Man Made a Bar - Morgan Wallen
Everybody Get Along - Riley Green
Expected Graduation: May 2027
Hometown: Hanover, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: Member of MED pre-med frat, EMT, Research Assistant in Kinesiology Lab, Volunteer at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Philanthropy Chair of Pi Kappa Phi, Intramural Hockey and Soccer
Outside Hobbies/Interests: I love sports, hiking, running and honestly anything where I’m able to move my body outside!
Fun Fact: I have hiked Mount Washington 2 times!
Future Goal(s): I hope to pursue medical school as I am very interested in working with patients directly and have had amazing clinical experiences.
Some favorite song:
American Kids - Kenny Chesney
Man Made a Bar - Morgan Wallen
Everybody Get Along - Riley Green
Verma Saksham '28
Major/Minor/Certificates: Computer Engineering with a Math Minor
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2028
Hometown: Noida, India
School Related Activities/Interests: F1 Club, Anime Club, Badminton Club, Tennis Club
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Tennis, Swimming, Gym, Badminton, Video Games
Fun Fact: I moved nine times.
Favorite quote: “Never put off till tomorrow, what can be done today.”
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2028
Hometown: Noida, India
School Related Activities/Interests: F1 Club, Anime Club, Badminton Club, Tennis Club
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Tennis, Swimming, Gym, Badminton, Video Games
Fun Fact: I moved nine times.
Favorite quote: “Never put off till tomorrow, what can be done today.”
Timothy Tsarinnik '27
Major/Minor/Certificates: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2027
Hometown: Sherborn, MA
School Activities/Interests: UTA for Thermodynamics, intramural flag football
Outside Hobbies/Interests: I love the beach and the ocean, going on drives in my truck and enjoying nature, going to the gym, and playing football.
Fun Fact: I was born in Moscow, Russia.
Future Goals: I hope to work on Pratt & Whitney engines.
Favorite Media: My favorite song is Castles in the Air by Don McLean.
Expected Graduation: 2027
Hometown: Sherborn, MA
School Activities/Interests: UTA for Thermodynamics, intramural flag football
Outside Hobbies/Interests: I love the beach and the ocean, going on drives in my truck and enjoying nature, going to the gym, and playing football.
Fun Fact: I was born in Moscow, Russia.
Future Goals: I hope to work on Pratt & Whitney engines.
Favorite Media: My favorite song is Castles in the Air by Don McLean.
Tharegha Manoharan '27
Major/Minor/Certificates, etc: Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Concentration
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2027
Hometown: Shrewsbury, MA
School Related Activities/Interests:
UMass PreMed Society– Jr. PR Officer
UMass Tamil Student Association– President
Her Campus UMass Chapter– Secretary
Center for Women and Community, Sexual Assault Support & Advocacy Hotline– Volunteer
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Watching movies
Fun Fact: I have been a Tamil teacher for 3 years!
Future Goal(s): Go to medical school or work in a related field, travel the world
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2027
Hometown: Shrewsbury, MA
School Related Activities/Interests:
UMass PreMed Society– Jr. PR Officer
UMass Tamil Student Association– President
Her Campus UMass Chapter– Secretary
Center for Women and Community, Sexual Assault Support & Advocacy Hotline– Volunteer
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Watching movies
Fun Fact: I have been a Tamil teacher for 3 years!
Future Goal(s): Go to medical school or work in a related field, travel the world
Siddharth Iyer ‘26
Major: Computer Engineering
Expected Graduation Month/Year: May 2026
Hometown: Singapore
School Related Activities/Interests: Undergrad TA
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Travelling, Tennis, Hiking, Reading
Fun Fact: I served 2 years of military service in Singapore before I started university
Future Goal(s): I hope to have a job with a good work life balance so I can travel and explore the world at the same time
Favourite TV Show: Seinfeld
Expected Graduation Month/Year: May 2026
Hometown: Singapore
School Related Activities/Interests: Undergrad TA
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Travelling, Tennis, Hiking, Reading
Fun Fact: I served 2 years of military service in Singapore before I started university
Future Goal(s): I hope to have a job with a good work life balance so I can travel and explore the world at the same time
Favourite TV Show: Seinfeld
Lillian Skawinski '27
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2027
Hometown: Winchendon, Massachusetts
School Related Activities/Interests: Astronomy Club, UMass Club Running
Outside Hobbies: Running, swimming, reading, knitting, and wandering around outdoors
Fun Fact: My favorite animal is a frog!
Future Goal(s): Complete a 4+1 in BME and then pursue medical school
A favorite book: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2027
Hometown: Winchendon, Massachusetts
School Related Activities/Interests: Astronomy Club, UMass Club Running
Outside Hobbies: Running, swimming, reading, knitting, and wandering around outdoors
Fun Fact: My favorite animal is a frog!
Future Goal(s): Complete a 4+1 in BME and then pursue medical school
A favorite book: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Pang Neo '28
Major/Minor:
Civil Engineering Major, Building and Construction Technology Minor
Expected Graduation:
May 2028
Hometown
Braintree, Massachusetts
School Related Activities/Interest:
Engineers Without Borders, UMass Marching Band, Habitat for Humanity
Outside Hobbies/Interests:
Baking, Piano, Hiking, Trombone
Fun Fact:
I am horrible at parking.
Future Goal:
Find a career in water resources/construction, manage impactful public works projects.
A favorite TV show:
Severance, House MD
Civil Engineering Major, Building and Construction Technology Minor
Expected Graduation:
May 2028
Hometown
Braintree, Massachusetts
School Related Activities/Interest:
Engineers Without Borders, UMass Marching Band, Habitat for Humanity
Outside Hobbies/Interests:
Baking, Piano, Hiking, Trombone
Fun Fact:
I am horrible at parking.
Future Goal:
Find a career in water resources/construction, manage impactful public works projects.
A favorite TV show:
Severance, House MD
Kiriakos Kotsalidis '28
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2028
Hometown: Boston, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: RISE, UMCA, iSTEP German
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Music, carpentry, circuitry, art, movies, camping/hiking
Fun Fact: I play upright bass, and I was in a jazz big band for 6 years
Future Goal(s): to pursue my degree in engineering and find a job which gives me something satisfying to work on and allows me to pursue my personal interests.
Favorite Movie: Superbad
Favorite Artist: Fishmans
Expected Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2028
Hometown: Boston, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: RISE, UMCA, iSTEP German
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Music, carpentry, circuitry, art, movies, camping/hiking
Fun Fact: I play upright bass, and I was in a jazz big band for 6 years
Future Goal(s): to pursue my degree in engineering and find a job which gives me something satisfying to work on and allows me to pursue my personal interests.
Favorite Movie: Superbad
Favorite Artist: Fishmans
Ellacoya Herget '28
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May 2028
Hometown: Westford, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: Undergraduate researcher in the Kearney lab, interested in Tissue Engineering, Artificial Organs, Nutrition, and Consulting
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Weight lifting, running, hockey, reading, cooking, flyboarding, card games, and hanging out with family and friends.
Fun Fact: I am one of seven!
Future Goals: Work on Artificial Organs one day.
My favorite… movie is Avatar.
Expected Graduation: May 2028
Hometown: Westford, MA
School Related Activities/Interests: Undergraduate researcher in the Kearney lab, interested in Tissue Engineering, Artificial Organs, Nutrition, and Consulting
Outside Hobbies/Interests: Weight lifting, running, hockey, reading, cooking, flyboarding, card games, and hanging out with family and friends.
Fun Fact: I am one of seven!
Future Goals: Work on Artificial Organs one day.
My favorite… movie is Avatar.
Cooper Richman '26
Major: Computer Engineering
Expected Graduation: May 2026
Hometown: Lakeville, Massachusetts
Hobbies: Traveling, basketball, cooking, music
Future Goals: I would love to contribute to projects that better the world.
Expected Graduation: May 2026
Hometown: Lakeville, Massachusetts
Hobbies: Traveling, basketball, cooking, music
Future Goals: I would love to contribute to projects that better the world.
Become A Peer!
Peers enroll in one or two courses which support their work; Engin 391P, Peer Leadership in Engineering, meets bi-weekly in the fall and provides the Peers training and support for their work, while Engin 391M, Special Topics in Mentoring, meets in the spring and builds the Peers’ ability and unders