People

While completing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Dayton in Mechanical Engineering, I became interested in learning how students become professional engineers. Now, my research focuses on individuals’ transition from students to professional engineers and how activities outside of the classroom can impact students’ development. Specifically, I’m interested in studying experiential learning opportunities and their impact on students’ professional development. If the weather is nice I enjoy being outside and rock climbing, but if it’s winter I spend my time cooking and reading.

“What TV character do you most identify with?”: Ben Wyatt (Parks & Rec) or Willow Rosenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

My research is dedicated to delving into the experiences of undergraduate engineering students originating from low-income or rural backgrounds. Additionally, I’m passionate about integrating macroethics into undergraduate engineering curricula. I’m originally from San Antonio, TX and  currently pursuing a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Philosophy. When I’m not immersed in school activities, you’ll probably find me still on campus or embarking on adventures across Michigan with my friends.

“What TV character do you most identify with?”: I would say I most identify with Troy Barnes from Community and Jules from Superbad. I enjoy bringing humor and energy into situations, am kind, confident, and grounded.

Currently, I am an undergraduate junior student majoring in Aerospace Engineering and minoring in Material Science Engineering. Project teams have always been a core part of my education, whether that be in high school or college. I’ve always wondered if these hands-on learning experiences impact the way I learn in school. This exact reason is what led me to the lab. Outside of the lab, I am a part of student-led organizations Woman in Aeronautics and Astronautics (WAA), Black Students in Aerospace (BSA), Supermileage Racing Team, and play rugby for University of Michigan.

“What TV character do you most identify with?“: After taking a TV character quiz, I got Christina Yang from Grey’s Anatomy. Surprisingly, I think it is sort of fitting/accurate. I’ll gladly go have a dance party with Meredith after a long day! 

My research focuses on how we can re-contextualize engineering science engineering courses to better reflect and prepare students for the reality of ill-defined, sociotechnical engineering practice. I received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from U-M, and a Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to re-joining U-M, I was an instructor in Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. All of these prior experiences in aerospace engineering really motivate my interest in design-based research that has a tight integration between engineering education research and practice. I’m also committed to empowering students and working for social justice within aerospace engineering practice and education. Outside of work I enjoy reading, collecting LEGO NASA sets, biking, camping, and playing disc golf. I hope that you also make time for fun activities in your life, especially if you’re a student!

“What TV character do you most identify with?”:  I identify with Mister Rogers, as I feel we’re both people who try to always be kind and understanding of others, and we also work to facilitate conversations about difficult, but important, topics. We’re also both from the great city of Pittsburgh! (Although I don’t sing nearly as well as he did.)

My research interests include studying the underlying causes influencing students’ perceptions and interpretations of engineering environments. I would like to explore the impact of culture, biases, and personal values on students’ problem-solving approaches. I graduated with a B.S.E. in industrial and Operations Engineering from U-M. As an undergraduate student, I had multiple positions as a peer facilitator, an instructional aide, and a departmental ambassador. Those experiences sparked my interest in examining the area of learning where students make critical mistakes. In my free time, I like playing video games, gardening, reading, and frolicking.

“What TV character do you most identify with?”: My #1. character (from the quiz) is Amanita Caplan (Sense8): 82% She’s really cool and absolutely phenomenal, I couldn’t have chosen a better character.

After completing my B.S. in aerospace at U-M, I pivoted and obtained my M.S. in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from California Polytechnic State University. Before returning to U-M to pursue my Ph.D. in aerospace, I spent a gap year teaching as a lecturer at Cal Poly. My experience teaching has led me to seek out a research pathway that falls within the realm of both engineering education and space systems. I am particularly drawn to the intersection of macroethics and technical engineering education, with an interest in developing policy-aware space systems.
I am jointly advised by Dr. Aaron Johnson and Dr. Oliver Jia-Richards and am also a part of Dr. Jia-Richard’s lab, SSL.

“What TV character do you most identify with?”: I got Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds from the quiz we took, but given that I haven’t seen it I think I’ll also go with Frieren from Sousou no Frieren. I think we’re about the same level of introverted and I too would absolutely get caught by mimics.

My research focuses on understanding the experience of undergraduate engineering students from low-income or rural backgrounds and embedding macroethics into undergraduate engineering curricula. I earned a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from U-M, with a minor in Applied Mathematics, but spent the last few years teaching at a high school in Gallup, New Mexico. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, watching terrible reality TV, and volunteering at local after-school programs. 

“What TV character do you most identify with?”: I most identify with Sokka from Avatar: Last Airbender! He brings the energy, the humor, and the vibes to hold together a great team (and so do I).

I am an undergraduate senior majoring in Aerospace Engineering and I am partnering with the SHUTTLE lab to do research on the Black Students in Aerospace CubeSat Demonstration Program! The program empowers students to design, build, test, and fly their own CubeSat system at their own pace over the course of one semester. My research partnership with SHUTTLE focuses on what learning strategies work best for students to build engineering tinkering and self-efficacy skills in a self-paced environment.

“What TV character do you most identify with?”: After taking the quiz, I most identify with Lucious Fox from Batman! (I am very pleased with this result)

I am an undergraduate sophomore student studying Industrial and Operations Engineering. I grew passionate about Engineering Education through my experience in different engineering and education classes, specifically thinking about how students’ environments and resources affect the way they approach learning/ education. Outside of Shuttle Lab I am involved in clubs like Iota Omega Epsilon, BLUElab Metro, and the Women in Science and Engineering Residence Program (WISE-RP). I also like to read, hang out with friends, and try new coffee shops around Ann Arbor and  Minneapolis, where I am from!

“What TV character do you most identify with?”: The character I most identify with is Princess Celestia from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. I haven’t watched My Little Pony since I was younger but I remember liking her so I’m happy with that!

I attended Macomb Community College in my hometown prior to transferring. I have volunteered as an ESL tutor and was also employed through various departments at my community college but spent most of my time as a Supplemental Instructor for Physics and Algebra. My drive to better understand what learning is like for people on unconventional learning paths or from low socioeconomic backgrounds began with an understanding of my own educational journey, that only blossomed from the jobs and opportunities I pursued, into an outward purpose to help others! I currently assist Betsy in her research and am a new addition to the SHUTTLE Lab. Outside of school, I spend a lot of time going on walks, watching movies (usually sci-fi or horror), and discovering food joints around the city. 

“What TV character do you most identify with?”: I identify with DJ Tanner from Full House and Wendy Testaburger from South Park. I chose these two because they are smart and kind but also outspoken and stand for what they believe in. 

I am an Assistant Professor of Engineering Education at California State University, Los Angeles. There, I teach undergraduate courses in the college of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology and do research on systems of oppression and liberation in engineering and engineering education. I am particularly interested in critical pedagogy, critical quantitative research methodology, labor organizing, and theoretical development advocating for social justice. I have master’s and Ph.D. degrees in aerospace engineering from U-M, and a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Case Western Reserve University. In my spare time, I love trail and snowshoe running, snowboarding, playing tennis, collecting and sorting books, and baking.

“What TV character do you most identify with?”: The quiz we took identified me as Gimli from Lord of the Rings and Jim Halpert from The Office. I honestly do not know how to reconcile those two things. Maybe I’ll go with Stevie Budd from Schitt’s Creek!

Cindy Wheaton
Civil Engineering BSE 2024