Melina is pursuing a Ph.D in mechanical engineering with a focus on thermal fluid systems. She joined the Webber Energy Group in August 2022. Melina’s research interests are in grid modeling while assessing the impacts on renewable energy methods and public policy. Before moving to Austin, Melina attended Carnegie Mellon University where she obtained a B.S. in mechanical engineering with honors. After graduation, she worked at Northrop Grumman as a Propulsion Engineer. At Carnegie Mellon, Melina contributed to research projects relating to air quality, additive manufacturing, and controller optimization and was involved in Student Formula Electric. In Dr. Albert Presto’s CAPS Lab at CMU, she worked on deploying affordable air quality monitors, oxidation and particle formation lab experiments, and modeling wind profiles. With Dr. Ozdoganlar and his research group, Melina worked on an in situ 3D sculpting test with applications in nanoscale electronics. In Dr. Kenji Shimada’s CERLAB, she worked on physical testing and simulation modeling of a neural network based controller for visual drone inspections. Melina's industry experience includes an internship at Konecranes and a full time position at Northrop Grumman's Allegany Ballistics Laboratory. During her internship at Konecranes from June 2019 to April 2020, she 3D modeled work environments for industrial cranes. At Northrop Grumman, she worked on solid rocket motors and advancing system concepts through the design cycle from internal design and analysis, to manufacturing and testing.
