Aspiring Engineer, Licensed Pilot, and Freelance Artist
An ambitious engineering student with a passion for achieving what others may deem as "impossible"
Hello, I'm Sabrina, a senior National Scholar studying mechanical engineering at Clemson University.
I have been drawn to engineering for as long as I can remember. The beauty and satisfaction in creating a
solution to a problem and watching it come to life are unparalleled in my mind. Engineering has always played a
large role in my life. I grew up competing on FIRST Robotics teams from Lego League (elementary) to FRC
(high school) and using any free time I had to build or create anything from model rockets to 3-D printed
geometric sculptures.
I also have had a passion for aviation and the aerospace field from a young age.
I was always looking up. No, seriously, my eyes were always on the sky. Anything that escaped the bonds of
gravity held my attention, be it a plane, a rocket, or even a helicopter. It was prevalent enough that my
parents used to actually warn me about paying attention to where I was going. I started flying as soon as I could convince my
parents that I was serious about getting my pilot's license...I was 14. Four years later, due to legal age requirements, I had my private pilot's license,
instrument rating, and commercial pilot's license.
I am driven by breaking the bounds of what others think is possible. Rebuilding a robot and changing most of
the team's design philosophy in eight hours at a robotics competition with limited resources...sounds awesome.
Speaking from experience, it was awesome and also served as a great lesson in adaptability. Being a key player
on an alliance with that robot and winning the competition as the last ranked seed (and setting the high score
for the whole competition) felt even better. Soloing a plane before I could drive a car down the street after
being told there was no way a 16-year old would get signed off to fly...one of the best feelings in the world.
I thrive off of doing what most people think can't be done.
Currently, I combine my passion for aerodynamics and mechanical engineering through my work as a member of the
aerodynamics team for the Clemson University Formula SAE team. I am currently seeking internships in the aerospace, aviation,
and automotive sectors.
I interned on the Falcon-9 Payload Accomodations team at SpaceX the summer after my junior year. At SpaceX, I owned flight hardware for Falcon-9; as a Responsible Engineer, I owned hardware (both primary and secondary structure) from design to analysis to integration, covering the whole lifecycle of my parts. There’s an indescribable feeling and sense of pride in knowing that my hardware will be flying on an upcoming mission.
I interned on the Battery Engineering Global Launch and Execution Team at Tesla the summer after my sophomore year. As part of the team, I assisted in the launch, ramp, and handover of a new production line through a number of high priority projects including line additions/modifications and process changes. I concepted, implemented, optimized, and documented several projects that increased line yield and rate.
I was selected for a competitive high school internship and also returned as an intern during the summer after my freshman year. During my time at KTM Solutions, I worked on a variety of different projects. During my most recent placement, I drove the creation of new manufacturing processes for an influx of specialized client work. Throughout my time at KTM, I gained more experience in SolidWorks and even learned to render models using Photoview360.
As a member of the Formula SAE team at Clemson, I have had the opportunity to take the things I learn in class and apply them to a real project. I have continued to build my experience with SolidWorks, as well as taking the opportunity to learn to use other simulation software. I learned how to use MATLAB for preliminary time studies and ANSYS Workbench for FEA simulations. I am currently learning to evaluate aerodynamic packages in ANSYS Fluent and STAR CCM+.
I enjoy pursuing a wide variety of interests outside of class. Whether it's designing something for the aerodynamics package on my Formula SAE team's car, flying, or working on an art piece, I am passionate about continually learning new skills and delving deeper into the things that drive me. I believe that the projects I pursue allow me to bring a unique perspective to my engineering work.
The current direction of work for the upcoming design season is exploring new methods of construction to lightweight the way the aero package is constructed. I am exploring multiple options like ribbed wings and various core materials.
As a college freshman, I was the sole designer for the rear wing mounting solution for Tiger 20. I leveraged my experience in SolidWorks and manufacturing solutions to present a cost-effective solution. I also took the opportunity to learn to conduct FEA simulations in ANSYS Workbench, as well as gain experience in topology optimization.
I captained a high school robotics team for two years and was a member for four years. Through the program, I gained experience in CAD and manufacturing processes, a knowledge of C++, and exposure to control system implementation. As captain, I was responsible for ensuring that all design, manufacturing, and non-technical deadlines were met.
I learned how to program toolpaths and machining operations in HSMWorks, as well as learning to run a Haas VF-3. I was responsible for the production of parts that I designed, as well as any needed for the robotics team I captained at the time.
I utilize a combination of SolidWorks and 3-D printing to both create new art and deconstruct existing geometric models (at the moment, primarily Kepler-Poinsot inspired).
I started flying at 14, earned my initial license (Private Pilot) and Instrument Rating at 17, and received my Comercial License at 18. I also hold my Advanced Ground Instructor Rating and enjoy teaching in my free time.
Total Time: 342.5 hours
I recently started my own web-based business for commissioned art, as my work started to attract attention. Much of my work centers around aviation, but I also work with a variety of other subjects dependent on the client.
I was shortlisted for a renowned fellowship for women in aerospace and aviation. I was selected as one of 100 semifinalists from over 1000 applicants for my leadership, service, interest and commitment to aerospace, and creativity.
I was selected to join the National Scholars Program at Clemson. The National Scholars Program is Clemson's premier merit-based scholarship (four-year, full cost of attendance). I was selected as one of thirty-six candidates out of 1,600 applicants and received one of ten offers after a rigorous interview process.
The team that I organized and led placed first out of seventeen teams at the inaugural SWAY Ventures Case Competiton. We presented a business case on the use of artificial intelligence in the pharmaceutical industry to SWAY Ventures, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm.
I was selected out of over 100 candidates for my leadership in the STEM community and contributions to further STEM education and awareness. I was honored at the regional level and selected to compete for the title on an international scale.
Feel free to send a message to me if anything piqued your interest or if you have any feedback or questions!