WE
DESIGN.
BUILD.
FLY.

Ryan has held a variety of roles in engineering, including working for Collins Aerospace as a Product Support Intern, working for the Autonomous Robots and Systems Laboratory (ARSL) at UNC-Charlotte as an Autonomous Surface Vessel field researcher, and has accumulated 200+ hours in aviation maintenance as an A&P apprentice for AGL Aviation Services, primarily working on various Cessna and Mooney aircraft.

Ryan has been involved with DBF UNC-Charlotte since its inception in 2025, and also serves as the AIAA UNC-Charlotte Student Branch President. Ryan recently completed United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in 2026 and plans to serve as an Aviation Maintenance Officer upon graduation from UNC-Charlotte.

I have been fascinated by Mechanical Engineering ever since my late childhood and always wondered how something works, which further directed me toward the engineering industry. I have always loved being challenged with the tasks of designing and constructing projects by hand, such as making small mechanical projects and constructing small-scale models.

Growing up in Holly Springs, North Carolina, my love for math and problem-solving was very apparent. I always found myself drawn toward projects that included both logic and creativity. That passion has only grown stronger as I have entered into the world of Engineering. My academic journey has been driven by an obsession to be able to transform abstract ideas into workable, functional projects, particularly in Mechanical Engineering.

The more I continue to learn about engineering, the more I am eager to put the acquired skills to practical application. I will be more concerned with issues related to internships, collaborative projects, and networking opportunities with potential employers as a means of having hands-on experience in the fields of mechanical and aerospace engineering. I am excited to make contributions toward developing new technologies that further push the barriers of flight and engineering.

Judd is also the Vice President of the AIAA Student Branch at UNC-Charlotte.

Abhinav recently interned as a Design Engineering Intern with the Large Generators team at Siemens Energy. Before that he was improving product reliability while interning at Doosan Bobcat. He also brings to the team technical writing and research experience. He completed the NASA L'SPACE Proposal Writing and Evaluation Experience (NPWEE) program in 2026. His most recent research on stealth toroidal UAV propulsion earned him the 1st place undergraduate research award at the 2026 AIAA Region II Conference.

"Driven by a passion for structural design and complex problem solving, I am always eager to connect with fellow innovators and push engineering boundaries."

Alongside my academic work, I have launched and operated multiple side ventures including e-commerce reselling and vehicle flipping, through which I developed skills in opportunity identification, operations management, and execution. My long-term goal is to combine a strong technical foundation with hands-on entrepreneurial experience to create manufacturing solutions within the automotive and aerospace industries.

One engineering project I've completed recently is STEM Tank with Central Piedmont Community College. For that, my team won 3rd place for developing a smart crosswalk safety system. For the system, I used motion sensors to detect pedestrians and activate embedded roadway warning lights for approaching drivers. I designed a vehicle monitoring concept using pre-positioned sensors to estimate approaching vehicles' speed and acceleration, triggering flashing warnings when a vehicle appeared not to be slowing appropriately. I built and demonstrated a working prototype. Our project was later presented at the NC Space Grant Event at NC State University.

Aerospace experience I bring to the team includes designing my own Star Wars X-Wing model in CAD. I conducted an aerodynamic study on the structural geometry to lower drag, and used the results to improve the aircraft wings and stabilizers. My future plans include joining the American Airlines Cadet Program and becoming a commercial pilot.

Aerospace experience I bring to the team includes creating a turbofan engine replica as a summer project in CAD. I'm also working towards my private pilot license (PPL) and have flown Cessnas.

Sandro brings to the team his experience from interning at Beta Technologies. There he has been working on manufacturing various composite components and operating tooling for their urban air mobility aircraft fleet. Outside of working in aerospace engineering, Sandro enjoys fencing for UNC-Charlotte's fencing club.

Mitch previously worked as an aerospace composites technician for multiple years at Anduril. There he worked on flight part fabrication and assembly, and tooling production and verification for various products. Mitch enjoys applying CAD design and 3D printing to his own RC aircraft projects.

"I love drones and all types of UAS; the challenges therein are like a puzzle to me."

Paul has previously worked as an analyst evaluating BAM ceramics for Hypersonic and Spacecraft Applications for UNC-Charlotte's Office of Undergraduate Research. Other aerospace experience includes completing the NASA L'SPACE NPWEE program, where he engineered the Thermal Control System (TCS) for a simulated space mission to maintain critical components within strict operational temperature limits, collaborated with CAD and Systems Engineering tracks to resolve configuration conflicts and seamlessly integrate subsystems, and co-authored the thermal subsystem architecture and documentation for the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) according to NASA standards.

I'm passionate about applying engineering principles to solve challenges in automotive and aerospace industries. I'm eager to develop my skills in areas like aerodynamics, vehicle design, and propulsion systems, and I'm always seeking opportunities to grow through internships, hands-on projects, or collaboration with others in the field. I look forward to connecting with professionals and peers who share my interest in advancing technology within the automotive and aerospace sectors.

My aerospace experience that I bring to the team includes working at Triangle North Executive Airport in Louisburg, North Carolina, for three months. While there, I assisted in an engine installation for an aircraft under supervision, gaining hands-on experience while collaborating with team members and maintaining a safe, organized work environment. This internship gave me a general understanding of airplane systems and operations.

Esa is also the Treasurer for the AIAA Student Branch at UNC-Charlotte.

Kynnedy is a senior in Mechanical Engineering, concentrating in Aerospace Engineering. She brings to the team aerospace experience as a DoD SMART Scholar intern with NAVAIR, having worked on hydraulic subsystems for the MV-22 Osprey. She is also the secretary for the AIAA Student Branch at UNC-Charlotte.

Tim has worked as a Manufacturing Engineer Intern at Legrand for a year and a half, working on updates to active assembly lines and large injection mold machines. Apart from that experience, he now works as a bike mechanic at a nonprofit bike shop in the Charlotte area. In his downtime, Tim enjoys working with leather, making costumes and hand-sewn goods. He enjoys working with his hands and is excited to bring his experience to the team.

Roshan has served as a Regulatory Compliance Intern at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where he supported oversight of federally funded construction projects and ensured project compliance with FAA requirements.