LEED Lab Biographies for Fall 2016


	Chad Handy - Project Manager Chad Handy is a third year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of California, Merced. He was part of a team of Land Surveyors that mapped the PG&E gas lines throughout all of California. After the job was finished he decided to continue pursuing his degree. He has a strong passion for both science and technology and believes that going green is important for the future. He hopes to develop valuable skills, through his experience in the LEED Lab, that he can use for future endeavors in the aerospace industry. Outside of university life, he enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and sixteen-month-old son.
	Stephen Schug - Assistant Project Manager Stephen Schug is a second year Business and Management Economics Major. Schug is the Assistant Project Manager for the Engineering Service Learning team LEED Lab. He chose it because it would give him a modern outlook on sustainable building practices and methods on how to efficiently use resources. Academically, Schug is interested in Management and Economics, and plans on running his 3rd generation family business post-graduation. In addition, he plans on using his growing knowledge of management skills to further his career as a United States Marine.
	Jessica Roque – Communication Officer Jessica Roque is a fifth year Mechanical Engineering student. She holds the position of Communications Officer for the Engineering Service Learning team, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Lab. Roque has been interested in sustainability after attending her first Earth Day at UC Merced and seeing all the plans implemented by her campus to enhance its sustainability. She saw LEED Lab as an opportunity to make an impact on campus with a subject she is passionate about. Roque aspires to bring the knowledge she gains from this project to help promote sustainability in any other work she takes on.
	Nhi Tran – Intellectual Property Officer Nhi Tran is a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of California, Merced. Tran is the Intellectual Property Officer for the Engineering Service Learning Team, LEED Lab. Tran chose to be part of LEED Lab in order to gain experience in research and to learn more about sustainability. Academically, Tran is interested in learning about the mechanics of weapons, fighter planes, and robotics. During her free times, Tran enjoys practicing martial arts, playing video games, and spoiling her pets. One day, she hopes to use her skills in order to help contribute to the Air Force.
	Gustavo Flores – Procurement and Finance Officer Gustavo Flores is a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student at UC Merced. Gustavo is the Procurement and Financial Officer for the Engineering Service Learning Team, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) lab team. He chose this team because he wants to make a difference to the university that is helping provide his source of education. Academically, Gustavo is interested in mechanical engineering that infuses computer aided engineering through the use of programs such as MATLAB, Fortran, Creo and etc., as well as aspects in environmental engineering. Outside of academics, Gustavo enjoys spending time with family/friends, playing videogames and exercising.
	Michael T. Andemeskel – Team Leader Michael T. Andemeskel is a third year Computer Science major. Andemeskel is the leader of the Energy and Air team at LEED Labs. He chose this course because he enjoys putting knowledge learned in the classroom into practical use. Andemeskel pursues Computer Science because of its numerous applications. He is a freelance Web Developer currently leading the team rebuilding the website of Asante Africa Foundation, a nonprofit that builds schools in rural East Africa. His interests center around entrepreneurship, Africa, and economics. He has also delved into poetry and windsurfing - his attempts are 'full of sound and fury' but little progress.
	Gerardo Flores – Team Leader Gerardo Flores is a fourth year Earth Systematic Science student. Flores is a team leader for the LEED Lab project. He chose this project because it will give him vital experience for the career he wishes to pursue after college. Flores is interested in bettering the environment through sustainability and resource management. Through teamwork, a valuable trait learned by playing soccer at the high school, club, and collegiate level, he believes that any objective is reachable. Flores’s favorite month is December as it contains his birthday and his favorite holiday, Christmas.
	Shirley Calderon – Team Leader Shirley Calderon is an Earth Systems Science third year undergraduate student pursing her Bachelors of Science. Calderon is a team leader for the water and air quality sub team in the Engineering Service Learning, LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Lab. She chose the LEED team because she is interested in the certification and sustainability of buildings and hopes to one day build her own house and efficient summer camps for low income families from the city. Calderon enjoys teaching and spreading knowledge throughout her peers, elderly, and the youth.
	Christopher Shedd – Team Member Christopher Shedd is a 5th year student attending the University of California at Merced. He is majoring in Physics with an emphasis in Biology and a minor in Cognitive Science. Chris has experience in research, internships, and work in fields such as sustainability, community outreach, and leadership. He also has experience in programming using the language MATLAB and tutoring in STEM fields with the UC MAPS program. Outside of academics, he is into motorcycles, sailing, and enjoying the great outdoors. Other experience includes: CalPIRG Americorps Energy Service Corps Minimum Time Member internship, current researcher in the Gopinathan Research Group, and Sustainability internship with Matt Hirota.
	Kurtis Brent – Team Member Kurtis Brent is a first year Bioengineering major attending UC Merced. He is a member of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) team. He decided to take this course because he wants to learn valuable leadership skills and various engineering applications while being able to assist his community. His interest in bioengineering sparked when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15. He hopes to innovate in making new devices for diabetics someday. He loves being around family and friends in addition to meeting new people. Some of his interests include hiking, traveling, and meditating.
	Juliana Robles - Team Member Juliana Robles is a fourth year double major in Biology and Anthropology. Robles joined Engineering Service Learning as a way to learn about a topic and meet new people outside of her majors. More specifically, Robles joined LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) lab to follow her interest in sustainability in hopes of reducing our effect on the environment. In her free time, Robles enjoys cooking and exploring Merced and the surrounding cities.
	John Francis - Team Member John Francis is a first year student pursuing his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He is a team member for the Engineering Service Learning team, LEED Labs. Mijares was enrolled in his High School’s Engineering Academy where he learned the fundamentals of mechanics. Mijares chose to be a part of LEED Labs because he always had an interest in sustainability. His initial drive rooted from the neglect of the environment throughout the city and hopes to take his knowledge attained from the project at LEED Labs and sharing it back home. On his past time, Mijares enjoys playing the saxophone and hiking.
	Sergio Lamas - Team Member Sergio Lamas is a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student. Lamas is a part of the Engineering Service Learning team, LEED Lab. Lamas strongly believes that being green is the future and aims to have a career in the field of sustainability. Lamas plans to use his knowledge of performing energy audits to good use when testing the building’s water and energy efficiency. Being a part of the off-campus community, Lamas volunteers to mentor local youths and guide them towards becoming STEM students. Lamas enjoys any aquatic activity, mainly swimming and kayaking.
	Erik Perez - Team Member Erik Perez is a third year pursuing his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He is a member of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Lab, an Engineering Service Learning team. Erik aims to get hands on experience while working on the assigned projects and develop his work ethic. He also hopes in gaining public speaking skills when communicating with his team members. Although his focus is school, he has a strong passion for music and even plays in a band as a percussionist.