Department Representatives
Jessica Goel
Biomedical Engineering
My name is Jessica Goel, I am a 2nd year BME major, and I am from Pensacola, Florida. I'm passionate about engineering, leadership, and helping others! I believe in a more equitable, accessible UF and a BME department that works with and for students. When I'm not busy cramming for the next O-Chem quiz, you can find me at an SWE event or on a hike at one of Gainesville's amazing trails. I'm beyond excited to be a representative for this incredible department this year!
Kayla Ehrlich
Chemical Engineering
I am from St. Augustine, FL and I am currently in the UF Honors Program. I am majoring in chemical engineering and minoring in public leadership. I hope to go into the chemical engineering side of the food and drug industry. I am currently a part of the Hume Hall Residence Council as a Social Justice Consultant, I am a council member in the Freshman Leadership Council at the Bob Graham Center, and I am in the Honors Literary Magazine. In my free time, I like to write, paint, and exercise. Fun fact: I have no sense of sourness and I collect mugs
Surina Walia
Chemical Engineering
My name is Surina Walia, and I am a first-year Chemical Engineering major minoring in Business Administration. Outside of ESAC, I am involved in URSP and the Freshman Honors Program. I am currently doing research through the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering in order to increase innovation on UF's campus. In my free time, I enjoy working out, traveling, tutoring, and trying new coffee shops and restaurants. After graduation, I hope to pursue an MBA and a career in consulting or engineering management.
Connor Rice
Civil Engineering
My name is Connor Rice, and I am a second-year Civil Engineering major with a minor in Materials Science & Engineering. I am originally from Tampa, FL (Go Bucs!), but currently reside in Gainesville, FL for school. I enjoy both playing and watching baseball (I have played since I was 3 years old), going to the beach, and relaxing with friends & family. In addition to ESAC, I also serve as Recruitment Chair for the American Society of Civil Engineers, where I have the opportunity to interact with students all across the College of Engineering. My goal is to graduate with at least a master's degree and work for an engineering firm. I am looking forward to serving the Civil Engineering community here at UF!
Astrid Beyer
Computer Engineering
Hello! I am Astrid Beyer and I am a first-year Computer Engineering major, interested in conducting research in computational neuroscience in the future. Currently, I am assisting with research being conducted by the Neurocritical Lab in the College of Medicine. I am a member of Dream Team Engineering and the Sabor Latino Dance Team. I am also a Civic Scholars, PODEMOS emerging scholar, and an HWCOE STEPUP mentee. I was born in Montreal, Canada (still working on learning French) but grew up in Miami, Florida. In my free time, I enjoy the outdoors, traveling, learning about different cultures, dancing, and spending time with friends and family. Learning, being involved at school and in the community, and finding innovative ways to help others are my main drivers. I look forward to meeting you and receiving your suggestions and questions! Go Gators!
Rebecca Bubis
Industrial & Systems Engineering
My name is Becca Bubis and I am an industrial and systems engineer major. I'm from Jacksonville, FL, and love the beach. I enjoy photography, movies, good music, and hanging with friends!
Kate Ryland
Materials Science & Engineering
Hi, I'm Kate. I'm a 3rd-year Materials Science and Engineering major with a focus in biomaterials and medical device engineering. I feel that I am a very goal-oriented person and strive to do my best at what I set my mind to and cannot wait to represent MSE with ESAC.
Ta'Neil Malcolm
Materials Science & Engineering
My name is Ta'Neil Malcolm, and I am a second-year Materials Science and Engineering Major. I was born and raised in Jamaica but migrated to Florida at age 9. Aside from engineering, other passions of mine include running my small business, mentoring, reading, traveling, and interior designing. I am also a huge foodie and enjoy trying new restaurants and dishes. My plan is to graduate with a Master's degree and specifically work on designing biomedical products in order to make both healthcare professionals' and patients lives' easier and more efficient.
Orlando Palacio
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
My name is Orlando Palacio, and I am a third-year Mechanical and Aerospace engineering major. I am originally from Nicaragua and I am passionate about space exploration, robotics, and community service. During my free time, I enjoy playing basketball, watching TED talks, and learning about the stock market. Through my active involvement at UF, I have developed strong team-building and leadership skills that have further grown my ability to think analytically and creatively. I am excited to apply all my engineering skills towards having a positive impact in the College of Engineering.
Sahil Patel
Aerospace Engineering
My name is Sahil Patel, and I am a 2nd-year Aerospace Engineering major with a minor in Astronomy. I'm most interested in all things space and would one day love to have the chance to go. The issue I'm most passionate about is making UF Engineering fiscally accessible for as many people as possible. In my free time, I enjoy playing strategy games (both physical and digital).
Ryan Hostetter
Mechanical Engineering
I am a third-year mechanical engineering major from Aurora, Colorado. The outdoors is a big passion of mine as I grew up often going camping and going to the mountains. I love to hike and backpack whenever I can find the time to go on a new adventure. I also help run the University of Florida Kickboxing Club as a second-year executive board member and lead instructor. I have done martial arts for more than a decade of my life so this club is another big passion of mine outside of academics.