EK 200 Mentor Biographies
Fall 2024 EK 200 Mentors
Luke McCarthy
Moya Priddy
Alec Rocca
Chaney Finkeldei
Jared Solis
Simoni Mishra
Emily McCarthy
Eliott Dinfotan
Maiko Lum
Devrim Yesilyurt
Class of 2026
Hometown: Ridgewood, NJ
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Concentration: Machine Learning (might switch to Robotics)
What are your goals after graduation?
Pursue a MS in Robotics, Machine Learning, or Manufacturing.
What activities or organizations are you involved in on campus?
I was a member of the Terrier Motorsport Powertrain Team and a lecture assistant for EK 301. I also participated in hackathons.
Favorite winter-time activity?
Being indoors and staying warm. For the outdoors, I like to go snow tubing.
Favorite spot(s) in Boston?
Seaport, North End, Boston Common
Favorite place for food in Boston?
Bartaco in Fenway
What were you up to this summer?
I went on vacation to Turkey and Italy, worked with some robotics kits, and worked on my programming skills.
What advice do you wish you were given before your sophomore year at BU?
Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, whether that be through talking to professors, joining clubs, or trying anything new. Also do not compare yourself to others. Do what is beneficial and right for you.
Ask me about:
Resources for Academic Support
Reaching out to Professors
Mental Health Resources
Engineering Concentrations and Pathways
Careers in Engineering
Luke McCarthy
Class of 2026
Hometown: Brewster, MA
Major: Electrical Engineering
What are your goals after graduation?
Live a good life and not fall into the trap of over working.
What activities or organizations are you involved in on campus?
Badminton
Favorite winter-time activity?
Enjoying beautiful winter sunsets.
Favorite spot(s) in Boston?
– Esplanade
– Arboretum
– Blue Hills
(There’s a theme here)
Favorite place for food in Boston?
My kitchen?
What were you up to this summer?
I had a coding grant and worked from home.
What advice do you wish you were given before your sophomore year at BU?
You are fully allowed to drop classes if you don’t jibe with the professor. You don’t have to muscle through everything.
Ask me about:
From my favorite book, to what classes I’ve taken, to what I think the US government should do about the northeast corridor to maximize it’s utility basically everything is fair game.
Moya Priddy
Class of 2025
Hometown: San Clemente, CA
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Minor: Chemistry
What are your goals after graduation?
I’m going to work in industry for a few years and then probably go to grad school!
What activities or organizations are you involved in on campus?
I’m involved in a professional fraternity, Alpha Chi Sigma (AXS), and I do research in the Grinstaff Group!
Favorite winter-time activity?
Snowball fights and hot cocoa!
Favorite spot in Boston?
The esplanade for walks and Oakleaf for coffee!
Favorite place for food in Boston?
Nud Pob.
What were you up to this summer?
I was an intern at the National Cancer Institute in Maryland and visited Portugal!
What advice do you wish you were given before your sophomore year at BU?
Life isn’t just about academics, it’s important to pursue other interests and find that balance that makes life fun for you!
Ask me about:
How to fit everything (activities, research, jobs, academics) into a semester schedule and study strategies!
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Alec Rocca
Class of 2025
Hometown: Stow, MA
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Concentration: Energy Technologies & Sustainability
What are your goals after graduation?
I would like to go to graduate school after receiving my undergrad. I am still deciding whether I want to pursue a Masters or a PhD. If I decide on a Masters, I would like to work full-time while earning it.
What activities or organizations are you involved in on campus?
I like to lift, rock climb, attend talks for the BU Clean Tech Club, and I work at SILab.
Favorite winter-time activity?
Skiing.
Favorite spots in Boston?
Trident Booksellers, Al Dente in the North End, Waterfront, Boston Common.
Favorite place for food in Boston?
Al Dente.
What were you up to this summer?
I was an intern at Raytheon.
What advice do you wish you were given before your sophomore year at BU?
Relax! Don’t overload yourself too early, you have plenty of time. Try to introduce one new thing to your life/schedule each semester, whether that be a personal activity or an academic task. In the words of Billy Joel, “slow down, you’re doing fine!” And remember to take care of yourself.
Ask me about:
Feel free to ask me about any mechanical engineering questions/requirements, concentrations (or specifically Energy Tech/Sustainability), internships, general engineering questions, or just anything that’s on your mind!
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Chaney Finkeldei
Class of 2026
Hometown: Lawrence, KS
Major: Biomedical Engineering
What are your goals after graduation?
Get a PhD, hike the PCT, and run a marathon.
What activities or organizations are you involved in on campus?
I am in engineers without borders and play ultimate frisbee. I also coach a gymnastics and a tumbling PDP at fitrec!
Favorite winter-time activity?
I love sledding and drinking hot chocolate!
Favorite spot(s) in Boston?
The Mapparium (best place in Boston!!), Arnold Arboretum, the esplanade.
Favorite place for food in Boston?
Seoul Soulongtang in Allston.
What were you up to this summer?
Working in Prof Albros lab on campus and taking trips to hike in Alaska, New York, and Tennessee.
What advice do you wish you were given before your sophomore year at BU?
Use all of the opportunities that BU gives you — studying abroad, learning new sports, doing research, etc.
Ask me about:
Studying abroad, engineering clubs, club sports.
Jared Solis
Class of 2025
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Major: Computer Engineering
What are your goals after graduation?
Hoping to stay in Boston or NY and start my career.
What activities or organizations are you involved in on campus?
Boston University Filipino Student Association, Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity.
Favorite winter-time activity?
Hot chocolate.
Favorite spot(s) in Boston?
The Esplanade.
Favorite place for food in Boston?
Dominos 💪💪
What were you up to this summer?
Stayed in Boston and had an internship at REXA Inc. in West Bridgewater.
What advice do you wish you were given before your sophomore year at BU?
Start applying to internships and work on your portfolio/projects outside of class.
Ask me about:
BU Study Abroad (Madrid), what courses to be prepared for.
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Simoni Mishra
Class of 2026
Hometown: Rockville, MD
Major: Biomedical Engineering
What are your goals after graduation?
Going to medical school, traveling with friends, and getting a cat!
What activities or organizations are you involved in on campus?
Molecular Biology Lab, ENG Dean’s Host, Dheem (BU’s Indian classical dance team), and volunteering at local hospitals!
Favorite winter-time activity?
Cooking for friends and family! It’s fun to try out new recipes and share good food and laughter with the people I care about.
Favorite spot(s) in Boston?
The Boston Public Garden!
Favorite place for food in Boston?
Happy Lamb!
What were you up to this summer?
This summer, I took the MCAT and a political philosophy HUB course. I also got to spend a month in India, where I enjoyed amazing food with my family.
What advice do you wish you were given before your sophomore year at BU?
Take a deep breath and don’t stress too much about figuring everything out. Sophomore year is a great time to explore different interests, make new friends, and get involved in new activities! It’s okay to not have everything planned out. Also, don’t forget to take care of yourself; finding a balance between work and fun is key to having a great year!
Ask me about:
Research, Pre-Health, Clubs, and Internships
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Emily McCarthy
Class of 2025
Hometown: Belmont, MA
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Concentration: Machine Learning
What are your goals after graduation?
I’m planning on going to grad school to pursue a PhD!
What activities or organizations are you involved in on campus?
AXS, WISE, and intramural soccer.
Favorite winter-time activity?
Watching Christmas movies and sledding.
Favorite spot(s) in Boston?
Seaport and the North End.
Favorite place for food in Boston?
Nud Pob and El Jefe’s.
What were you up to this summer?
I interned with Amgen on their Advanced Modeling and Simulation team!
What advice do you wish you were given before your sophomore year at BU?
Continue to branch out and try new things. There’s plenty of time to explore new opportunities both academically and socially and keeping a good balance is important.
Ask me about:
Research on campus/UROP.
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Eliott Dinfotan
Class of 2025
Hometown: Danville, CA
Major: Computer Engineering
Concentration: Machine Learning
What are your goals after graduation?
I hope to get a job in industry while pursuing a Masters in either engineering or business administration. I’ll probably also adopt a pet.
What activities or organizations are you involved in on campus?
Kappa Theta Pi (professional technology fraternity), BU Filipino Student Association.
Favorite winter-time activity?
Getting hot coffee and work done at a cafe.
Favorite spot(s) in Boston?
Blue Bottle in the Prudential Center (and the rest of Newbury St. if the weather is nice).
Favorite place for food in Boston?
Santouka Ramen.
What were you up to this summer?
I had a software engineering internship with General Dynamics Mission Systems.
What advice do you wish you were given before your sophomore year at BU?
Have a good system to organize your to-do lists, and get good sleep!
Ask me about:
Getting research or internships, building a portfolio, how to approach interviews.
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Maiko Lum
Class of 2025
Hometown: Vestal, NY
Major: Biomedical Engineering
What are your goals after graduation?
Industry or grad school.
What activities or organizations are you involved in on campus?
Biomedical Engineering Society, Theta Tau
Favorite winter-time activity?
Sleeping.
Favorite spot(s) in Boston?
Big stairs in Seaport.
Favorite place for food in Boston?
Hmart.
What were you up to this summer?
Full time research in Glaucoma Research Lab (Gong Lab) at BUMC and work at Japonaise Bakery on weekends (plus hang out with friends).
What advice do you wish you were given before your sophomore year at BU?
Join clubs and start thinking about your career path now so you can choose courses to take and start to steer yourself towards that direction (+ start applying for internships/research!)
Ask me about:
Biomedical Engineering Society (open to all majors!!!!!!)
Jacob Labovitz
Class of 2025
Hometown: Sunnyvale, CA
Major: Biomedical Engineering
What are your goals after graduation?
Take a gap year and then attend grad school!
What activities or organizations are you involved in on campus?
Camp Kesem, Stop the Bleed, Climbing Club, Ski and Snowboard Club.
Favorite winter-time activity?
Skiing!
Favorite spot(s) in Boston?
Boston Common.
Favorite place for food in Boston?
Alive & Kicking Lobsters.
What were you up to this summer?
I worked full time in my lab studying CNS wound repair! I also spent two weeks traveling Eastern Europe.
What advice do you wish you were given before your sophomore year at BU?
Take chances and try new things. You can’t succeed if you don’t try in the first place.
Ask me about:
Research.