The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/50105
classnotes 25 with my fiancé and started my first job at a start-up called Soapstone Networks. It was a learning experience, but un- fortunately the company went under in 2009. Later that year I started working at SolidWorks as a software engineer. I have been in their API group for almost two years now, and I love the company. After a September wedding we will honeymoon in Hawaii." Theodore McDonald '08 writes, "At WPI I worked on a small-scale hybrid rocket engine for my MQP. I now hold a full- time job as a propulsion test engineer working on the Dragon Propulsion System for Space Exploration Technologies in McGregor, Texas. Though some say I've 'grown up,' I still tinker with amateur rocket engines at home." 27 Ryan Graves '08 received his Wings of Gold for completion of the Naval Aviation program, as well as a Top Hook award for his top grades. He is now stationed in Virginia Beach, where he will continue training on the F/A Super Hornet before being made available for worldwide deployment as a member of a carrier strike group. Jessica Coelho '08 writes, "I've moved to Hartford and have worked for MDC, a water and sewer company, for three years. This July I was able to travel to Sao Miguel in the Azores. This island is where my great-grandparents are from and it was my first time getting to see it." degree in physics from North Carolina State in 2009 and am pursuing my PhD in physics, focusing on tribological characterization of percolated lead films above and below the superconducting transition, with an expected graduation in 2012. On a less scientific note, I became a Yoga Alliance RYT-200 certified yoga instructor. In my spare time (left over from superconductors and sun salutations), I dance West Coast Swing and make jam out of as much of the wonderful southern produce as I can. (Get it? 'Can?' I crack myself up.)" 25 Marc Schultz '07 recently completed the Juvenile Diabetes (bicycle) Ride-to-Cure in Burlington, Vt. John Scimone '07 says, "Great news! I just got engaged to Faith Henderson—I met her while at WPI six years ago. No date is set for the wedding yet, but it will probably be on Cape Cod in a couple years. We're very excited." Kris Nigro '07 says, "I'm currently working as a senior proj- ect engineer for McCarthy Building Companies on a hospital complex replacement project in Oakland, Calif. Also pursu- ing an MSODL degree through WPI's new blended learning format." Sanjayan Manivannan '07 writes, "I recently graduated from the MBA program at Harvard. I am re-entering the work force as an associate at McKinsey & Company in their Boston office. Recent travels have taken me to Denver, Salt Lake City, London, and Venice." Sam Feller '07 says, "I recently launched a new website, www.awkwardengineer.com." [See page 86.] James Phelan '07 tells us, "I got married in July 2010. I live in Los Angeles and have worked at ExxonMobil since gradu- ation as a project development engineer. I'm also attending law school part time." Jeffrey Sanders '07 is a fourth-year doctoral student in structural biology and molecular pharmacology at Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and is currently doing research for the DOD. Hillary Perkins '07 tells us that she found work as a research assistant at BU's Medical School in the pathology department, "with the help of WPI's CDC Jobfinder site. I cel- ebrated my one-year anniversary there in August, and intend to start working toward my MS in pathology in the near future." 26 Kaitlyn Anderson '08 and Ryan Adams '10 became engaged in June and are excited to be planning a fall 2012 wedding. Kaitlyn is a product manager for ConforMI in Burlington, Mass., and Ryan is an operational excellence specialist for Shire HGT in Lexington." Emily Potter '08 writes, "After graduating, I bought a house Fall 2011 81 Adam Schwartz '08 works for Rolf Jensen and Assoc.in San Diego. He recently went to Washington, D.C., to celebrate his grandmother's 100th birthday. "What an epic event! She still does everything but drive and still has a great sense of humor. About 50 family members got together for the event, including my brother (who also graduated from WPI with an ECE degree in 2010). With San Diego's plethora of musicians and the intoxicating weather, avoiding moving back to the East Coast is high on my priority list!" Tiffany Walls '08 says she became engaged to her boy- friend of three years, Jason Smith, in August. "I also cel- ebrated the third year of working as a medical technologist for Athena Diagnostics and the one-year anniversary of receiving our boxer puppy, Roscoe." Celeste Fay '08 writes, "I moved from an A/E firm doing run-of-the mill (no pun intended!) hydropower consulting, to the Alden Research Lab in Holden, Mass., where I can rub shoulders with the real hydropower minds." Kyle Gauthier '08 says, "I graduated from U.S. Air Force pilot training and earned my wings. I'm now stationed at Ramstein AFB in Germany, flying the C-130J in support of U.S. forces in Europe and Africa."