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People Spotlights

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  • Undergraduate Student

Nerissa Finnen

I am Nerissa Finnen, an undergraduate student majoring in Electrical Engineering at Caltech. I first discovered my interest in electronics after competing with my high school’s robotics team. During my time at Caltech, I have enjoyed learning about hardware and embedded systems, and I hope to develop technology that will improve society or bring happiness to others. Outside of my studies, I practice figure skating at the ice rink near the Pasadena Convention Center. My favorite tricks to perform are the hydroblade and the triple jump. After I graduate, I will work at a space startup, and I also hope to pursue a graduate degree in radio-frequency electronics or integrated circuit design in the future.

  • Graduate Student, Material Science

Zachary A. Chase

Hi all! I’m Zac, a fourth-year PhD candidate in materials science under the advisement of Professor Katherine Faber. In collaboration with JPL, my research focuses on manipulating the microstructures of 3D-printed, high-temperature materials. By introducing targeted interfacial treatments to printed microstructures, we enable tunable densification, dopant-driven crystal stabilization, and enhanced thermal crack resistance. Outside of research, I serve as one of the co-chairs of the Caltech Graduate Student Council. Prior to this, I founded the EAS Graduate Student Advisory Board, which aims to provide insights to the EAS Division in order to achieve a continuing understanding of students' perspectives and program quality. I am also the student liaison for the Keck Institute for Space Studies – the amazing think tank situated on campus. When I’m not in the lab or volunteering, I perform lead vocals for my band, The Muscadines, with my friends Jadon Bienz (See/Cushing Groups), Ethan McGarrigle, and Evan Gonzalez.

  • Graduate Student, Mechanical and Civil Engineering

Aman Eujayl

I am a third-year PhD student in Mechanical and Civil Engineering at Caltech, advised by Professor Ruby Fu. Before coming to Caltech, I completed my Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Rice University. My research focuses on investigating how water flows and freezes in subfreezing porous media at the microscale, such as snow or permafrost. My research project involves conducting microfluidic experiments to observe unique and beautiful patterns that occur when liquid water freezes and flows simultaneously. I use fluorescent imaging to observe preferential flow channels and microscale stepped ice structures in a quasi-2D flow visualization experiment. The broader impact of my research is its ability to inform computational models with pore-scale details of the underlying thermodynamics and physics that affect macroscale patterns seen in nature. There is still much to learn about how ice lenses, ice pipes, and ice terraces form in cold-region geosystems, particularly how climate change affects them. I am excited to continue research in this area, and hope to expand my fundamental study to investigate different parameter space or different materials. Outside of my research, I am part of the Graduate Summer Research Institute community and served as a peer mentor from 2024 to 2025. Additionally, I am an EAS Chair Scholar and currently serve as the Vice President of the Black Scientists and Engineers of Caltech. I enjoy doing yoga and Pilates, and exploring new restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area with my friends.

  • Postdoctoral Scholar, Electrical Engineering

Michael Hobley

Hi, I’m Michael, a postdoctoral researcher working with Pietro Perona at Caltech. I’m currently the head scientist of the Fisheye team, a collaboration between Caltech, MIT, and UMass Amherst that’s developing AI tools to automatically count migratory salmon using sonar imagery. It’s part of my broader fascination with using artificial intelligence to tackle problems in environmental science, especially when it comes to counting things that are hard to count. One of my favorite parts of my job is teaching at the Computer Vision for Ecology workshop — a three-week residential program where we help ecologists learn how to use computer vision to advance their research. Before coming to Caltech, I was in Oxford, first for my doctorate and then working at a hypersonic jet engine research company. Outside of the lab, I love rowing, leatherwork, camping, and climbing.

  • Graduate Student, Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Fengze Xie

I am a fifth-year PhD student in Computing and Mathematical Sciences at Caltech, co-advised by Professors Yisong Yue and Soon-Jo Chung. My research focuses on learning-based control for real robotic systems. This is my sixth year at Caltech, which includes one year completing an M.S. in Electrical Engineering. Before coming to Caltech, I graduated from UIUC with degrees in Computer Engineering and Engineering Physics. During my PhD, I have worked with a wide range of robotic platforms, including quadrotors, ground vehicles, fixed-wing aircraft, and quadrupeds. I am passionate about designing robot hardware and algorithms that serve people in real-world applications, from exploration to everyday use. Currently, I am starting an exciting project on humanoid robots. My goal is to deliver practical, robust results that are also elegant and useful to the broader community. I am always happy to connect, share progress, and learn from others. In my spare time, I enjoy reading detective and science fiction novels. I also appreciate the weather in Pasadena and the welcoming atmosphere at Caltech. Over the years, I have learned a great deal and received support from many people on campus, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to study and explore here.

  • Graduate Student, Control & Dynamical Systems

Massimiliano de Sa

Hi everyone! My name is Max, and I’m a G3 in Control & Dynamical Systems advised by Professor Aaron Ames. My work lies broadly in the area of nonlinear control. Currently, I’m interested in the applications of differential geometry and geometric mechanics to modern nonlinear control problems. Prior to Caltech, I studied mechanical engineering at UC Berkeley, where I focused on more applied problems in robotics. Outside of research, I’m interested in education in CDS, and am developing educational resources to lower the barrier of entry to the field. I also like drinking coffee—an open problem in this area is how to use the espresso machine I recently got for my office—if you have any insights, please let me know!