Undergraduate researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Email: nathandrakeviii@tamu.edu
Nathaniel is a senior mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University. After graduation, he plans to pursue additional graduate degrees in both business and engineering. Both his current research work with the two stage light-gas gun and his previous material science research with the U.S. Army Research Laboratories support his long term goals of providing tools for modern warfighters to allow them to execute tasks safely and effectively. Nathaniel is excited to continue his hypervelocity impact research and find new ways to help extend the test capabilities at HVIL.
Cullen Miller
Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Hometown: The Woodlands, TX
Email: cjmiller22@tamu.edu
Cullen is a senior mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M. He will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in May 2022, although he is also considering a Master’s degree. His experience includes working as a fluid mechanics research and development intern at Halliburton. He is looking forward to continuing to work with Dr. Lacy and the HVIL team for the rest of his undergraduate career.
Mikayla Wiest
Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Hometown: Friendswood, TX
Email: mwiest@tamu.edu
Mikayla Wiest is a sophomore honors mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M. She plans to graduate in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She is active on campus and holds a leadership position in one of her organizations. Mikayla is incredibly excited to gain research experience and looks forward to her time working in the HVIL.
Brynn Martin
Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Email: brynnmartin1@tamu.edu
Brynn is a senior mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M. She is on track to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in December of 2022. Before joining the HVIL in December of 2021, she had several experiences working in many team environments. She is president of a student organization on campus and her recent summer internship in building design provided great collaboration exposure to a team of different engineers. Brynn is very excited to begin hypervelocity impact research with the HVIL team.
Dean Biava
Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Hometown: Belton, TX
Email: deanbiava@tamu.edu
Dean is a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering at Texas A&M. He plans on graduating in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He is new to the field of academic research but looks forward to his future at HVIL with Dr. Lacy and the rest of the team.
Michael Rakoski
Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Hometown: Katy, TX
Email: michaelrakoski@tamu.edu
Michael is a sophomore mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University. He plans on graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in May 2024. He has experience developing scripts for computational modeling, sensors, and user interfaces for various labs/design teams. His research interests include the aerospace industry, hypersonics, structures, and materials.
Sarah Beth Ragan
Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Hometown: Dripping Springs, TX
Email: sarahbragan@tamu.edu
Sarah Beth is a sophomore mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M. She plans to graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science and afterwards pursue a M.S. Business degree at A&M. She is in a leadership position in an organization on campus and has previous experience researching properties and measurement methods of magnetic materials. Sarah Beth is looking forward to participating in research at the HVIL.
Vanessa Barton
Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX
Email: vanessa_barton@tamu.edu
Vanessa Barton is an honors mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University. She is on track to complete her bachelor’s degree in May 2024 and is considering pursuing a master’s degree. She is looking forward to gaining experience in academic research and investigating hypervelocity impact phenomena and material characterization alongside Dr. Lacy and the HVIL team.
Nick Kroger
Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Hometown: Houston, TX
Email: nakroger1@tamu.edu
Nick is a sophomore Mechanical Engineering student planning on graduating with a Bachelors of Science in May of 2024. Nick joined the HVIL team in the Spring of 2022, and has since been assisting in the research of hypervelocity impacts into next generation carbon composites and concretes. He is interested in pursuing research in a variety of fields including materials, robotics, fluids, and general mechanics.