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.
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.