Meet the VSA's
Our team is a group of close-knit, hardworking individuals with a range of majors, interests, and campus involvements. To learn more about our experiences and check out our blogs, click the profiles below!
Mechanical Engineering
Jeet Madnani
Class of 2025
Guangzhou, China
he/him/his
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Ayomide Ajayi
Class of 2026
Chicago, Illinois
he/him/his
YEAR: Class of 2026
HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois
PRONOUNS: he/him/his
Growing up in the best city of the world, with the best food I have grown into a food enthusiast, I love cooking and trying new foods. On campus I continue to foster community through my involvement in National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Black Student Assembly (BSA). I am most passionate about building connections with people, discussing aspirations and life long goals.
I am currently involved in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) as a Student Transfer Representative. SHPE is an organization that empowers engineering students that identify as Hispanic to develop networking skills and leadership. Outside of SHPE, I am a part time intern for SoCal Gas in the Pipeline Engineering Design team.
Environmental Engineering
Sejal Sharma
Class of 2026
Manassas, Virginia
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2026
HOMETOWN: Manassas, Virginia
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
I am currently involved in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), which focuses on female empowerment and leadership/learning opportunities for women in STEM. Additionally, I am on the Composites sub-team for USC's FSAE racing team.
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Victoria Aguirre
Class of 2026
Irvine, California
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2026
HOMETOWN: Irvine, California
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
I am currently involved in research on campus through the WiDeS Group where I focus on configuring and analyzing ray tracer modeling for wireless communications so that we can continue to improve our communication systems everywhere! Outside of engineering, I am also involved in USC's Trojan Club Tennis Team where I get to travel nationally with my team to compete against other collegiate teams.
Chemical Engineering (Nanotechnology)
Sydney Fiorentino
Class of 2024
San Francisco, California
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2024
HOMETOWN: San Francisco, California
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
Bio: I have been involved in conducting research relating to nanoparticles and microfluidics. I'm a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, AICHE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers), and Gen-Zine. Outside of school I enjoy writing and have gotten into blog writing and radio reporting.
Mechanical Engineering
Peyton Erickson
Class of 2024
Ventura, California
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2026
HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois
PRONOUNS: he/him/his
I'm involved with the W.V.T Rusch Honors Engineering Program along with being a member of the Grand Challenge Scholar Program and the Society of Women Engineers. I'm also a member of the 3D4E student organization. Outside of Viterbi, I am involved with the USC Women's soccer team as a manager and a member of SC Outfitters.
Mechanical Engineering
Grace Sampson
Class of 2024
Blue Grass, Iowa
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2024
HOMETOWN: Blue Grass, Iowa
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
I am currently involved in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), which is a student organization that focuses on social, profession, and community driven events to support women in STEM fields. I am also involved with the Formula Electric team as the Powertrain lead where I help with the design and manufacturing of the vehicle's battery. I also work as a TA for our mechanical engineering measurement and instrumentation class. Outside of engineering, I am involved in the Ski and Snowboard Team which has a permanent residence in Mammoth for the winter season.
Computer Science
Taylor Hill-Miles
Class of 2025
Gainesville, Florida
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2025
HOMETOWN: Gainesville, Florida
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
Currently, I serve on the regional and collegiate executive boards of the National Society for Black Engineers(NSBE), and am a member of a host of other student organizations to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the field of engineering. In my free time I like to go hiking, run, and volunteer. I am also trying to learn how to surf this semester.
Environmental Engineering
Vidya Iyer
Class of 2025
Des Moines, Iowa
they/them/theirs
YEAR: Class of 2025
HOMETOWN: Des Moines, Iowa
PRONOUNS: they/them/theirs
Outside of VSA, I am a co-Lead Organizer for Student Coalition for Asian Pacific Empowerment, volunteer at the LGBTQ+ student center, and I participate in activism across USC and LA! I'm looking to get into research this year as well, hopefully in water quality or CO2 recycling.
YEAR: Class of 2026
HOMETOWN: La Canada, California
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
On campus, I am involved with Women in Computing and Illumin Magazine. I also conduct research in the Laboratory for Design of Medical and Analytical Devices. Outside of Viterbi, I am a member of the Society of Women Engineers' WE Local Advisory Board.
Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Silas John
Class of 2025
Carson, California
he/him/his
YEAR: Class of 2025
HOMETOWN: Carson, California
PRONOUNS: he/him/his
In Viterbi, I focus my attention on computer science research regarding the optimization of multi-robot collision avoidance in an unmapped 3D environment and enjoy teaching younger students computer science and robotics through CS@SC. I enthusiastically pursue music outside of Viterbi as a part of the Songwriter's Forum and as an instrumentalist for local bands in Southern California. At any given moment, find me producing music at my church, testing out a new card trick, or writing arbitrary computer programs to just make life easier!
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Lucas Mortenson
Class of 2024
Golf, Illinois
he/him/his
YEAR: Class of 2024
HOMETOWN: Golf, Illinois
PRONOUNS: he/him/his
At USC, I am involved in a number of different academic associations including being a part of IISE, Scholars Leading Scholars, and The Freshman Engineering Academy coaching team. Outside of academics, I am involved in Greek Life, I am on the club Water Polo team, and I actively participate in the arts scene, both through my songwriting minor and other events such as open mic nights.
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Maya Neuenschwander
Class of 2024
Hudson, Wisconsin
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2024
HOMETOWN: Hudson, Wisconsin
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
Astronautical Engineering
Nicholas Pardo
Class of 2024
Bakersfield, California
he/him/his
YEAR: Class of 2024
HOMETOWN: Bakersfield, California
PRONOUNS: he/him/his
I’m involved in the Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion and Energy Lab, conducting research in modeling a solid-core nuclear thermal rocket engine. I serve as the V.P. Of Membership for the Society of Hispanic Professional engineers as well as Activities Director for The Trojan Knights.
Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Anna Hsu
Class of 2026
Vienna, Virginia
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2026
HOMETOWN: Vienna, Virginia
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
At USC, I'm a part of HackSC, the flagship hackathon on campus, and I write stories about research, accomplishments, and events occurring in the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science. I also lead copy editing efforts for College Brief, a nonprofit dedicated to instilling greater news engagement in college-aged audiences. In my spare time, you can find me listening to Mandopop, eating good food in LA + beyond, and going on runs!
Civil Engineering
Kevin Kumar
Class of 2026
Van Nuys, California
he/him/his
YEAR: Class of 2026
HOMETOWN: Van Nuys, California
PRONOUNS: he/him/his
I am currently involved in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as a builder and designer for Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge, and Timber Strong, all of which are design teams where I collaborate with my peers to construct projects. Additionally, I am part of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI-SEAOSC), another design team where we construct a building out of balsa wood. Another involvement of mine is the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) where I connect with Hispanic engineers through social events and learn about professionalism in the engineering industry. Finally, I have participated in research through the Center for Undergraduate Research in Viterbi Engineering (CURVE) studying wastewater treatment and am currently conducting research in the Petersen Lab focused on computer-modeling clay and geomaterial aggregation at macroscopic levels.
Biomedical Engineering
Ava Basile
Class of 2025
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2025
HOMETOWN: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
I am currently involved in RoboPals which is a student run organization that teaches engineering workshops to local elementary school students and I am also a member of Associated Students of Biomedical Engineering (ASBME). Outside of Viterbi, I am a part of Break Through Hip Hop which is a student choreographed team that does guest performance throughout the semester and hosts a showcase every semester, and I'm also a co-director of Trojan Tap Troupe which is a team for intermediate/advanced tap dancers.
Mechanical Engineering
Victoria Pinkett
Class of 2024
Inglewood, California
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2024
HOMETOWN: Inglewood, California
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
I'm a member of Regional Executive Board for the National Society of Black Engineer's Region VI. On campus, I am also involved in USC Makers.
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Mira Pratama
Class of 2024
Jakarta, Indonesia
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2024
HOMETOWN: Jakarta, Indonesia
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
I am currently involved in the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), which is a student organization that focuses on Asians' STEM career development and leadership growth. Outside of Viterbi, I am also involved in the International Student Assembly (ISA), an undergraduate student government assembly that serves the international community at USC.
Astronautical Engineering
Kaleigh Ray
Class of 2025
Bakersfield, California
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2025
HOMETOWN: Bakersfield, California
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
I have been involved in research at the Space Engineering Research Center (SERC) as well as a member of USC’s Rocket Propulsion Lab. At SERC, I worked on developing a docking system for cubesats with project CLING and am currently work on project STARFISH. In RPL, I am on the composites team and design team. Outside of Viterbi, I have interned at Astrolab where I was a Structures and Mechanisms Engineering intern and helped with lunar mission development and payload prototyping. I also like doing inter murals and photography on my free time!
Biomedical Engineering
Mateo Sabio Paese
Class of 2025
Menlo Park, California
he/him/his
YEAR: Class of 2025
HOMETOWN: Menlo Park, California
PRONOUNS: he/him/his
On campus I am involved in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers as the SHPE Jr. Director and work in the Viterbi Admission and Student Engagement Office. I also work part-time in the USC Village.
Computer Science/Business Administration
Jevon Torres
Class of 2024
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
he/him/his
YEAR: Class of 2024
HOMETOWN: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
PRONOUNS: he/him/his
On campus I am involved with our National Society of Black Engineers chapter, as well as Black Student Assembly. Outside of class, I love photography, music production and talking about movies!
Environmental Engineering
Mitchell Kirby
Class of 2026
Scranton, Pennsylvania
he/him/his
YEAR: Class of 2026
HOMETOWN: Scranton, Pennsylvania
PRONOUNS: he/him/his
I am currently involved in Viterbi Makers as a Project Manager where I create a project idea for my team and I to assemble and build throughout the year for our project showcase to our sponsors in the spring to promote innovation in electronics.
Biomedical Engineering
Asna Tabassum
Class of 2024
Chino Hills, CA
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2024
HOMETOWN: Chino Hills, CA
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
On campus, I'm involved in pre-health service club Blueprints For Pangaea, Muslim Student Union, and the Medical and Analytical Devices Laboratory. In my free time, I enjoy hammocking at Hammock Hill or playing tennis with my friends.
Biomedical Engineering
Aisha Yamamoto
Class of 2024
Kaneohe, Hawaii
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2024
HOMETOWN: Kaneohe, Hawaii
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
I am involved with research on identifying neuronal pathways spanning multiple depressive disorders and worked with a biotech startup over the summer. Aside from engineering, I'm involved in Troy Camp, Hawaii Club, and volunteer within the LA community.
Computer Science
Saafiyah Patel
Class of 2025
Fullerton, CA
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2025
HOMETOWN: Fullerton, CA
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
On campus, I am involved with Makers, where I am currently working on a virtual reality version of Subway Surfers. I am also a part of Theta Tau, a professional engineering society, and Muslim Student Union. Outside of school, I love thrifting, exploring LA, and going to concerts.
Biomedical Engineering
Celine Vazquez
Class of 2024
Montebello, CA
she/her/hers
YEAR: Class of 2024
HOMETOWN: Monterey Park, CA
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
On campus, I am involved with Makers, where I am currently working on a virtual reality version of Subway Surfers. I am also a part of Theta Tau, a professional engineering society, and Muslim Student Union. Outside of school, I love thrifting, exploring LA, and going to concerts.
