Team Members

Meet the SWE Tech Team 2017-2018!

Subteams

Connectivity: Breanna Belz, Heather Flynn, Olivia Garcia-Velez, Emory Smith
Energy: Yilin Dwyer, Madeline Stanton, Gemma Stanton, Mackenzie Winton
Structure: Annalena Bellm, Sophie Lancaster, Holly Miller, Natalie Rivas

Biographies (in alphabetical order)

Annalena Bellm (Structure Subgroup - Civil Engineering, Class of 2021)

I am a Civil Engineering Major planning on double minoring in German and Corporate Practice for Engineers. As part of the structure sub-group, I am excited to continue working on the connectivity pavilion and make it a reality for the local school children. Outside of Tech Team, I participate in my hall's Hall Council (Go Welsh Fam Whirlwinds!) in the social committee and in various intramural sports. I am also part of PEMCo, Environmental Engineering Society, and Society for Women Engineers. 

Breanna Belz (Connectivity Subgroup - Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2020)

I am a sophomore mechanical engineering major and a native of Nebraska and Washington state. My career interests include clean energy / energy efficiency, STEM advocacy for children, and CAD / CAM. My personal interests include playing the flute, listening to jazz, and finding new ways to use large binder clips. 

Yilin Dwyer (Energy Subgroup - Computer Science, Class of 2021)

Hi! I'm Yilin Dwyer, a first year Computer Science major at Notre Dame. I live in Cavanaugh Hall. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, taking pictures, playing with my cat, and eating good food :) I am part of the energy subgroup on the SWE Tech Team, and I'm really excited about this project!

Heather Flynn (Connectivity Subgroup - Chemical Engineering, Class of 2019)

Hi, my name is Heather Flynn. I am a junior chemical engineering major and I live in Cavanagh Hall. I joined the SWE Tech team to use my engineering skills to give back to the local South Bend community, learn how to work in a large group setting and with professionals, and to develop new engineering skills I would not be taught in the classroom. For the project this year I am part of the WiFi / Connectivity subgroup and our main goal is to find the best way to connect the pavilion structure to a WiFi source. I hope through this year's project I am able to learn more problem solving techniques and see first-hand how a project like this benefits the local community. In my free time I love to do anything outdoors like hiking or playing with my dogs. During the cold South Bend winters I try to go to as many Notre Dame hockey games as possible. 

Olivia Garcia-Velez (Connectivity Subgroup - Chemical Engineering, Class of 2020)

I am a sophomore chemical engineering major living in Cavanaugh Hall, originally from Miami, Florida.  As Cavanaugh's Sustainability Commissioner, I have been responsible for planning and leading events to raise our dorm's awareness of the state of our environment and how individuals can do their part to help.  Over the past year, I have been focusing on the idea of reducing our carbon footprint by encouraging students to use reusable bags and water bottles, as well as try to minimize their energy usage.  Last semester, I did research in a high-energy density electrochemistry lab, whose goal is to find a more sustainable alternative to lithium batteries.  As this is my second year on the SWE Tech Team, I hope to continue my work with the group in the future, perhaps in a leadership role.  Additionally, I am the goalkeeper on the Notre Dame Women's Club Soccer Team and I hope to pursue a career in the renewable energy sectors.

Sophie Lancaster (Structure Subgroup - Computer Science, Class of 2019)

My name is Sophie Lancaster and I am one of the co-leaders of this year's Tech Team. I am a junior studying Computer Science and have been a part of Tech Team for the last two years. I am originally from Warsaw, Indiana but went to high school in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. This year I am part of the Structure sub-team which is working to decide where to prototype our connectivity pavilions and we will work to find the best structure for the pavilions that will eventually be implemented in vacant lots. I am very excited to be a part of this team and I cannot wait to see what all we accomplish this year!

Holly Miller (Structure Subgroup - Chemical Engineering, Class of 2020)

My name is Holly Miller, and I am a sophomore studying Chemical Engineering at Notre Dame. I am from Canton, Ohio, but on campus I live in Lewis Hall, where I am always busy planning events as the hall's social chair and a dorm ambassador for SWE. I am very passionate about renewable energy and the environment and am lucky to partake in extracurriculars that reflect these interests. Whether it's transforming campus food waste into methane-rich fuel with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, performing research in a nuclear energy laboratory, or implementing a solar-powered connectivity pavilion in South Bend with the SWE Tech Team, I always enjoy pursuing sustainable energy solutions. In my free time, I like to climb at the rock wall on campus and spend time with my friends. 

Natalie Rivas (Structure Subgroup - Environmental Engineering, Class of 2020)

My name is Natalie Rivas and I am a sophomore Environmental Engineer from Los Angeles, California currently living in Welsh Family Hall, where I'm always coming up with punny sayings for my dorm's stall notes (placed in every bathroom to relay out information). You can always catch me at the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures working the front desk and helping others improve their Spanish. In my free time, I enjoy popping in my headphones and running around campus and into South Bend as I train for the upcoming Holy Half Marathon. I am avid lover of all types of music as well as a die-hard Dodgers fan. 

Emory Smith (Connectivity Subgroup - Computer Engineering, Class of 2021)

Hi, thank you for your interest in our team. Within the Tech Team, I am on the Connectivity sub-group. At Notre Dame, I am a first year in the College of Engineering, a resident of Lewis Hall, a member of Notre Dame's Running Club, and a volunteer with the Aquatic Relief for Kids. In my free time, I love to run, listen to npr, and cook. I have spent many of my past years living in the South Bend / Plymouth area, so I am a member of 88.1 WVPE, and an enthusiastic fan of this wonderful city. 

Gemma Stanton (Energy Subgroup - Civil Engineering, Class of 2019)

I am a junior studying Civil Engineering, Resiliency & Sustainability, and Catholic Social Tradition, and this is my third year on Tech Team. I have loved the opportunities I have had to get out of the Notre Dame bubble and learn about the exciting things happening in South Bend. Besides Tech Team, I'm involved in a number of sustainability groups that promote ecological justice, so I feel in my element as we try to power internet access with solar energy. 

Madeline Stanton (Energy Subgroup - Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2020)

Hi my name is Madeline Stanton. I am a sophomore Mechanical Engineer. I am originally from Carmel, IN. This is my second year as a part of Notre Dame's Tech Team. For this project I am a part of the Energy sub-team. Outside of class I am the social commissioner for my dorm (i.e. I plan the dances and other events in the dorm), I have a job delivering cakes, balloons, and other baked goods to people, and I am a part of the Anchor Leadership Program, which focuses on faith formation and leadership. I also like to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity whenever I can. Last summer I had the opportunity to intern with GE Aviation and next summer I will be returning to intern with them again. 

Mackenzie Winton (Energy Subgroup - Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2021)

My name is Mackenzie Winton. I am a freshman Mechanical Engineering major, minoring in Engineering Corporate Practice. My family currently lives in Spring, Texas, but I grew up as an expat kid, living on five continents. I enjoy volunteering on-campus and in the local South Bend area and beyond through SWE, Engineers Without Borders, First Year Engineering Leadership Council, First Aid Service Team, and my dorm, McGlinn Hall. I am part of the energy sub-group for SWE Tech Team, researching and determining the best way to provide charging and WiFi capabilities, specifically through solar panels, to our technology pavilion.