Andrew Ali

Andrew is a senior at CWRU majoring in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Business Leadership. He originally came to CWRU as a student-athlete to join the football team and pursue an engineering degree. Andrew is a member of the national championship-winning club VTOL CWRU, a student organization that designs, builds, and flies large-scale drones. He has also worked at CLEANR, a sustainability-focused startup founded at CWRU that aims to reduce microplastic pollution by developing filtration systems for washing machines, currently being tested in campus dorms. These experiences have deepened his interest in clean energy, product design, and the intersection of engineering and environmental responsibility. Andrew has completed full-time internships at Nexus Engineering Group and Consolidated Precision Products, where he gained hands-on experience in mechanical and aerospace system design and manufacturing. Through the ThinkEnergy Fellowship, Andrew looks forward to expanding his knowledge of the energy sector and learning from industry leaders. He is particularly interested in how engineering innovation can support the transition to sustainable energy systems, as well as the connection between energy and entrepreneurship. Passionate about team dynamics and leadership, Andrew draws from a lifelong background in team sports and is eager to collaborate with fellow ThinkEnergy participants.

Tanush Anand

Tanush is a junior from Ashburn, Virginia studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Materials Science. He currently works under Professor John Lewandowski assisting in designing and building a wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) 3D printer, integrating multiple material processing techniques. In addition to this, he is a teaching assistant for Circuits and Instrumentation and is a jumper for the varsity track team where he holds the school record in the indoor triple jump. Tanush explores his interest in sustainability as a lead for the Solar Team in Humanitarian Design Corps. His team is currently working to design and build a solar-powered outdoor charging system for the Leutner Pavilion. Through the ThinkEnergy fellowship, Tanush aims to develop a method to power student-heavy areas at CWRU, particularly those with device-charging capabilities, exclusively with solar energy. While this is an ambitious goal, Tanush believes it’s achievable by leveraging the right resources and connecting with people who share a passion for sustainable innovation. In his free time, Tanush enjoys exploring new cafes/restaurants and building up his lego collection.

Keith Brennan

Keith Brennan is a junior biomedical engineering student from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His research experience includes vagus nerve mapping with Dr. Andrew Shoffstall’s REVA histology lab at Case Western Reserve University, as well as modeling thumb muscular anatomy and joints using cadaver-verified endpoint velocities in collaboration with Swarthmore College. Keith is particularly interested in developing medical devices for nerve and muscle stimulation, focusing on improving their energy efficiency and storage. Through the Think Energy Fellowship, he aims to deepen his understanding of energy generation, distribution, and storage to gain context on the processes involved in powering medical technologies. He is especially interested in strategies to extend device lifespans and optimize power consumption to create more sustainable and less invasive healthcare technology. In his free time, Keith enjoys biking, running, hiking, and reading.

Jelena Cheng

Jelena is an international student from Nanjing, China, who spent her high school years in North Ridgeville, OH. She is currently a junior majoring in Materials Science and Engineering with a minor in Applied Data Science. Jelena began her research journey in high school and has been involved with the Solar Durability and Lifetime Extension (SDLE) Research Center at Case Western Reserve University for two years, focusing on photovoltaic degradation and materials aging studies. Her main interest in energy lies in solar energy, and she is passionate about developing durable, efficient materials for renewable energy systems. Jelena is thrilled to join the ThinkEnergy team, where she looks forward to deepening her understanding of clean energy systems and applying her knowledge toward practical, real-world solutions. She is also excited to combine her technical expertise with entrepreneurship to expand the use of renewable energy. Passionate about creating innovative materials to transform the world, Jelena is eager to contribute to impactful change in the energy landscape. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and skateboarding.

Sho Fraser

Sho Fraser is a junior studying Chemical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. He is a member of the Renner Research Laboratory, where he conducts research on engineered peptides and their ability to detect rare earth minerals. As a fellow, he is excited to contribute to innovative projects focused on clean, renewable energy. With the global demand for energy continuing to rise, Sho believes that clean energy solutions are essential for advancing technology in a sustainable way. He is also passionate about entrepreneurship and looks forward to collaborating with and learning from successful entrepreneurs in the energy sector. His primary interest within renewable energy lies in nuclear fast reactors and their potential for a closed fuel cycle. Outside of academics and research, Sho enjoys working out and playing soccer.

Rishabh Kundu

Rishabh Kundu is a second-year Ph.D. student in Materials Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, advised by Profs. Alp Sehirlioglu and Roger French. His research explores the reliability and lifetime of electronic components—especially capacitors—through the integration of materials science and data science. He earned a B.Tech (Hons.) in Ceramic Engineering from NIT Rourkela, India, and an M.Sc. in Materials Science from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany. Passionate about sustainability, Rishabh collaborates across sectors to promote responsible innovation and is affiliated with ACerS and the International Alliance of Societies for a Sustainable Future. He is also the youngest recipient of ACerS' Global Ambassador Award. Outside of research, he enjoys hiking, exploring new activities, and creating outreach content on sustainability and materials science.

Merry Li

Merry Li is a junior from Brooklyn, NY, studying Political Science and Psychology on a pre-law track. As a Think[energy] fellow she is excited to see the intersection between legislation/policy and clean energy. She’s interested in developing a viable/scalable solution with her team that could expand beyond her time at Think[energy]. She is especially eager to learn more about carbon capture technologies/solutions to address the carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere. Outside of academics, Merry enjoys crocheting, reading, and swimming.

Edward Liu

Eddie is a third-year Chemical Engineering student from New Jersey. As a fellow, he’s excited to broaden his understanding of energy beyond the technical side: diving into the policy, infrastructure, and real-world challenges of implementing energy technologies into society. On campus, he’s deeply involved in sustainability research, currently working in Dr. Christine Duval’s lab to develop a more energy-efficient method for recovering rare earth metals. In his free time, he enjoys lifting, swimming, reading, and hanging out with friends.

Alessandro Mason

Alessandro Mason was born in Italy and spent his first 16 years there before attending UWC Robert Bosch College in Freiburg, Germany, which is renowned for sustainability and international diversity. Immersed in a city of wind turbines and green innovation, Alessandro’s passion for renewable energy deepened as he lived on a campus with solar panels and eco-friendly infrastructure. During his time there, Alessandro collaborated with sustainability experts to reduce dining hall food waste by introducing smaller plates which reduced food waste by 14% and showed him how creative, data-driven ideas can drive real-world change. After UWC, Alessandro enrolled at Case Western Reserve University, where he founded two startup apps, completed the I-Corps program, and was named a Veale Snyder Fellow in entrepreneurship. Alessandro looks forward to joining the Think[energy] Fellowship to deepen his expertise in emerging energy systems and policy, and to work alongside peers and mentors to turn bold, sustainable ideas into impactful, deployable projects for the future.

Matagari Ouattara

Matagari is a junior at Case Western Reserve University, double majoring in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering. Originally from Burkina Faso, she completed her early education there and earned her International Baccalaureate diploma in Singapore. Her international journey has shaped a deep awareness of global disparities and inspired a commitment to innovation-driven impact. Having witnessed the consequences of unreliable electricity on healthcare in her home region, Matagari is passionate about bridging medical innovation with energy accessibility. She has worked on projects ranging from solar energy systems for underserved communities to medical device repairs and social ventures, all aimed at creating sustainable, community-centered solutions. Through ThinkEnergy, she hopes to deepen her understanding of energy systems and collaborate with like-minded peers. Outside the classroom, she enjoys basketball, running, cooking, and engaging in thought-provoking discussions.

Tayseera Pillane

Tayseera Pillane is an international student from Malawi and a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering. As a ThinkEnergy Fellow, she is excited to understand the intricacies surrounding energy, including policy and its applications, and to see how these manifest in manufacturing environments and the shift toward clean manufacturing. She is interested in manufacturing and innovation but believes that as the field progresses, it is vital to center energy in the push for advancement. She is also eager to explore how progress and sustainability can become synonymous in a way that uplifts communities while safeguarding the environment.

Stacy Shutts

Stacy Shutts is a dual degree graduate student in Bioethics and Social Work for mental health. Before returning to school, she worked on environmental conservation projects for over ten years. This included her work in the Peace Corps in Paraguay, installing biodigesters and holding workshops on biogas for home use. On returning to the U.S., she worked at NASA and volunteered with a local Engineers Without Borders chapter. Stacy made a career switch to learn more about ethics and equity and looks forward to incorporating this lens through the ThinkEnergy Fellowship. She enjoys hiking and traveling to learn about new cultures in her spare time. Stacy is excited to work with a diverse group and contribute to regional and renewable energy projects.