Meet the Team
Michigan Vertical Flight Technology is a diverse multi-disciplinary team at the University of Michigan. Although we are associated directly with the College of Engineering, our members span multiple schools and areas of study spanning from graduates to undergraduates within the College of Engineering, College of Literature, Arts, and Sciences, and the Ross School of Business. Our many engineering majors include Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Science & Engineering, and hopefully others soon!
Team Leads
President: Emily O'Connell
Education: Senior - Major in Aerospace Engineering
As President of Michigan Vertical Flight Technology, Emily is responsible for major administrative tasks, high-level team vision, maintaining corporate relationships, team funding, and systems integration. Outside of MVFT, she is the Internal Vice President for Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics (WAA) and an active member of Sigma Gamma Tau - Aerospace Honor Society.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Chief Engineer: Pedro Pascotto
Education: Senior - Major in Aerospace Engineering Minor in Computer Science
As our Chief Engineer, Pedro works to coordinate projects done by the subteam members. These projects include contributing to the ArduPilot control schemes to the eVTOL, accomplishing autonomous flight, and manufacturing a prototype to test control schemes and autonomous flight.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Aerodynamics Lead and Design & Manufacturing Director: Mateo Amprimo
Education: Junior - Major in Aerospace Engineering
Mateo leverages his aerodynamic design and fluid dynamics experience to lead the aerodynamics side of our Structures sub-team. He is responsible for preliminary design, optimization, analysis, and work distribution to get our vehicles air-worthy and keep us on schedule.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Avionics Lead and Risk Manger: Alison Brei
Education: Sophomore - Mechanical Engineering
As Avionics Lead, Alison works to coordinate projects done by the subteam members. These projects include contributing to the ArduPilot control schemes to the eVTOL, accomplishing autonomous flight, and manufacturing a prototype to test control schemes and autonomous flight.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Power Systems Lead: Cole Dimich
Education: Senior - Major in Electrical Engineering
As Power Systems Lead, Cole focuses his time on designing and fabricating the power plants for our aircraft. He works closely with the Propulsion team to develop a fully integrated system that will optimize the efficiency of our designs. Beyond MVFT he is the President of the Michigan Waterski Team and enjoys self-started home automation projects.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Propulsion Lead: Claudia Zimmerman
Education: Junior - Major in Mechanical Engineering
As Propulsion Lead, Claudia is responsible for leading the propulsion system configuration and design in each of our aircraft. She is interested in air-breathing propulsion systems, rotor-wing designs, and composites.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Airframe Lead: Daniel Flavio
Education: Junior - Major in Mechanical Engineering
As Airframe Lead, Daniel focuses on the design of internal load-bearing structures within MVFT projects and leads CAD tutorials, design for manufacturing, and structure optimization.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Director of Team Culture: Grace Doyon
Education: Sophomore - Major in Mechanical Engineering
As the Director of Team Culture, Grace is focused on the implementation and continuous improvement of our DEI plan, web presence, and team bonding events. Within the team, she is also involved on our Airframe and Aerodynamics Subteams.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers