top of page

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

Emily_OConnell.jpg

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

Pedro_Website_Headshot2020.JPG
Screenshot 2021-10-06 152926_edited.jpg

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

andre_edited.jpg
11111111111111111_edited.jpg

Power Systems Lead: Andre Jones

Education: Junior - Major in Aerospace Engineering 

As Power lead, Andre oversees the optimization of our electromechanical system to provide the most efficient and competitive configuration of our aircraft. By working closely with the propulsion team, Andre is able to seamlessly integrate the power needed to get our aircraft in the air and across the finish line over and over again.

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

Professional Photo_edited.jpg

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

Grace Headshot_edited.jpg

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

bottom of page