Leadership Team Biographies
Dr. Krishna Athreya - Program Director
Dr. Athreya was appointed as the director of the Engineering Leadership Program on March 1st , 2006. As director, Dr. Athreya supervises all program activities, including curriculum development, mentoring, diversity training, and a leadership learning community, as well as corporate and public outreach efforts.
Dr. Athreya is co-founder and current president of Engineers for a Sustainable World, a national nonprofit organization with chapters and members at dozens of major research institutions across the U.S. Engineers for a Sustainable World mobilizes both engineers and engineering students to address the challenges of global poverty and sustainability through education, public outreach, and development work both domestically and internationally.
From 1993 to 2000, Dr. Athreya was coordinator of Iowa
State's Program for Women in Science and Engineering.
She also served as director of Women's Programs in
Engineering from 2000 to 2004 at Cornell University in
Ithaca, New York, as well as interim director of
Cornell's Minority Programs in Engineering from 2001 to
2003. She is currently serving a second term on the American Association for the Advancement of Science's national Committee on Opportunities in Science.
Dr. Athreya received her Ph D in experimental condensed matter physics from Iowa State University
in 1986. She has conducted postdoctoral research at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory and has served as a temporary assistant professor in the Department of Astronomy and Physics at Iowa State.
Nidhi Bhandari - Leadership Advisor
Nidhi was appointed as the leadership adviser for the Engineering Leadership Program on October 6th, 2008. As an adviser, the activities Nidhi is involved with include, coaching and facilitating leadership learning experiences , tracking progress in leadership learning projects pursued by every ELP scholar, reviewing proposals, and researching internship opportunities.
Nidhi has an MBA from Kansas State University, and an M.S. in Geology from India. Her past work experience with an NGO in India, gave her the experience to create and implement a community project. In this project she initiated an environment awareness program for middle school, and high school students. She conceptualized a lecture series on environmental issues and concerns and organized seminars to create awareness and raise concerns about the local environment. Her experience translates well in terms of advising and helping students at the Engineering Leadership Program, as they engage themselves in carrying out their leadership learning projects.
Mike Kalkhoff - Student Director
Mike is a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering. Mike has been involved in ELP as an associate director, a scholar, and as a peer mentor and looks forward to continuing this involvement as Student Director. In the upcoming year Mike is looking forward to getting more involved with Engineers Without Borders where he serves as Director of Fundraising and the Project lead of the Health/Medical Team. This involvement ties directly to his leadership learning project which focuses on improving health care in the developing world. Mike plans on continuing to participate in many intramural sports as well as working at the local hospital. After completing his undergraduate degree in May 2010, Mike plans on going to medical school.
Alex Black - Associate Director
Alex is a senior in Aerospace Engineering and is a member of the 2006 ELP cohort. During her time in ELP, she has served as the chief of business for the freshman service learning project, as a track leader, and is now excited to be an associate director. In her free time Alex enjoys sculpting ceramics, watching old movies, and reading. Within her major, she is interested in spacecraft and propulsion systems. After working for the Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, Alex is also planning to complete a minor in NDE. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue Master's and Doctoral degrees in Aerospace Engineering, as well as spend some time in industry.
Sam Eischeid - Associate Director, Year
2 Cohort
Samantha is a senior majoring in chemistry. She enjoys her involvement in ELP and helping others to become better leaders while at the same time being challenged by her peers to grow in this area. Apart from classes and ELP, Sam enjoys working as an undergraduate research assistant and mentoring a local child. Following her graduation, she hopes to find a position in an analytical chemistry lab that combines her passion for agriculture with chemistry.
Debanjan Ghosh - Associate Director
Debanjan is a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering and is a member of the 2008 cohort of ELP scholars. Throughout the next year Debanjan is looking forward to his role as an Associate Director in ELP and developing his leadership learning project. Debanjan is planning on continuing his research work in the Chemistry and Agricultural Engineering Departments as well as pursing an engineering internship opportunity. Also, Debanjan hopes to continue his participation in activities outside of academics, such as intramural sports and taking advantage of community service opportunities. After completing his undergraduate studies, Debanjan intends to pursue a graduate degree and work in academia.
Justin Knight - Associate Director
Justin is in his final year at Iowa State and
will serve as an Associate Director for the second consecutive year.
Justin has been involved in ELP as a scholar and maintains an
interest in the direction of the program. In the upcoming year, he
is looking forward to pursuing several remaining goals at Iowa State
as well as deciding what to do directly after graduation. Justin
will eventually attend law school and would like to stay involved in
public policy.
Elif Eda Miskioglu - Associate
Director, Year 1 Cohort
Elif Eda is a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in genetics. Elif Eda is looking forward to continuing with her Leadership Learning Project on Minds of Tomorrow by serving as the organization Co-chair. She will be remaining active in the Turkish Students Association, the committee on lectures and TEAM. This year, she will serve the ELP as the Associate Director of Year 1. After graduation in May 2010, Elif Eda hopes to combine chemical engineering with genetic disease research in graduate school.
Jessica Tobelmann - Associate Director,
Year 2 Cohort
Jessica is a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering. She is the General Co-chair for Engineers' Week 2009 and is also on the VEISHEA Executive Committee. In the past, she has also been involved with Homecoming, Frederiksen Court Community Council, and was a peer mentor for WiSE. This year, she is looking forward to further developing the 2008 cohort while continuing her work to improve her Leadership Learning Project, the Ada Hayden Scholars Program. Within Chemical Engineering, Jessica is interested in food science applications and has completed 2 summer internships with General Mills. After completing her undergraduate degree, Jessica plans on entering industry while continuing her education.
