JOHN W. ESTEY OUTSTANDING PES SCHOLARS 2020-21
Region 1 – Seth Gillis – University of Massachusetts Lowell
Seth is a first time PES Scholarship recipient and Marine Corp Veteran who is expected to graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. His interest in engineering came from both his experience in the Marine Corp and from his Uncle’s influence. After separating from the Marines, he worked as a field technician servicing Variable Frequencey Drives and this experience is what inspired him to further his education to become an electrical engineer. He credits his strong desire to continue serving others in his community for his ultimate decision to pursue power & energy.
Region 2 – Mikayla Trost – York College of Pennsylvania (Renewal)
Mikayla is a repeat PES Scholar, who is expected to graduate in May 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Enginering with concentrations in power systems/electronics and communication networks/systems. She has a strong desire to help reduce our carbon footprint and wants to work towards renewable energy. She is a humanitarian at heart and wants to share her education with those less fortunate and aims to travel the world, learning from other cultures and bringing power to those without a reliable power grid.
Region 3 – Caroline Lee – University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Caroline is a frist time PES Scholar recpient who is expected to graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. For Caroline engineering is a family affair, following after her two older brothers. She was working with an internship on the Tennessee Valley Authority Transmission Project and plans on continuing with Graduate work after she graduates.
Region 4 – Thomas Nguyen – University of Wisconsin Madison (Renewal)
Thomas is a repeat PES Scholar, who is expected to graduate in May 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering. He is currently interning with the Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems. He plans to pursue graduate studies in power electronics and electric machines.
Region 5 – Mohd Abrar Rahman – Wichita State University
Mohd is a first time PES Scholar recipient who is expected to graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering wiht a concentration in Power & Energy. Already a PES volunteer, he volunteered at the 2019 North American Power Symposium, a PES Technically Co-Sponsored event. He began 2020 with a COOP opportunity at Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation as an Electrical Design Engineering Intern. He plans to continue his education with a Master’s degree in EE and a minor in Control Systems.
Region 6 – Shawn Shields – Boise State University
Shawn is a first time PES Scholar recipient who is expected to graduate in June 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Minor in Computer Science. He is currently interning an Electrical Engineering position with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in R&D in the Distribution Controls and Sensors department. He is a family man with two daughters also attending university. Shawn believes in life long learning and plans on pursuing a career in renewable energy.
Region 7 – Samia Sami – University of Saskatchewan
Samia is a first time PES Scholar recipient who is expected to graduate in June 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. She is interested in specializing in Power and Energy; and Circuit, Sensors, and Devices, to combine her passion for the environment and love of design and technology. She hopes to pursue a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and wants to focus on smart grid and energy storage systems. Already an active PES volunteer, she is the current chair of the University of Saskatchewan IEEE PES Student Branch Chapter.