Peer Advisors
The Peer Advisor program is a resource for all undergraduates in the College of Engineering. Peer Advisors are seniors from all of the majors who offer tailored guidance and advice to students throughout their time at the College - as they progress through coursework, seek involvement and leadership opportunities, and search for internship, co-op, and post-graduation opportunities.
The Peer Advisors work closely with the Engineering Student Success Team staff members in order to provide accurate information and advice about majors, course selections, general education courses, elective focus area (EFA) decisions, and policies and procedures at the College. Peer Advisors are also trained to provide feedback on resumes, cover letters, interviewing skills, LinkedIn, or using online systems for the internship and job search.
2023-2024 Peer Advisor Bios
Evan Johnson
Email: evan-m-johnson@uiowa.edu
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Focus Area: Biomechanics and Biomaterials
Hometown: Carpentersville, IL
Engineering Experience: R&D Engineering Intern with Medical Murray in North Barrington, IL (Summer 2024).
Involvement: Former Regional Chair and Current Brotherhood Co-Chair of Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity, Member of Biomedical Engineering Student Society (BMESS), BME Peer Advisor (2023-2024)
Fun Facts: I got my Associate Degree from Elgin Community College before transferring to Iowa in the Fall of 2022. In my free time, I run, play video games, enjoy rock and metal music, and learn piano.
Isabel Zayed
Email: isabel-zayed@uiowa.edu
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Focus Area: Biomechanics and Biomaterials, Pre-Health
Hometown: Lombard, IL
Engineering Experience: In 2022-2023, I was selected as the representative from UIowa for the Mentoring for Innovative Design Solutions Medical Device Design Program. I designed a pressure relieving cushion to aid wheelchair users. At UIowa, I worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory studying post-traumatic osteoarthritis in ankle and knee fractures using 3D modeling and programming.
Involvement: Society of Women Engineers Member (past roles: Treasurer, Conference Chair, First-Year Council), Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity (past roles: Rush-Pledge Co-Chair, Professional Development Co-Chair, Philanthropy and Fundraising Boards)
Fun Facts: I can recite 40 digits of pi and the entire alphabet backwards!
Cole Swanson
Email: ctswanson@uiowa.edu
Major: Biomedical and Electrical(Computer Track) Engineering
Focus Area: Bioimaging and Computation Bioengineering
Hometown: Green Bay, WI
Engineering Experience: This last summer I was a Digital Analyst Intern at Faith Technologies Inc. a medium/large energy solutions company in Wisconsin where I developed a Web Application and Web API using software languages like Php, React, and C# . Last summer I worked as a BIM Software Develpment Internship at Modern a small/medium piping company in cedar rapids where I created tools for Revit usingi it's API using C#.
Involvement: Currently I am the Regent of Theta Tau Omicron chapter and an Engineering Lead Tutor, Previously I was the President of Biomedical Engineering Student Society.
Fun Facts: I live in an old school house.
Elise Koltonowski
Email: elise-koltonowski@uiowa.edu
Major: Chemical Engineering, Minor: Computer Science
Focus Area: Computation, Data Science, & Machine Learning
Hometown: Plymouth, Minnesota
Engineering Experience: 2024 Summer Internship at General Electric Aerospace working on the General Machining and Fabrication Team to connect engineering and supply chain aspects of the business (Cincinnati). In summer 2023, worked at Northrop Grumman as a Technical Engineering Intern focused on Computer Science, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering projects (Oklahoma, City). My freshman year (2021-2022) worked as a Undergraduate Lab Associate on electrochemical process projects (Iowa City).
Involvement: President of the Society of Women Engineers (past roles: Vice President External, Secretary, First-Year Council), 22-24 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (Fluid Flow, Process Calculations, Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving), 22-24 Lead Student Ambassador, LEaPP course graduate, Tau Beta Pi general member, Omega Chi Epsilon general member (past roles: second year representative), Theta Tau early alum--professional engineering fraternity (past roles: Philanthropy Board), American Institute of Chemical Engineers member, CIMBA Study Aboard participant summer 2023.
Fun Facts: I've been paragliding and skydiving, the next thing on my list is parasailing!
Keagen Head
Email: keagen-head@uiowa.edu
Major: Civil Engineering
Focus Area: Tailored
Hometown: Durant, IA
Engineering Experience: I worked as a structures intern for Cornerstone Building Brands in Summer 2022 and as a transportation intern for the Iowa DOT in Summer 2023. This past summer I was a water resources intern with the Iowa Army Corps of Engineers.
Involvement: Treasurer for UIowa ASCE; 3rd year Army ROTC cadet; member of Tau Beta Pi; member of the Black and Gold Warrior Club.
Fun Facts: I once ate a Carolina Reaper in the Seamans Center… on purpose.
Sydney Parks
Email: sydney-parks@uiowa.edu
Major: Civil Engineering
Focus Area: Civil and Environmental Practice
Hometown: Mount Vernon, Iowa
Engineering Experience: Hunter Construction Civil Intern, Terracon Consultants Materials Intern
Involvement: I am the Outreach Chair for UIowa's ASCE Chapter, a member of the Concrete Canoe Team, assist with construction of the Corn Monument, and am a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women.
Fun Facts: I teach horseback riding lessons and I love fly fishing!
Cullen McDermott
Email: cullen-mcdermott@uiowa.edu
Major: Environmental Engineering
Focus Area: Environmental
Hometown: Bettendorf, IA
Engineering Experience: Went on the 2023-24 India Winterim course where we did well sampling to monitor effectiveness of hydraulic structures on water table replenishment. Assistant researcher in IWWERP laboratory (Iowa Wastewater and Waste to Energy Research Program).
Involvement: Current Vice Regent, former Brotherhood Chair of the Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity, "Mascot" Member of Iowa's WEF (Water Environmental Federation), A member of ASCE Chapter's Concrete Canoe team.
Fun Facts: I'm a twin (not identical), I visited Germany this summer, I have carried a 56.2 lb metal pig over a mile.
Sydney Williams
Email: sydney-williams@uiowa.edu
Major: Electrical Engineering
Focus Area: Custom (similar to Radio Frequency Electronics)
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA
Engineering Experience: Skyworks Solutions Design Engineer Intern (Summer 2024), IIHR Research Assistant (Summer 2023)
Involvement: NEXUS Artineers Secretary (2023-present), SWE General Member (2021-present)
Fun Facts: I am pursuing a Minor in Theatre Arts and have worked as a student electrician for the theatre department for 3 years!
Sophia Sladek
Email: sophia-sladek@uiowa.edu
Major: Industrial Engineering, Business Administration Minor
Focus Area: Management
Hometown: Frankfort, IL
Engineering Experience: Summer 2024 Internship at Necuo(Bollingbrook, IL) working with the product data and information team. Summer 2022 &2023 Internship at EQ office at the Willis Tower(Chicago, IL) working with the operations team.
Involvement: Vice President of Women in Business, Member of Society of Women Engineers, past member of Alpha Phi Sorority.
Fun Facts: My favorite movie is Despicable Me. I am an IHSA 8A State Champion for Cheerleading.
Brooke Scanlon
Email: brooke-scanlon@uiowa.edu
Major: Mechanical Engineering, minor in Mathematics
Focus Area: Robotics and Autonomation
Hometown: Evergreen Park, IL
Engineering Experience: Design Engineering CO-OP at Kinze Manufacturing Summer 23-Fall 23, Flight Software Development Intern at NASA Summer 24-Fall24.
Involvement: President (past role: Treasurer) of Iowa Baja Racing, Iowa Army National Guard
Fun Facts: I have an AA in Intelligence Operations Studies, and enjoy outdoor activities like snowmobiling, camping, and more!
Basil Saeed
Email: bsaeed@uiowa.edu
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Focus Area: Energy and Environment
Hometown: Iowa City, IA and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Engineering Experience: Application and Project Mechanical Engineer @ GE Vernova (Houston, TX)
Involvement: President of the National Society of Black Engineers (Previously Vice President) 21-Present, Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (Intro to Engineering Problem Solving, Electrical Circuits, Thermodynamics, Electric Drive Systems) 23-Present, Engineering DEI Council 23-Present. CIMBA Study Abroad Program Summer 2022
Fun Facts: I have played football (soccer) competitively in 7 different countries.