Our Race Crew
Meet the Team
These 21 members of our team were selected to build, test, and race our newest vehicle across the Australian Outback in October 2023. Composed of mechanical, electrical, strategy, business, communications, and operations members, this Race Crew will compete with Astrum in the world’s most prestigious solar vehicle competition: the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
Will Jones
Race Manager
Mechanical Engineering | Class of 2024
Okemos, MI
Will’s dedication to solar cars goes beyond the University of Michigan team; it is his unwavering passion. After starting the Okemos Solar Racing Club in high school, he joined the University of Michigan team during his freshman year of college. However, he soon left to work on “The Cannonball Sun,” his personal project to build and drive a solar car from New Your City to Los Angeles. Two years later, Will rejoined the team with a renewed sense of purpose: To assemble an exceptional group of individuals and construct the best solar car on the planet to compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. This fall, he’s looking forward to connecting with other teams to share his passion about solar cars and stargazing in the Australian Outback. Outside of the Solar Car Team, he likes to read for fun and ride his bicycle. After the race, he will return to school and is hoping to start his profession as a mechanical design engineer.
Nate Gustafson
Crew Chief & Manufacturing Director
Mechanical Engineering | Class of 2025
Cassopolis, Michigan
Nate joined the team because he was looking for the excitement of having an engineering challenge outside of the classroom. His favorite things he worked on while on the team were the projects that allowed him to work closely with industry professionals or other engineering teams. The parts that fascinate him the most about these projects are the multidisciplinary aspects, including chassis packaging designs, aerobody split line designs and crosswind stability. He is looking forward to being at the finish line and being the best solar car team in the world. During his free time, he likes to play tennis, ski and hike, along with spending time with his beloved dogs. After the race, he is planning to be outside of the classroom for a while as he travels around the world to broaden his perspectives.
Elijah Buell
Project Coordinator & Operations Director
Industrial and Operations Engineering | Class of 2023
Ortonville, MI
Elijah seized the chance to become a member of the team when he was introduced to the idea of being the best in the world. On the team, he assumes pivotal responsibilities in maintaining sponsor relations, coordinating team operations, and providing essential support to his teammates. In Australia, he is excited to meet individuals from other teams to see what they do differently. Also, he is anticipating finally crossing the finish line as a whole team after enduring a demanding race. During his leisure time away from solar car endeavors, he enjoys being outdoors and going to the gym. After the race, he plans to explore New Zealand and Vietnam to appreciate their beautiful, uncontaminated natural environments.
Adam Jankelowitz
Business Director
Economics | Class of 2025
Riverwoods, IL
Adam was motivated to join the University of Michigan Solar Car Team after catching a glimpse of the team’s 14th car, Novum, in the Car and Driver magazine by chance. Throughout his tenure, he has dedicated himself to various aspects of the team’s business operations, such as spearheading fundraising efforts, nurturing sponsor relations, and managing team finances. Even outside of the Solar Car Team, Adam enjoys following trends in the automotive industry. After the race, he is planning to finish his undergraduate studies in economics at the University of Michigan.
Terry Li
Lead Vehicle Engineer
Electrical Engineering | Class of 2023
Hudson, OH
Terry’s passion for the project is unmistakable, evident through his participation in three Race Crews over the span of three years. During his tenure with the team, Terry played a pivotal role in Aevum’s design, manufacturing, and cross-country journey as the 2022 Engineering Director and Crew Chief. He then returned to lead Astrum’s design and optimization as the 2023 Engineering Director, and push the limits of the team, technology, and car at every opportunity available. As he embarks on his final opportunity to be a world champion, Terry is eager to harness his experience to propel the team to an unprecedented level of excellence. In the time he spends outside of Solar Car, he enjoys indoor free flight and badminton. After the race, he plans on exploring the world before beginning a career in the aerospace industry.
Joey Harrington
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineering | Class of 2024
Pittsburgh, PA
Joey’s three years with the team has been a testament to his versatility and commitment. Throughout his tenure, he has assumed various positions including Race Mechanical Engineer, Suspension Lead, Project Manager, and Vehicle Dynamics Lead. Notably, Joey played a pivotal role in leading the team during its transition out of the COVID pandemic and is proud of the strides the team has taken since then. Over the past two semesters, Joey worked on Astrum’s vehicle dynamics, striving to keep the car stable and safe. He looks forward to seeing other teams and their cars in Australia. He enjoys biking, playing soccer, and reading in his free time.
Ethan Lei
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineering | Class of 2025
Scarsdale, NY
Ethan’s initial attraction to the team stemmed from the fiercely competitive environment of the World Solar Challenge, coupled with his deep interest in renewable energy. After driving Aevum across the United States during the 2022 Michigan Sun Run, he is excited to return to Race Crew. During the past two semesters, he worked to optimize Astrum’s manufacturing process and can’t wait to witness the culmination of the team’s efforts materialize into a tangible solar car once again. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing sports such as basketball, soccer, and tennis and also musical instruments including piano, clarinet and tenor saxophone. After the race, he is planning to return to school and finish his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering.
Mingyao Tao
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineering | Class of 2025
Beijing, China
To Minyao, there is no greater thrill than the opportunity to participate in conceiving, designing, optimizing, manufacturing, and racing a solar car. Enthralled by this prospect, Mingyao joined the team and designed a compact front suspension system that fit into an unconventionally small space in his first two semesters. Furthermore, Mingyao has played a significant role in Astrum’s mechanical systems and assembly. Beyond the Solar Car Team, he enjoys playing with Computer-Aided Design (CAD), tweaking laptops, cycling and cooking. After the race, he is eager to relax at home.
Ian Bakker
High Voltage Engineer
Electrical Engineering | Class of 2026
Grand Rapids, MI
Ian joined the team as a first-year student, drawn in by the unique engineering challenges of a solar powered vehicle. He spent most of his time with the team designing, improving, and assembling the battery and high voltage systems. Joining the Solar Car Team has enabled him to get hands-on experience with complex electrical systems for the first time. He is looking forward to learning more about how the array, motors, and mechanical systems work together to make a world class car. Outside of the Solar Car Team, he likes to cook and play chess. After the race, he is planning to expand his electrical knowledge, particularly in the areas of energy generation, storage, and transmission.
Jack Getty
Microsystems Engineer
Electrical Engineering | Class of 2023
Saline, MI
Jack found the team while looking for the best engineering project on campus and decided to join the microsystems division. This year, he worked on redesigning the car’s battery management system (BMS), which is one of its most complex boards. Jack appreciates the multidisciplinary nature of the Solar Car Team, and enjoys learning about how other engineering fields operate. He is excited to build the car and bring it to Australia for the race, as he enjoys the competitive nature of solar car racing and the hard work needed to compete. In his free time, Jack likes to play card games and spend time outdoors. He recently completed his BSE in electrical engineering and is thrilled to use this knowledge to build a successful car.
Leo Intelisano
Microsystems Engineer
Computer Engineering | Class of 2026
Brooklyn, NY
As a high school student, Leo stumbled upon the University of Michigan Solar Car Team while preparing his college application. On the team, he spent his time almost entirely working on building firmware for the microsystems team. The opportunity to apply classroom concepts to real life firmware-designing has taught him about programming in a more applicable setting. For this race crew, he is excited to be with people who share similar goals and see how far the team can go. He is anticipating traveling around Australia after catching up on sleep.
Taylor Kessinger
Microsystems Engineer
Electrical Engineering | Class of 2024
New Albany, IN
Taylor’s first day on the team happened to be the same day the 2019 Race Crew returned from Australia with Electrum. Upon seeing two of the team’s past cars in person, he was instantly in awe of the fact that a group of college students could design and build a vehicle that drives across the Australian Outback powered only by the sun. More recently, he led the development of Astrum’s electrical systems as the 2023 Electrical Lead. As a member of Race Crew, he dabbles in various electrical areas, from bringing up microsystems boards to testing the motors and working on the battery charge algorithm. Outside of the Solar Car Team, he is passionate about learning new languages. After the race, he will return to campus and complete his degree in electrical engineering.
Ian Stewart
Microsystems Engineer
Electrical & Computer Engineering | Graduate Class of 2023
Gross Ile, MI
Ian recently graduated with his master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering after five years with the team. Despite his disinterest in cars, he was captivated by the team's exceptional work ethic and earned a spot on the 2019 Race Crew, where he led the design of the low-voltage systems for the team's 15th car, Electrum, and took 3rd place in the World Solar Challenge. He's very excited to take the experience he's gained since his first race and put it towards building and racing Astrum, which he hopes will achieve even greater success. Outside of Solar Car, Ian enjoys biking, hiking, rowing, reading, playing video games, and is also a semi-professional mafia player.
Ronak Parikh
Weather Strategist & Array Engineer
Undecided | Class of 2026
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Ronak came to the University of Michigan to join the best solar car team in North America. He became inspired when the 2019 Race Crew members Zach Piper and Ian Stewart came to his high school with Electrum. During his time on this team, he has developed optimization software and learned to use a variety of electrical tools. He looks forward to installing Astrum’s array, and acting as the team’s Weather Strategist in the Outback. Besides the Solar Car Team, he also has a passion for running. After the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, he is eager to return to Ann Arbor and prepare for the next competition.
Matthew Anderson
Strategist
Mathematics | Class of 2026
Greenwood Village, CO
Matthew’s motto is “it’s a race.” To him, there is nothing more enticing than the simplicity of the challenge to go the fastest. This year, he works as a strategist to model the solar car and optimize its design. He is extremely passionate about optimizing the solar car’s efficiency to its fullest extent. Yet, more than anything, Matthew loves collaborating with his equally-dedicated teammates. When not working on Astrum, he restores a 1977 Honda motorcycle, studies pure math, and kayaks. After the race, he will return to the University of Michigan to learn more math and try to make the team’s 2025 car even better.
Shourya Bansal
Strategist
Computer Science | Class of 2026
Livingston, New Jersey
To Shourya, paving the way to the future serves as his driving force. Demonstrating the efficacy of solar energy is a complex problem with numerous values at play, each one adding another complex factor. And for Shourya, coming up with solutions to this “unsolvable” problem feels natural. Along with his passion for problem-solving, he was also drawn in by the company of some of the brightest individuals he ever met. To him, Race Crew has taken the idea of “you learn something new every day” to the next level. Intense work with enthusiastic people is exactly where he wants to be. Away from the Solar Car Team and coding, he has passions for photography, drawing, reading, and writing. He can’t wait to travel around the world, cook, and discover new things.
Bonnie Zhu
Head Marketing Specialist
Communication & Media | Class of 2023
West Bloomfield, MI
Bonnie joined the team during the pandemic because she wanted to try something new after being stuck in quarantine. As one of the pioneers of the communications division, she revitalized the team’s digital presence, worked on recruitment efforts, and developed the team’s marketing potential throughout her 2.5 years as a member. This fall, she is excited to tell the team’s remarkable story and show the world their journey to race a world class solar car. She also can’t wait to document it in as many photos as possible. When she is free, she likes to draw, watch documentaries, and explore new restaurants. Once the race is over, she plans to begin her career in marketing.
Min Kwon
Marketing Specialist
Economics | Class of 2024
Seoul, South Korea
Min joined the team with an interest in the operations and management of a big project team run by a group of passionate students. After starting as a member of the operations division, she became the team’s videographer to improve digital content. Some of her favorite tasks she has worked on as a member of the team include creating behind-the-scenes videos and participating in the hands-on manufacturing process of the car. She is passionate about capturing the team’s journey to Australia on camera and is looking forward to learning about engineering basics along the way. When she is away from the Solar Car Team, she enjoys writing and translating. Once the race is over, she will be missing all the graduating Race Crew members.
Bobak Eizadkhah
Aerodynamics Engineer
Aerospace Engineering | Class of 2025
Ypsilanti, MI
Bobak decided to join the team three semesters ago when he was presented with the chance to do high level engineering work on one of the best solar car teams in the world. As a member of the aerodynamics subteam, he worked on Astrum’s unique nose design, which was one of the team’s biggest breakthroughs during the design process. He is looking forward to competing in Australia with the world’s top engineering teams. When he is away from the Solar Car Team, he enjoys working out and playing soccer and volleyball. He will return to school and finish his undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering after finishing the race.
Chris Gray
Race Operations Specialist
Economics | Class of 2024
McLean, VA
Although Chris had heard about the Solar Car Team and had seen their solar cars, he did not know what the team was about until he met a friend who motivated him to join and participate in the race. Once he joined the team, he worked on renovating the interior of the shipping container and installing its electrical system. He is looking forward to seeing the car come together, becoming a moving vehicle, and competing with it in Australia. He is also a big car enthusiast and a big hockey fan. After the race is over, he will be traveling around Australia and returning to Ann Arbor to complete his undergraduate studies.
Nga Chi (Angie) Leong
Race Software Engineer & Manufacturing Specialist
Computer Science | Class of 2026
Macau S.A.R.
Angie has always been interested in practical projects and sustainable energy. Among all other available projects, she chose to join the strategy division of the Solar Car Team when she saw how passionate the team was. Along with that, she found out that there is a lot more to offer other than mere software engineering, and the team provided a good learning environment for her to thrive. On the team, she worked on manufacturing the car with extreme levels of precision. She is especially curious about all of the different challenges that would come up in the race. In her free time, she enjoys following K-Pop culture, playing saxophone, and fencing. After the race, she will return home and get ready for a new semester to start.