2023 Kessler Fellows

Kieran Barr
Environment & Sustainability

Kieran is interning at Airmo, a space research and technology company that develops satellites to measure emissions.   

"Through the Kessler Fellowship, I hope to expand my knowledge and my passion with a group of people that want to help reduce the impacts of any adverse environmental catalysts."

Giorgi Berndt
Arts and Sciences

Giorgi is interning at Akrobotix, a software development company that makes perception, guidance, navigation and control software for robotic systems.  

"My goal is to learn how startups get from the ideation / pre-seed stage to scaling and actually becoming an established business. What are the biggest lessons that the founders learned and what were the most useful things that they learned along the way to create a viable product."

Charlie Bierden
Mechanical Engineering

Charlie is interning at T-omega Wind, a technology company that is redesigning offshore wind turbines.  

"I hope to learn how to turn a good engineering or physics idea into a tangible business. We learn a lot of technical skills in school which can give people good ways to change the world and I hope to learn how to bring them into reality."

Evelyn Chiu
Mechanical Engineering

Evelyn is interning at Collectif Engineering PLLC, a consulting firm that specializes in the design and engineering of construction projects.  

"With global warming prevalent, developing environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions is vital. I’m determined to contribute to its development, marketing, and implementation. Working at a startup would enable me to become part of a team with a large impact, allowing me to tackle this problem with more of my voice."

Liv Cramer
International Agriculture and Rural Development

Liv is interning at Afriponics, a farming company that aims to become the leading provider of hydroponically produced crops in Maseru, Lesotho.  

"I want to learn more about the ways we can harness business and technology to create a better world."

Shirin Dinasan
Applied Economics and Management

Shirin is interning at Shef, Inc., a consumer services company that gives certified cooks a platform to connect with local customers and sell homemade dishes.

"The Kessler Fellows program provides undergrad students with an unparalleled risk-free way to explore entrepreneurship. I am most excited to join a community of like-minded students and alumni who share a similar entrepreneurial spirit and passion. "

Erhunmwunse Eghafona
Mechanical Engineering

Erhunmwunse is interning at Andromeda, a robotics company that is building social companion robots.  

"I want to summer experience that's filled with learning, both in the field that I'm interested in which is robotics, and also about the inner functions of an actual startup."

Gabriel Ewig
Mechanical Engineering

Gabriel is interning at BlocPower, a renewable energy company that provides upgrades to buildings and homes with energy-efficient, electric technology and appliances.  

"Through Kessler, I hope to take an interdisciplinary approach to addressing environmental issues, and gain experience considering the social, political, and economic factors that are critical to the success of these solutions."

Zuhair Joyoa
Industrial and Labor Relations

Zuhair is interning at Hoken Holdings, a travel company that provides a platform to book in-demand hotel rooms near popular events.  

"I hope being a Kessler Fellow allows me to get a better understanding of my career path and what kinds of jobs I enjoy doing. The potential to explore a variety of managerial as well as operational tasks is high in an entrepreneurial environment."

Phyllis Ju
Information Science

Phyllis is interning at Castbox, a company that distributes free podcasts and produces its own shows.   

"I hope to clarify and solidify my interest in entrepreneurship, build connections with people from different industries and startups, and learn about skills and knowledge that can prepare me for innovating in the future."

Jay Jung
Information Science

"I look forward to being in a constant state of learning as I immerse myself in a community of ambitious and creative doers from diverse backgrounds with equally diverse interests."

Kate Kim
Information Science

Kate is interning at Grabango, a software development company that provides checkout-free technology for large-scale store chains.  

"As a Kessler Fellow, I hope to get closer to actualizing my goal of starting my own venture and be part of a community of passionate entrepreneurial-minded students."

Katie Lee
Enviromental Engineering

Katie is interning at Ebb Carbon, a technology company that is creating a new carbon removal solution that enhances the ocean’s natural ability to capture and store carbon dioxide.  

"I hope to be a member of a community full of individuals with diverse skill sets and experience, where I can contribute my own and also learn from others. This experience can provide me with the skills and confidence to venture beyond this summer and into years ahead.

Esha Pisipati
Biological Sciences

"As a Kessler Fellow, I have the unique ability to not only understand how a business functions but more importantly how it developed. I hope to develop the tools to cultivate an idea and nuture it so it can create impactful change. "

Tomer Poole-Dayan
Applied Economics and Management

Tomer is interning at AgriCapture, an environmental services company that certifies Climate-Friendly practices on farms, ranchlands and grasslands.  

"I hope to better understand the skills possessed by successful entrepreneurs through direct interaction with the executive leadership of a startup. These skills will be necessary on my path to transforming my ideas and passions into a reality of creating my own entrepreneurial venture in the future. "

Emma Shen
Information Science

Emma is interning at Terra Quantum Inc., a quantum technology company that provides customers with an extensive library of algorithms.

"I am someone who has always had an inherent itch to create within voids. Whenever I identify a problem, a missing piece in my life and community, my brain immediately begins to ideate. I am very passionate about building products and communities that inspire people."

Mark Tarazi
Mechanical Engineering

Mark is interning at Wayland Additive Limited, a manufacturing company that makes electron beam 3D printing machines.  

"I hope the Kessler Fellowship will teach me the entrepreneurial skills while building on my strengths as an engineer to launch my own startup that could alleviate the hardships of others."

Yiming Wang
Computer Science & Sociology 

Yiming is interning at Vlogmi Corporation, a social media platform that aims to create a healthier, more positive space on the internet.  

"First-hand experiences. Not something you could learn by sitting in a classroom, but the chance to speak and work with entrepreneurs who have dedicated their resources and commitment to the startup they cultivated."

David Yun
Human Ecology, Policy Analysis and Management

"I seek to be in a community of like-minded students that are passionate about entrepreneurship."