Alumni Round Table for Black History Month

Panelists: (top) Jeremy Brown, Keith Cooley, Wayne Lester, Ryan Moody. (bottom) Lauren Sinclair, Amber Spears, David Tarver

About the Event

This year as part of Black History Month, join us in celebrating the stories, experiences, and accomplishments of some of our Distinguished Black Alumni through a Virtual Round Table. Alec D. Gallimore, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering, will kick-off the event and we will introduce our special alumni guests. After the introductions, you will join breakout rooms with alumni to learn about their journey and have the opportunity to converse. It will be a fun night of engagement and connection.

Joining details will be sent to all RSVP participants two days before the event. 

RSVP Here

Alumni  Panelists:

Dr. Jeremy Brown

Dr. Brown earned his B.S. from Morehouse College as well as his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently the John C. Malone Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His work explores the interface between humans and robotics, with a specific focus on medical applications and haptic feedback. Brown’s team in his Haptics and Medical Robotics (HAMR) lab uses methods from human perception, motor control, neurophysiology, and biomechanics to study the human perception of touch, especially as it relates to applications of human-robot interaction and collaboration. Elements of HAMR’s research could lead to breakthroughs in additional fields, including rehabilitation robotics.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdelaine/

Keith Cooley

Mr. Cooley earned his B.S. in Engineering Physics and a B.S. in Nuclear Physics from the University of Michigan. Mr. Cooley is a seasoned coach and results-oriented executive as well as a proven leader in highly competitive business, nonprofit, and public sector settings. He has experience running both large (4,000 employees/$1.3B budget) and small (20 employees/$10M budget) organizations. He led a coalition between the University of Michigan and nationally known non-profit, Focus: HOPE that developed groundbreaking technical training for urban minorities. He is currently the President and CEO of Principia, LLC.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithwcooley/

Wayne Lester

Mr. Lester earned his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and is M.S. in Space Engineering from the University of Michigan. Mr. Lester currently works as a Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman on HALO, the Habitation and Logistics Outpost module for NASA’s proposed Lunar Gateway which will serve as an exploration outpost for lunar missions.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wrlester/

Ryan Moody

Ms. Moody earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering and her M.E. in Energy Systems from the University of Michigan. Ms. Moody currently works as an Operations Engineering for Shell Hydrogen, helping ensure the safe and stable operations of the first-ever hydrogen truck refueling stations in North America at one of the world’s largest freight hubs (the Port of Los Angeles). She also serves as the National President of Shell’s New Professionals Network (>1000 members across 13 U.S. sites), setting vision and direction for the organization, managing the national budget, tracking KPIs, and ensuring alignment with business targets set by the Shell’s Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs).

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanelizabethmoody/

Lauren (Fladger) Sinclair

Mrs. (Fladger) Sinclair earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan as well as her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School. She is currently the Principal Program Lead, Service and Hospitability at Chick-fil-A Corporate.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenfladger/

Amber Spears

Ms. Spears earned her B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan. She also earned a thesis-based MSE in Civil (Geotechnical) Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and has conducted geotechnical field investigations at The Oak Ridge National Lab, Y-12 National Security Complex, and The Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant.Ms. Spears currently works as a Project Engineer at CTI and Associates, Inc. and is currently conducting geotechnical field investigations at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-spears-b399ba52/

David Tarver

Mr. Traver earned his B.S. and M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan. Mr. Tarver currently serves as the Founder and President of Urban Entrepreneurship Initiative. The Urban Entrepreneurship Initiative facilitates the creation of sustainable business solutions to important urban problems. We produce tangible benefits for current and aspiring entrepreneurs, business development and education organizations, and entire communities.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtarver/