College of Engineering News • Iowa State University

ABE Alum Spotlight: Emily DeJesu – conserving water, starting at ISU

Emily DeJesu graduated from Iowa State University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Systems Engineering (BSE). DeJesu grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and had a connection to Iowa State through her dad, with Iowa State being her dad’s alma mater. She always had a passion for the environment, math, and science which made BSE at ISU an easy educational choice.

ABE Alum Spotlight: Austin Lamphier – finding a passion for leadership and technology, starting at ISU  

Austin Lamphier graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology (ITec) in 2018. Originally from Center Point, Iowa, Lamphier had always connected with technology and engineering, which led him to apply to ISU.

Josh Peschel receives NSF CAREER Award for Foundational Interaction Research Manipulating Drones

Throughout much of his career, Peschel has been doing the groundwork of defining questions and answers related to human-robot interaction with drones. This project is the culmination of knowledge and testing he has done so far, and it provides an opportunity to define and build implementable solutions for specific drone use cases in the future.

ABE Alum Spotlight: Sarah Sievertsen – writing for engineers, starting at ISU

Sarah Sievertsen graduated from Iowa State University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Systems Technology (AST). Originally from northwest Alabama, Sievertsen had a passion for manure management and air quality in high school. She now works for GEA North America as a technical writer.

ABE Alum Spotlight: Jacob Bickett – engineering professionalism, starting at ISU

Jacob Bickett graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering in the fall of 2020. He grew up in north central Illinois, farming row crops with his family. Combining his love for agriculture and knack for mathematics and mechanics, Bickett was bound for a career in agricultural engineering.  

ABE Alum Spotlight: Willow Griffith – innovating with precision, starting at ISU

Willow Griffith graduated from Iowa State University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture systems technology (AST). Now at the Climate LLC as a product manager, she has combined her love for agriculture and innovation to find a career she is passionate about.

ABE Alum Spotlight: Matt Haas – engineering for the farmers, starting at ISU  

Matt Haas graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering in 2023. Growing up on a farm in rural Illinois, Haas had a passion for Legos, agriculture, and hands-on work.  

Welcoming ABE’s new advisor: Aaron Leppert 

The Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) is excited to welcome Aaron Leppert to the department as the new Agricultural Engineering advisor. With a background in chemistry and secondary education, Aaron is extremely passionate about guiding students through their time at Iowa State.

ABE Alum Spotlight: Brady Nahkala – building a career preserving our water resources, starting at ISU

Brady Nahkala is a two-time alum of Iowa State University and a Water Resources Project Engineer at Bolton & Menk, Inc. Growing up in Minnesota, Nahkala had a love for lakes, rivers, and spending time in nature. Combining his love for the outdoors and affinity for math, he attended Iowa State to study Biological Systems Engineering.

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