Levi Lentz – Ima Fellow

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Energy Interest Area           

I am currently researching the surface effects on solar energy conversion in hybrid photovoltaic devices. The end goal of the research is to develop a predictive model to determine new and novel materials that can be used in highly efficient solar devices.

 

Current Career Objective  

I plan on completing a PhD at MIT in the energy sciences. I will use my knowledge to advance the knowledge of energy generation to create a more efficient future.  

 

Education                

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY                                                                 Cambridge, MA, USA

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, expected June 2014

Adviser: Dr. Alexie Kolpak

Research Area: Computational material design for advanced hybrid-photovoltaic materials

 

San Diego State University                                                                                                            San Diego, CA, USA

Bachelor of Science with Honors and Distinction in Mechanical Engineering, May 2012       

Student participant in several energy related student organizations, including ASHRAE and USGBC. Worked as a volunteer researcher in the Solar Energy and Combustion Laboratory for three years. In addition to the energy-related classes required for the degree, completed Solar Engineering and Combustion Engineering.

 

Professional Experience     

Precision Engine Controls Corporation (Dec 2011-Aug 2012)                                            San Diego, CA, USA

Manufacturing Intern: Responsible for production management including redesigning management programs to track production efficiency. The program redesign led to a 100% improvement in operator use time.

 

San Diego State University (June 2008 – Dec 2011 )                                                             San Diego, CA, USA

Domain Administrator: Responsible for management of a network of 2000 computers; designed server-side programs to manage the large network. These programs led to a decrease in computer and network downtime.

 

Leadership

                  CO-CHAIR, Last Lecture Series (2010-2012)

Planned, coordinated, and executed two Last Lecture Series to allow a professor to give his last lecture.

                  Worked with the University President, Dr. Stephen Weber, to plan his last lecture before retirement.

                  Increased attendance year over year by over 25%.

 

                  VOLUNTEER RESEARCHER, Solar Energy and Combustion Laboratory at SDSU (2009-2012)

                  Redesigned a flame channel to model microgravity flame propagation on a NASA-funded study

                  Worked with diverse engineers to analyze Combustion and Solar Energy phenomena.

                                   

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR, Mortar Board (2011-2012)

Organized the chapter to select the next class of forty Mortar Board members, pursuant to the standards of the organization.

Narrowed the application pool from approximately one hundred applications to the forty accepted candidates.

 

 

 

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE, University Honors Program (2009-2012)

Worked on a team of non-engineers to plan and organize events for the four hundred student members to meet the social and academic needs of the organizations.  

 

PRESIDENT, Tau Beta Pi (2010 – 2011)

Coordinated a diverse group of engineering students to meet the standards of the society

Sparked a renewed interest in the Honor Society that caused a 100% increase in the number of initiated members.

 

STUDENT ASSISTANT, C-Programming (2009-2012)

Designed an interface and distribution solution for students to practice the code required for the class.

Revamped the coursework to increase student participation in the course.

 

Awards and Honors                                

á       Energy Initiative Fellowship, MIT (2012)

á       Henry L. Janssen Award, SDSU (2012)

á       Valedictorian of Engineering Class, SDSU (2012)

á       Phi Beta Kappa, SDSU (2012)

á       Homecoming King, SDSU (2011)

á       Mortar Board, SDSU (2011)

á       Golden Key, SDSU (2010)

á       Italian Machine Tool Design Award (2010)

á       University of Michigan Travel Grant (2009)

á       Tau Beta Pi, SDSU (2009)

á       Phi Kappa Phi, SDSU (2009)

á       Phi Eta Sigma, SDSU (2008)

á       Valedictorian, Escondido Charter High School (2008)

 

Activities                 

NCAA Sports Fan (SDSUÕs Student Section: The Show), Cycling, Snowboarding, Surfing, Web Design, Mechanical Design

 

Personal Background

Year of Birth:  1989

Nationality:  USA, California