Committee Members

Staff

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I believe that each person brings something unique to our society because of our cultural differences. I serve on the DEI committee to help us see that those differences are more valuable than any education we can receive as they enrich our experiences and they bring a new perspective to situations we encounter.

mdianabusby@virginia.edu

Faculty

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I believe that we cannot solve our most pressing societal problems without broadly engaging with everyone that is impacted. I serve on the DEI committee to support diversity and equity in the research and education that we carry out as a department. 

andres@virginia.edu
 

Graduate Student

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Sadegh is a Ph.D. candidate in Engineering System & Environment who is a committee member looking for increasing diversity and inclusion in academia.

me2ts@virginia.edu

Faculty

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I am a Lecturer in the Department of Engineering Systems and Environment, teaching courses in structural mechanics, analysis, and design.  I want to do all that I can to provide a positive experience for all members of our ESE, SEAS, and University community.

jpg4k@virginia.edu

Faculty

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I am serving on the DEI committee to help cultivate and sustain a department culture that allows students, staff, and faculty, especially those from groups that have been underrepresented in engineering in the past, to flourish.

jlg7h@virginia.edu

Graduate Student

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I am a Phd student within the Engineering Systems and Environment department at UVa. I serve on the ESE DEI committee to fulfill the mission of the committee.

pih9nc@virginia.edu

Faculty

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I believe the more diverse and inclusive we are, the more we can learn from each other and formulate better solutions to address our societal problems. I am a member of the DEI committee to educate myself and others on ways to expand on this vision and create a more inclusive ESE community.

ah6rx@virginia.edu

Faculty

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I'm motivated to take away some of the systemic racism and sexism that is holding back engineering.

lk6m@virginia.edu

Graduate Student

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Natalie Lerma is a Doctoral Student in Prof. Jonathan Goodall's research group. Her work focuses on flood mitigation and management in coastal communities. She is currently working on a project about community perceptions of green infrastructure for stormwater management; this work also identifies what community engagement processes exist and their effectiveness, particularly for vulnerable communities. As a first-generation college student and Mexican-American, Natalie joined ESE's DEI Committee to help advocate for underrepresented minorities (URM) in STEM. She is interested in the DEI's commitment to recruiting and retaining URM while creating a safe and inclusive environment for them to thrive. 

nrl5fh@virginia.edu

Faculty

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I believe that diversity strengthens our department. Equity and inclusion are essential to achieve and sustain diversity. I serve on the DEI committee to help pursue DEI for ESE.

gel7f@virginia.edu

Graduate Student

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Everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their full potential regardless of their differences. For far too long higher education has excluded those with certain differences. I serve on the DEI committee to ensure those that have diverse backgrounds feel like they are valued, included, and have the support they need to thrive in the ESE department.

ccr9sc@virginia.edu

Faculty

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One of the core values of UVA Engineering is “Excellence through Diversity.”  I feel strongly that our department’s community must take action to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion at the university, in our school, and in our department.

briansmith@virginia.edu
 

Graduate Student

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The goal of a truly developed society can only be achieved with there being harmony and unity among the perspectives and diversity it holds. It is our responsibility and moral duty to uplift these values of unity and bring equality to the forefront. 

shravan@virginia.edu

Staff

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If we consider the broadest definition of the word “diversity,” every person is included in that definition—we are all unique, we are all special, and we all have different feelings of belonging in different settings, times, and places in our lives.  My goal is simply to have our students, leadership, faculty, and staff appropriately reflect our diverse population and have the best experience during their tenure at the University of Virginia.

smt7f@virginia.edu

Graduate Student

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As an undergraduate student and PhD Candidate at UVA, I understand the importance of DEI initiatives to both support students, faculty, and staff in their endeavors and provide avenues to be good neighbors in the Charlottesville community.