Oh, the People You'll Know: Sathvik Sanagala

10/6/2018 Amanda Maher

Written by Amanda Maher

Sathvik Sanagala.
Sathvik Sanagala.

Sathvik was introduced to the idea of becoming an engineer when he worked on a research project at Brown University one summer while he was still in high school. He worked with graduate students on a high-speed research camera with the main goal to get a higher frame-per-second rate. They wanted 625 pixels in a 25x25 frame, which they thought would be impossible. Sathvik was happy to do the impossible, making a schematic first on drafting paper, and then a 2D CAD model. He came back to work in research a second time with the optimization of forming of lithium cobalt oxide films. His interest in this drove him to a STEM career, and he felt that studying mechanical engineering would give him a good technical foundation. He found that he fell in love with the discipline. He plans to continue pursuing his interest in research with Professor Harley Johnson analyzing moiré patterns in 2D materials. 

Sathvik did not hesitate to keep himself busy in between pursuing his research interest. He joined ASME as a freshman because he liked the sense of community that it formed. “I love how the MechSE community is close-knit and friendly; MEL is always popping,” he says. He attended ASME’s Student Affairs Committee Freshman Conference, and decided that this committee would be a great one to be a part of and served as a member for his first two years, and as the Vice President this year. He plans to offer each of his team members opportunities to organize and run their own technical development event. 

Before serving as the Vice President of Student Affairs, in his second year, Sathvik was the director of ASME’s social committee. He attended more social events ASME hosted, and enjoyed the atmosphere. He served as the captain of the math team in high school, but he insists it didn’t count as an executive position, so he was excited to pursue a leadership position in college, and felt this prepared him to become Vice President of Student Affairs. 

Over the past two summers Sathvik had some incredible internships, first working at Prince Castle and then Rolls Royce. At Prince Castle, he learned how to make thermocouples and how to use them to test the product he worked on. He worked on a project to improve the process of monitoring and processing food in holding bins. He also participated in a taste test for Burger King, where he tasted 2-hour-old burgers that he did not enjoy. But fret not, he also participated in French toast stick taste-testing day, and said that day was amazing. (He brought his own syrup.) 

During his time at Rolls Royce, he shifted between projects. He worked on a project making a fuel pump for a Honda jet, and eventually assumed a larger position in a project to find different ways to use materials for 3D printers. 

Sathvik’s interest in 3D printing began before this summer. He proudly claims that he always gives the second-best gifts during secret Santa, two years ago modeling and printing two Pokémon for his brother, and last year making a raster graphic picture for his cousin. He is currently a volunteer at the Innovation Studio in MEL. 

Sathvik is also an Engineering Learning Assistant. He believes he has amazing students, and was incredibly happy when he heard one student telling another that his class was very helpful as he had a very kind ELA his freshman year, and wanted to pass that good experience on to the new incoming class. In addition to all of this, he likes to play basketball and ping pong, and is developing an interest in Rubik’s cubes. His empathy and great technical knowledge make him a tremendous learning assistant, leader, volunteer, and will make him excel at any role he chooses to take on next.

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This story was published October 6, 2018.