Fellow:Sabrina Hammell

My name is Sabrina Hammell and I am a senior engineering student at JMU in Harrisonburg, VA. I chose to explore engineering because I was always passionate about the environment and I thought that having the skills of an engineer would allow me to make a lasting impact on the world around me. I started to gain experience in the field of alternative energy by participating in undergraduate research in electric vehicles. This project was my first encounter with working on a team and allowed me to gain technical skills in electrical engineering and develop my leadership skills as the Vice President of the EAA club.

To further my knowledge in alternative energy, I participated in a capstone project that involved creating a small scale wind turbine for the Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition. As a participant in this project, I continued to work on electrical systems and developed my knowledge in mechanical engineering by creating an axial flux generator for the turbine with assistance from my team. This capstone project challenged me to work with on a large team with a common goal and further developed my understanding of system integration.

In my spare time, I enjoy outdoor activities including any and all sports participation, hiking at Shenandoah National Park, and kayaking. I also like to be creative and develop my art skills by painting, sculpting, and drawing. I find that a good balance between my professional life and participation in my hobbies allows me to get the most out of my education at JMU.