
the team

Team Celsius is a group of multi-disciplinary engineering students with a passion for high-performance buildings. Each member of the team brings their own experience and skills to the team, crafting a group of designers that continuously seek to raise the "design standard".
about us

Andrew Kirsch
Structural
Andrew will graduate in May 2021 with an Integrated Bachelor and Master of Architectural Engineering with a focus in Structures. Throughout his time at Penn State, Andrew has been active in the Student Society of Architectural Engineering (SSAE), Structural Engineering Association (SEA), and Tetra Titans THON Org. Andrew completed internships at Mulhern+Kulp in Ambler, PA in the summers of 2017-2019 and at LERA in New York City in the summer of 2020. Upon graduation, Andrew looks forward to starting full time at Bala Consulting Engineers in King of Prussia, PA.

Blaise Waligun
Structural
Blaise will graduate in May 2021 with an Integrated Bachelor and Master of Architectural Engineering with a focus in Structures. At Penn State, Blaise has been active in several organizations including Race to Zero/Solar Decathlon Design Challenge and Comp + Design = PSU. He was also president of the Penn State Structural Engineers Association (SEA). Blaise completed internships at Reuther+Bowen in Scranton, PA and TLC Engineering Solutions in Orlando, FL. Post graduation, Blaise will joining Simpson Gumpertz & Heger with their Design Team in Boston, MA.

Alyx Oakley
Construction
Alyx will graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelors of Architectural Engineering with a focus in Construction Management along with a Minor in Sociology. Throughout her time at Penn State, Alyx assisted in research within the Mechanical Department under Dr. Gregory Pavlak and held internships with Burdette, Kohler, Murphy and Associates in Baltimore, MD during the summers of 2019 and 2020. Upon graduation, Alyx will begin a full time position with Balfour Beatty Construction in Washington D.C. as a Project Engineer.

Chris Mikec
Construction
Chris will graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelors of Architectural Engineering with a focus in Construction Management. Throughout his time at Penn State, Chris has held internships with Lighthouse Electric in Pittsburgh, PA during the summers of 2017 and 2020 and with DPR Construction in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the summers of 2018-2019. While in those internships, Chris was able to experience IPD and Design Assist projects in varying markets and through multiple perspectives. Upon graduation, Chris looks forward to starting full time at Lighthouse Electric in Richmond, VA on a large scale mission critical project.

Alex Brown
Mechanical
Alex will graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Architectural Engineering with a focus in Mechanical. During her time at Penn State she was involved in THON, Student Society of Architectural Engineering (SSAE), and was president of Penn State’s Student Chapter of ASHRAE for the 2020-2021 school year. Previously, Alex had internships at James Posey Associates in Baltimore, MD and Alexander Building Construction in Harrisburg, PA. Additionally, Alex was involved in research at Penn State under Professor Dr. Julian Wang during the summer of 2020. After graduation, Alex will start full time as an HVAC Engineer at BR+A Consulting Engineers in their Boston, MA office.

Sydney McClellan
Mechanical
Sydney will graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelors of Architectural Engineering with a focus in Mechanical. Throughout her time at Penn State, Sydney was involved in THON, Student Society of Architectural Engineering (SSAE), and was Treasurer of Penn State's Student Chapter of ASHRAE for the 2020-2021 school year. Previously, Sydney has held internships with BR+A Consulting Engineers in Boston, MA during the summers of 2019-2020. Upon graduation, she will continue working at BR+A and start full time as an HVAC Engineer in their Boston office.

Mike Haftl
Construction
Mike will graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelors of Architectural Engineering with a focus in Construction Management along with a Minor in Business. Throughout his time at Penn State, Mike has held internships with Holder Construction Company in Bridgeport, AL during the summer of 2019 and with Bozzuto Construction Company in Ashburn, VA during the summer of 2018. While in those internships, Mike was able to experience largescale mission critical projects. These time sensitive projects allowed for a greater understanding in project management. Upon graduation, Mike looks forward to starting full time at Holder Construction Company in State College, PA on a high end art museum.

Sam Komber
Lighting/Electrical
Sam will graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Architectural Engineering with a focus in Lighting and Electrical Design, along with a minor in Psychological Science. During her time at Penn State she was involved in Habitat for Humanity and was President of Penn State’s Illuminating Engineering Society's (IES) Student Chapter for the 2020-2021 academic year. Previously, Sam has interned at Schuler Shook in Chicago, IL since May 2019. After graduation, Sam will start full time as a Lighting Designer at Schuler Shook in their Chicago, IL office.

Luke Sorber
Lighting/Electrical
Luke will graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Architectural Engineering with a focus on Lighting and Electrical systems design. Throughout his time at Penn State, Luke served as the Public Relations Chair for the Illuminating Engineering Society Student Chapter for the 2019-2020 school year. The following year, he served as the Vice President of the same club. Previously, Luke has held internships with Fisher Marantz Stone in New York, New York and HGA Architects & Engineers in Minneapolis, MN. Upon graduation, he will continue working at HGA and start full time as a Lighting Designer in their Minneapolis headquarters.

John Sloane
Lighting/Electrical
John will graduate in May 2021 with an Integrated Bachelor and Master of Architectural Engineering with a focus in Lighting/Electrical Systems. During John’s time at Penn State, he has been involved with the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate, designing and building affordable housing across the country. John has worked across the lighting design field, interning with Focal Point Lights (Chicago, IL), SmithGroup (Detroit, MI), and Lam Partners (Cambridge, MA). Upon graduation, John will begin a full time position with Buro Happold in New York City as a Lighting Designer.