Joe Ritter, one of the team's fearless leaders has guided the team through 13 glorious years of building and raycing- all that while having 5 kids of his own. He studied at University of Illinois for his undergraduate education, and went on to University of Delaware where he acheived his Ph.D in chemical engineering and a master's degree in computer science. He has worked on developing AI systems, as a process control engineer and an operations engineer. In addition to advising the solar car team, he is the Director of the Engineering Science program, and teaches Chemistry. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, and the Order of the Engineer.
Steve Shedd
Field of Study: Computer Science
The unofficial team photographer, Steve Shedd, is another faculty advisor. He is an assistant professor of Computer Science, and enjoys taking Abroad programs to the sunny state of Hawaii. His life before Principia included several years as president of a computer training and consulting company, through which he taught classes to businesses throughout North America. He has served as a consultant for a variety of businesses and organizations, including the state of Rhode Island. He is a member of the Data Processing Management Association, the Open Systems Data Base Association and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
John Broere
Field of Study: Computer Science
John is a Principia graduate and Solar Car veteran who has returned as a computer science instructor and faculty advisor during his time as a visiting faculty member at the College. John's chuckle can always be heard in the shop as he works and jokes with the team. His leadership has been fundamental in the completion of Ra 7. He loves motorcycles, and rides his around whenever he has the opportunity. He is invaluable in his extensive knowledge of the entire car, and his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with the rest of the team. He has helped build all of Principia's solar cars since Ra II and has gone on two other races.
Andy Berner
Field of Study: Mathematics/ Weather
Hailing from the Saint Louis area, this engineering powerhouse is bringing his insight to the team to build our best car yet. Andy has graced the Principia Solar Car Team with his dedicated participation for the past six years and has raced in Greece, Australia, and past North American Rayces. Andy is a recent graduate of Principia and has been working as an instructor in the math department for the past year and a half. When he's not tweaking CAD files on the computer or sanding down the car's body, he's out flying planes using his private pilot's license. In the Fall, Andy will begin his graduate studies at Washington University.
Karen Davis
Field of Study: English/ Philosophy
A former Solar Car project manager and experienced raycer, Karen is returning for an encore rayce across the continent this summer to document the team's progress through a series of e-mails available to the public (to subscribe to these e-mails, click here). Karen graduated from Principia College in 2007 with undergraduate degrees in English and Philosophy and taught a couple philosophy courses at Principia in the 2007-2008 school year. She brings a sense of light-heartedness to the team as well as a drive to get things done.
Makenna Reeves
Field of Study: Physics/ Mathematics
Makenna, from St. Joseph, Michigan just graduated from Principia in June with a double major in math and physics, but is still a devoted member of the solar car team. Having been a part of the team since her freshman year at the college, she has helped build several cars, traveled all over the world for rayces, and has been the leader of the body team. On her excursions out of the Science Center, she plays cello in the orchestra and loves to swing dance. In the coming months and years, she is going to start a graduate program at the University of Washington to get her Ph.D. in Geophysics.
Asa Williams
Field of Study: Computer Science
From the far reaches of Duxbury, MA comes Asa Williams, telemetrist extraordinaire, courageously leading the telemetry team in establishing the communication lines between the solar car and the rest of the team. He just graduated with a degree in Computer Science. When he has the opportunity, he is into waterskiing, sailing, kitesurfing, and beach-bumming. For more than the past year, he has been working for Northrop Grumman as a systems analyst. Now that he is graduated, he is moving to a town near Seattle, WA. He grew up with a giant cowardly lion of a cat named Pumpkin.
David Crabill
Field of Study: Computer Science
From Woodbridge, California comes David Crabill. He is a resident of the Science Center, majoring in Computer Science with a business minor. He devotes much of his life to solar car, working on the body and the mechanical teams and building the website. He is willing to do whatever needs to be done, this recently including the design and creation of parts for the steering system. In the summer of 2007 David went on an abroad to Mongolia and China, where he studied the cashmere industry and its environmental impact. Some of his interests include puzzles, golf, tennis, fishing and seeing the natural areas of the world.
Tom Brownell
Field of Study: Business
This jovial electrical team leader from Oregon brings a creative spark to the team. He is always quick to crack a joke and lighten the team's mood. Tom is majoring in Business and is entering his Senior year here at Principia College. A veteran raycer, his solar career includes racing in Taiwan in the Fall of 2006 and redesigning and constructing the car's electrical systems. Tom also plays the bass in Principia's orchestra and jazz band and is very active on campus.
Peter Chaney
Field of Study: Chemistry
Peter recently returned from a hiatus from the team, but over the past quarter has launched into the car-building process with great enthusiasm and dedication to become an integral part of the team. This chemistry major from the Lonestar state is entering his final year at Principia. He has served on his house board as the New Student Head, and worked as a TA for the chemistry department. Peter has yet to decide what he wants to do after college, but definitely wants to continue in chemistry, maybe working at Principia for the chemistry department. On the team, he has worked in the machine shop for a previous car, Ra 6, and is now principally working on the body team, although his talents extend in many directions.
Laura Warsinsky
Field of Study: Physics
Laura loves rollercoasters. This makes a lot of sense, as she was raised with her younger brother near Cleveland, Ohio, within an easy distance from Cedar Point. She joined the solar car team when she was a freshman and has played a variety of roles, including being part of the body, mechanical and business teams. Laura recently graduated with a major in physics and minors in math and chemistry, and plans on going to the University of Minnesota to get her Materials Science Engineering degree. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys jetskiing, snowboarding, skiing, hiking- any means of exploring and experiencing the world around her.
Jasmine Linck
Field of Study: Global Perspectives/ Mathematics
Jasmine is from Cincinnati, Ohio. She has an older brother and grew up several cats and the "best dog ever". She joined the team in the middle of her freshman year, and has has loved it ever since. After a brief stint with the mechanical team, she found her place in the body team, where she has remained ever since. She is a senior Global Perspectives major with a math minor. She loves to travel around the country and around the world, and just got back from spending Spring Quarter on the abroad in China. Otherwise, she enjoys dancing, singing, reading, kayaking, and making jewelry.
Randy Wirahadi
Field of Study: Computer Science/ Mathematics
Coming in from the other side of the world, Indonesia, Randy is an active member of the telemetry team, working on a number of projects. One of these includes the driver display, which shows the driver of the car information about the speed, energy consumption, and related points. He enjoys football, especially watching the Chicago Bears, and is joining the Principia Football team in the fall. He joined the solar car team during his sophomore year, and has been an energetic part of the team ever since.
Justin Sinichko
Field of Study: Biology
From Burke, Virginia, near Washington DC comes a man of many talents and an amazing sense of balance. This is Justin's first Solar Car Rayce and second year on the team. He is studying Biology and is entering his Junior year at Principia. He is also an avid cross-country runner and a budding unicyclist. Needless to say, this guy knows a lot about speed. Justin is a dedicated worker on the team and has designed and manufactured the car's new high-tech steering wheel as well as several other components.
Katie Farquhar
Field of Study: Computer Science
From the rolling planes of Kansas, Katie comes to the team with a drive for success. As the car rolls along, Katie keeps the team moving with it as head of the business team, spearheading fundraising, registration, logistics, and so much more. This is her second year on the Solar Car team and her first rayce. On campus, Katie is majoring in computer science, taken part in Model United Nations, and helped run the anuual Principia Public Affairs Conference among other things. As Katie moves foward into her Junior year at Principia, she is looking foward to her adventures yet to come.
Mark Evans
Field of Study: Physics/ Religion
Mark Evans is a speed demon from Daytona Beach, Florida, where he grew up with his older brother, Tom (former Principia Raycer). He's recently returned from 2 months studying in China on the Principia Abroad, where he studied the popular opinion of the Chinese space program. On the solar car team, he is an active member of the body team, but is willing to take on any task that he is offered. He is currently a junior at Prin, majoring in Physics with a minor in religion. In the time he can spare from school work, he enjoys computer graphics, doodling robotic pandas, and playing both trombone and piano (although not at the same time). Mark is also a member of the Principia Jazz Band and orchestra.
Pathik Bollaidlaw
Field of Study: Physics
This brilliant young mechanic from the state of Maryland is lending his ingenuity to the team for NASC 2008. Pathik has served the team for two years and this is his first rayce. In the shop, Pathik is meticulous, precise, and very clever, occasionally even fashioning his own tools to better accomplish his projects. Pathik majors in Physics, with an interest in math (which could become a second major), and is entering his third year at Principia. He enjoys finding construction sites, talking to workers, and gaining an understanding of how everything involved works.
Brian Kamusinga
Field of Study: Engineering Science/ Chemistry
Born in Kenya, but lived in England for the past 6 years, this young engineer brings a lot to the table. With a cheery attitude, Brian will take on almost any task and has a well-rounded knowledge of almost everything going on in the shop. This is his first year on the team and is excited for his first rayce. Brian is entering his second year at Principia, majoring in Engineering Science and a possible second major in Chemistry, with the ultimate intention of becoming a chemical engineer.
Matt Shaw
Field of Study: Business
The illustrious former president of Buck House is half of the electrical team, working with Tom Brownell. He just graduated with a major in Business Administration. He is dividing his first post-graduation summer between working on the solar car, and training to become an Admissions Counselor for Principia. His steady hands and enjoyment of life bring a much appreciated element of relaxation to the team. He has a great reservoir of creativity which he is not shy to implement, and with it he enlivens the lives of those around him. While Matt is not actually travelling with the team on the race, he was essential in getting the car ready to go during Scrutineering in Texas.
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