Feature Stories 2025: Alexis Medeiros '25: A real engineer

Before coming to UMass Dartmouth, Alexis Medeiros '25 wasn't sure college was for her. She had a wealth of hands-on experience; Medeiros was working at Accudynamics LLC. as a machinist by the time she graduated from high school. But she knew there was more to learn.  

Four years later, Medeiros has discovered a love for research and a supportive community of people who share her passions. The challenges and opportunities at UMassD, she says, have turned her into "a real engineer." 

What made you want to be an engineer? 

"I went to Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Fall River. I almost left because I thought there was nothing for me there, but then I took a class in advanced manufacturing, and became obsessed.  Seeing a project through from raw stock to blueprint to building and troubleshooting the final product was fun for me. I got a job at New England Electropolishing in quality control before I even had my driver's license and shortly after, I became a CNC machinist at Accudynamics LLC. at 17. I wasn't sure college was for me, but I quickly realized how much more there was for me to learn."   

Why UMassD? 

"The top factors for me were the location and the reputation of the engineering programs. The labs and curriculum here are unmatched in this area."      

What do you like most about UMassD?  

"I love the community here. Even as a commuter, I feel I've gotten the full college experience. You have to put in some time to become involved but it's so worth it.  Through volunteering and student orgs, I've built my network and support system. I wouldn't have the great friends I have now if I hadn't taken these opportunities."  

Tell us about your experience as part of a research team 

"Working in the Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) Lab with Dr. Banafsheh Seyed-Aghazadeh has been a great experience. I would never have known I love research until I tried it. Doing research allows me to apply my academic knowledge to real problems.  

"In the FSI Lab, we study interactions between fluid flow and structures, with applications in offshore energy. My project is testing the free-surface proximity effects on flow-induced vibrations of a flexible circular cylinder.  When I joined the lab, I was paired with a PhD student who supervised me, but I also had autonomy in designing, manufacturing, building, and testing the components of the project.  

"Dr. Seyed-Aghazadeh is very supportive, but she also has high expectations. Working with her made me strive to do more than I thought I could. It's turned me into a real engineer.  

"Now, we are working on a paper we plan to submit for publication, and I had the opportunity to present my work at the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. It's really rewarding to present my work to fellow engineers. I feel very grateful." 

How has UMass Dartmouth prepared you for your future?  

"I already had some foundational knowledge and hands-on experience coming from a technical high school, but UMass Dartmouth transformed that knowledge to a level I didn't expect.  

"I found myself referring to my homework assignments at my internship at Cornell Dubilier, a power capacitor manufacturer in New Bedford. Through the internship, I'm applying things I've learned in class, but I'm also learning lots of new things. I knew almost nothing about capacitors until now, but I hit the ground running from day one.  

"The senior design capstone project has also been a great experience.  My team and I are working on a low-speed water tunnel facility in Dr. Hangjian Ling's lab. We're the only all-female senior design team in mechanical engineering right now.  It's a blessing to be able to work with close friends, and we've had a blast working on this project." 

What advice do you have for current or future UMassD Students?  

"Put yourself out there, whether that means getting involved with organizations or emailing an instructor to say, 'I'd like to work in your lab.' You don't have to be the top student in your class to get these opportunities, you just have to be willing to put yourself out there.  

"I also think it's important to have things outside of school to help you avoid burnout. I'm close with my family, love spending time with my cats, and enjoy checking out the local coffee shops in this area. Pink Bean in Somerset is my favorite spot!" 

What are your plans after graduation?   

"I plan to continue working in industry and to one day get a master's degree in engineering management. I love what I do, and I'm happy anywhere there's something for me to learn." 

"Dr. Seyed-Aghazadeh is very supportive, but she also has high expectations. Working with her made me strive to do more than I thought I could. It's turned me into a real engineer."