Meet the Team

Christian Darr is a graduate student pursing his Master of Business Administration. He received his undergrad in Computer Engineering in December 2023. He joined EcoCAR during his freshman year in the Fall of 2020, as a member of the CAV team, and in 2021 became the Sensor Fusion lead. His other experience includes software development internships at Intel and Reliable MicroSystems. 

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Nik Collins is a graduate student studying Mechanical Engineering and joined UA EcoCAR in 2020 as a member of the Propulsion Controls and Modeling team. He helped develop the Hardware-in-the-Loop

simulator before taking a research position with one of the team's local sponsors starting in the Fall of 2021. Outside of EcoCAR, Nik is also a part of the Crimson Car Club

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Kyle Scott is a senior and graduate student at The University of Alabama studying Mechanical Engineering. Kyle joined the SDI team in Spring 2024 as the SDI Lead in Year 2 of the EV Challenge and continues to serve in this role into Year 3. Prior to EcoCAR, Kyle served as an undergraduate researcher for UA, including the fabrication of Ray-Inspired Underwater Robot, studying Microspines and Soft Robot Topology, and worked on a ROS Based Basic Mobile Robot. 

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Sahuj Mehta is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Arts in Quantitative Economics. Sahuj is starting his 5th year on EcoCAR’s CAV team, which he joined as a freshman. In addition to EcoCAR, he is involved in Management Consulting Academy, SGA Judicial Board, and works for Eastside Partners, a Venture Capital fund. 

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Lisé Badeaux is a junior Public Relations and Communication Studies major involved in the Honors College for the Create Pathway to MBA. She joined EcoCAR in the 2nd year of the EV Challenge as the Associate Comms Manager and took over the role of Comms Manager in the Spring of 2024. In addition to EcoCAR, Lisé is also involved with Chi Omega, Public Relations Student Society of America, Alice Magazine, and the Capstone Agency.

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Lena Barrido is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration after receiving her undergrad in Chemistry. Lena joined the DEI team in Spring 2023 and took over as Equity in Mobility Lead in Year 2 of the EV Challenge. Lena has also served as the Vice President of Inclusion for Pi Beta Phi and the President of the Honors College at The University of Alabama. Lena has also interned at the Few Institute for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery as a Research Assistant. 

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Ben Fitzpatrick is a graduate student pursing his Master of Business Administration with an undergrad degree in Computer Science and Computer Engineering. He joined EcoCAR in Fall 2020 as a CAV team member and in 2021 became the V2X Lead. He took over the role of Engineering Manager in 2024. In addition to his time in EcoCAR, Ben has also worked as an Engineering Development Intern at MathWorks and a Battery Management Systems Intern at Our Next Energy. 

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Dr. Paul Puzinauskas

Dr.  Hwan-Sik Yoon

Professor Mike Pope