Warrior Racing students look forward to North American International Auto Show and the future of automotive

Adam Niner, mechanical engineering senior

What are you most looking forward to seeing at NAIAS this year?

I'm looking forward to the new concept cars and Tesla's new models.

What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry?

Better fuel economy in high-performance vehicles.

How did you become interested in automotive engineering or FSAE?

I became interested while working with my older cousin on a Formula Baja SAE project.

What do you hope to do with your engineering degree from Wayne State?

I hope to be able to choose from a wide range of job opportunities with my degree from WSU.

Chris Abbod, electrical engineering junior

What are you most looking forward to seeing at NAIAS this year?

I am always interested in the new concept cars that come out. I like to see what direction the designers and engineers are taking things.

What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry?

I am really interested in seeing the advances being made in autonomous vehicles. It seems that the next big push is going in that direction and I would like to be involved.

How did you become interested in automotive engineering or FSAE?

I had a friend who was part of FSAE, and I decided to join when he told me of all the amazing work that the team does. Employers love the hands-on experience.

What do you hope to do with your engineering degree from Wayne State?

I hope to get a job that will allow me to be creative and learn as much as I can about electrical and computer engineering. Helping to make progress with autonomous vehicles would be an amazing career opportunity.

Jeff Meng, mechanical engineering graduate student

What are you most looking forward to seeing at NAIAS this year?

Brand new Chevy heavy duties. I also like being surprised by other new makes and models.

What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry?

I love reading about electric vehicles and technology, such as drive by wire, brake by wire and steer by wire.

How did you become interested in automotive engineering or FSAE?

I have always loved cars. Joining Formula was something I wanted to do and I'm glad Wayne had a team to join.

What do you hope to do with your engineering degree from Wayne State?
I hope to get an engineering job that I love and I can support my future family with.

Kristina Vujic, economics doctoral student

What are you most looking forward to seeing at NAIAS this year?

I am looking forward to seeing the cars, of course, but I also look forward to seeing the displays of the other Formula teams that will be there.

What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry?

Advancements in electric vehicles, more fuel efficient cars, and "cleaner" cars.

How did you become interested in automotive engineering or FSAE?

I joined FSAE as a math/economics undergrad who wanted to do something fun in my free time. When I continued my graduate work, I decided to stay on the team and was elected president. I've always had an interest in cars, and FSAE has fueled my interest into a passion.

What do you hope to do with your degree from Wayne State?

I am not currently pursuing an engineering degree, but I wish I had for my undergrad degree. As an economics Ph.D. student, I hope I can do research in the field of health economics for either a government agency or in the private sector.

Mohammed Kakli, mechanical engineering senior

What are you most looking forward to seeing at NAIAS this year?

There are a few concept cars, as well as cars nearing production that will be unveiled at this year's auto show, such as the new Impreza WRX STI, the next Lexus "F" car, Acura TLX (which will be replacing the current car I am driving), and many others.

What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry?

There is a trend that most cars are becoming electric driven. Although that is fun and exciting, I think the best part about the future of the automotive industry is that companies are incorporating different materials and creating different combinations of materials to make lighter, stronger cars.

How did you become interested in automotive engineering or FSAE?

I have jumped around a few universities before coming back to Wayne State. I became aware of FSAE during my time at Trine University, and when I came back to Michigan it was one of the first things on my list. I have been involved with repairing automobiles and motorcycles since I was 8 years old, and the passion has grown ever since. A racecar powered by a motorcycle that a group young engineers have endless creativity to make - that sounds like home to me.

What do you hope to do with your engineering degree from Wayne State?

I plan on going into the automotive industry and calibrating engines, which is exactly what FSAE has allowed me to do. I get to work with powerful engine management systems and use the knowledge gained from several of my engineering classes to try and get the most out of an engine.

Richard Collier Le Page, mechanical engineering senior

What are you most looking forward to seeing at NAIAS this year?

Mostly the new vehicles from the automakers for 2015z.

What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry?

The new technology being used in these vehicles.

How did you become interested in automotive engineering or FSAE?

I have been a car guy since I was young, so it was natural for me.

What do you hope to do with your engineering degree from Wayne State?

Work for one of the Big Three most likely.

Ryan Scott, biomedical engineering senior

What are you most looking forward to seeing at the NAIAS this year?

The new concept cars and the new types of navigational systems, displays, and vehicle features.

What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry?

New advancements in electric-drive vehicles and more powerful cars.

How did you become interested in automotive engineering or FSAE?

I joined FSAE because I saw it as a great opportunity to design, manufacture, test and get feedback on a part. Working on a team to get a real project done gives you a sort of real-world experience without leaving the school.

What do you hope to do with your engineering degree from Wayne State?

I hope to continue on for graduate studies in electrical engineering. I am unsure of what industry I want to work in; however, I know that I want to learn more.

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Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution of higher education offering 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 28,000 students. For more information about engineering at Wayne State University, visit engineering.wayne.edu.