Leah Crumbaker
Lead Systems, Safety Engineer
I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering Sciences and a minor in Applied Mathematics with a Scientific Computation Emphasis. In the past I've worked for Colorado Space Grant Consortium, ATK Launch Systems, and ATK Advanced Weapons. Currently I am the Vice President of the CU Society of Women Engineers. Besides school, I love to go running, hiking, snowboarding and anything involving the outdoors. I also love travelling and going out to sushi with friends.
Jason Farmer
Structures, Lead Fabrication Engineer
I am an undergraduate in the Aerospace Engineering program at CU and currently plan on pursuing a graduate degree here as well. I love anything that flies but have a special interest in hypersonic aircraft, and I hope to research hypersonic design with Professor Ryan Starkey during my graduate career. I am the structures and fabrication lead because I have a ton of experience working in the machine shop and using CAD software to create mechanical solutions to various problems. I am very excited by the structural and mechanical challenge the deployment mechanism presents and I am looking forward to working with the MADS team this year. I have worked at Colorado Space Grant, ARINC Aircraft Services in Colorado Springs, and have conducted research with Professor Starkey as well. I love biking, hiking, the outdoors, playing guitar, and am a total music nerd. I have been involved with this team since the beginning. GO MADS!
James Gordon
Software
I, too, am an Aerospace Engineer here at CU, but as the only computer science minor on the team, I have high hopes for how advanced we can make the software technology in this project. Since the inception of this team, I've been planning on incorporating neural nets and A* search algorithms, along with other advanced probablistic learning techniques into our MUAs hardware. No, not really, but that would be fun. Outside of school I work for Kubotek USA developing CAD/model-comparison software and through them, work as a contractor to Gulfstream. I also enjoy listening to vinyls and spending time with my dog.
Avionics/Electronics
I am the illustrious Controls/Avionics/Electronics Technical Lead for MADS. I've been helping to develop the MADS project concept for over a year now with this group. I'm stoked to be with them. I am a BS/MS student at CU and my MS concentration is Vehicle Systems - Controls and Systems. I also do mission operations and ground segment data systems work for the CU Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP). Time is a precious commodity in my life, as it is with everyone else on the team...but making some time just to sit down, have a good beer, and listen to The Band is always a possibility.
Jeff Mullen
Aerodynamics, Lead Test Engineer
I'm the Aerodynamics Lead/Lead Test Engineer/IT Specialist for the team. I'm a BS/MS student with a concentration in Vehicle Systems - Controls and Systems. I initiated the idea for this project back in the Spring of 2007, and over the course of the following year we pulled together an awesome team! Over the past summer, I worked for the Aerospace Department creating labs, running CFD simulations, and designing controllers for the school's wind tunnel. Pretty much if it flies and it’s cool, I'm interested! I have worked on a lot of software teams and know how to collaborate on a project. I presently work for Suhaka Consulting and the start-up company Chalk Talk, LLC. Outside of the classroom and office, I'm an adrenaline junkie and will jump out of or fly off of anything (with a parachute on my back, of course). In general, with the sparse free time I have, I like to relax and have fun.
Travis Schafhausen
Project Manager
Having seen this team and project develop nearly from the start, I'm really excited to have the chance to head it up as PM this year. I'm a CU Aerospace student in the BS/MS program with an emphasis on Vehicle Systems - Controls and a minor in Electrical Engineering. Over the past couple of summers I've interned at Boeing Commercial Aircraft and as a contractor for the Air Force Research Labs. During the school year I work in Prof. Palo's Meteor Radar Research Group in CCAR. Outside of school I'm an avid skier and racquetball player, and I love to travel, cook, and enjoy time well spent with friends.
Scott Tatum
Mechanics/Deployment, Chief Financial Officer
I am the Mechanics and Deployment Lead as well as the CFO, so I control the paychecks….if only we were paid. I am pursuing a double degree in Aerospace Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics. I was the final member to join this team, and although I was not involved in the project idea development, I am very excited to be part of MADS and have many ideas to bring to the table. Last summer, I worked for Coaxial Analysts drafting cable TV maps in AutoCAD. In my free time I love to get outside and play sports--my sophomore year, I was a member of the CU Club Baseball team and still love to play when I have time. I also enjoy hiking, skiing, riding my bike, and if the weather isn't great, playing a few video games.
SV Design, Webmaster
I am a BS/MS student with a concentration in Vehicle Systems - Aerodynamics. I am also pursuing a minor in Applied Mathematics - Scientific Computation Emphasis. Aside from student life, I am the President of the CU Society Women of Engineers, and also work as a Course Assistant for a freshman-level Aerospace Engineering Projects course. Unfortunately for my budget, I’ve recently acquired a strong addiction to flying, and am in the process of acquiring my private pilot’s license--something that was instigated by my time as an intern at Cessna Aircraft Company in Summer 2008. In my spare time, I work at a pottery studio and enjoy the outdoors and mountains.