Meet our students

Meet our Undergraduate Students

Lili Strong

Portrait of Lili Strong

Lili Strong

Hey there, I'm Lili, and I'm a 3B Mechatronics Engineering student.

Over the past few years at Waterloo, I've had the chance to be involved in various design teams and work as an Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA). Beyond academics, I love participating in intramural sports, including basketball, flag football, and inner-tube water polo!

Why did you choose Waterloo Engineering?

I chose Waterloo Engineering for its co-op program, which has given me the opportunity to explore different industries and career paths. Through my previous co-ops, I’ve worked in aerospace, marine research, construction and even government roles! Mechatronics, in particular, stood out to me because of its interdisciplinary nature, allowing me to gain experience in mechanical, software, and electrical engineering. This was especially important for me since I had limited exposure to engineering before university and wanted the flexibility to explore different fields.

What has been your favorite part of the program so far?

My favorite part of the program has been the hands-on learning opportunities through design teams and URAs. Last summer, as part of the Waterloo Space Soldering Team, I competed in a microgravity experiment competition with the Canadian Space Agency, where we tested our design on a parabolic flight! Through this team, I also got to contribute to outreach programs for Women in Engineering at Waterloo.

Additionally, my URA experience has been incredibly rewarding—I’ve been working alongside master’s students on human-robot interaction projects, which has been an eye-opening experience into research.

Favourite co-op experience so far?

Out of my co-op terms, two experiences have been particularly impactful:

1. Harvard Microrobotics Lab – I worked as an Electrical Engineering Intern on whale tag design for Project CETI, an initiative to decode sperm whale communication. My work involved antenna design, bringing up whale tag electronics, and testing them using pressure tanks and robotic arms before deployment in Dominica. It was an incredible experience to contribute to such a unique project!

2. PV Labs – I spent two co-ops at PV Labs, a company specializing in aerospace gimbal design. I had the opportunity to design a production-level circuit board for their next generation of products, which was an amazing learning experience as an intern!

Advice for incoming first-year students?

Be open to new opportunities and explore what excites you! There are so many ways to grow at Waterloo—whether through design teams, research positions, or clubs. If you put yourself out there, you’ll meet amazing people and have some unforgettable experiences.

Alex Mitchell

Portrait of Alex Mitchell

Alex Mitchell

Hi everyone, I'm Alex, and I am a 2A Mechanical Engineering student who loves to explore and learn about all things design!

I've been actively involved in the Waterloo Engineering Society (EngSoc), serving as both a director and a commissioner, where I’ve helped organize events and support student initiatives. I've also been a member of multiple design teams, gaining hands-on experience in engineering projects and collaboration. Currently, I'm working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA) in materials engineering!

Why did you choose Waterloo Engineering?

I've always been interested in creating designs and turning whiteboard ideas into reality. Engineering gives me the opportunity to bring concepts to life, and Waterloo provides the perfect environment to do that. It's one of the most creative and dynamic occupations, and the university offers an incredible number of resources to explore and innovate. On top of that, Waterloo attracts some of the most brilliant minds in the world, creating an inspiring and collaborative atmosphere that constantly pushes me to grow.

What has been your favourite part of the program so far?

My favorite part of the program has been the hands-on learning experiences. Being able to apply what I learn rather than just reading about it makes everything so much more engaging. I also appreciate that the program focuses on understanding the "whys" and "how's" behind concepts rather than just memorization, which makes the knowledge more meaningful and useful in real-world applications. On top of that, having access to machine shops and design bays has been incredible. It allows me to work on projects, experiment with ideas, and gain practical experience that goes beyond textbooks.

Favourite co-op experience so far?

My favorite co-op experience was working at a small windows and doors factory where they gave students full creative liberty. It was empowering to be trusted to implement designs and improve processes rather than just assisting with minor tasks. That level of responsibility made me feel like I was actually working as an engineer, not just an intern. More than anything, this experience solidified that engineering is the right career path for me. Seeing my ideas come to life in a real production environment was incredibly rewarding.

Advice for incoming first-year students?

One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give is to not let imposter syndrome hold you back. Everyone feels it at some point, but the key is to focus on improving just 1% every day. Small, consistent progress adds up over time. University can be challenging, but it's also one of the best experiences of your life. Take the time to explore different opportunities, meet new people, and challenge yourself. You’ll grow in ways you never expected!

Eidan Erlich

Portrait of Eidan Erlich

Eidan Erlich

Hi, I'm Eidan, a Mechatronics student here at the University of Waterloo!

I am passionate about my field of study, and Waterloo Engineering has given me various chances to get involved in design teams, travel to new places, conduct research, and overall learn as much as I can in my field.  

Why did you choose Waterloo Engineering?

I’ve always strived for excellence, so when it came time to choose a university, Waterloo Engineering stood out. As Canada’s top-ranked engineering school, it offered the perfect environment to challenge myself and grow. But what truly set it apart was its co-op program, the largest in the country, providing hands-on work experience while I study. Mechatronics Engineering was the obvious choice for me, blending my passions for software, electrical, and mechanical engineering into one incredible program. Waterloo wasn’t just the best choice for me, it was the perfect fit.

What has been your favourite part of the program so far?

Student Design Teams! Nowhere else would I find such a brilliant, driven, and passionate group of students working together to push the limits of technology. Leading MIT-PITT-RW Autonomous Racing has been an incredible experience, where else do you get to develop a fully autonomous Indy race car and compete on legendary tracks across the US and Europe? From Las Vegas and Indianapolis to England and the iconic Temple of Speed in Monza, leading this team has been a privilege. It’s been the perfect blend of innovation, collaboration, and pure adrenaline.

Favourite co-op experience?

Hands down, my time in Hamburg, Germany, working with the Hamburg University of Technology and Airbus. But beyond the incredible engineering work, it was the adventures across Europe that made it unforgettable. Picture this: dancing until sunrise instead of paying for an extra night in a hostel, then hopping on a train across the country to hike a mountain and dive into freezing glacial waters—only to be back at work, fresh (or trying to be), by 9:00 AM on Monday. It was a wild ride of adventure, last-minute plans, and pushing my limits. Stories I’ll be telling for years!

Advice for incoming first-year students?

Effort in, results out! The more you put in, the more you’ll get out—whether it’s classes, research, or student teams. Getting involved in clubs is hands-down the best way to make friends and work on amazing projects (you might even get to travel the world while you're at it!). Dive in, commit to what excites you, and you’ll come out with skills, experiences, and memories that make university truly unforgettable.

Waterloo Space Soldering Team inside plane
Friday, August 9, 2024

Student design team wins microgravity competition

A group of undergraduate students studying mechanical and mechatronics engineering with the help of students in Systems Design Engineering and Arts recently participated in the Canadian Reduced Gravity Experiment Design Challenge (CAN-RGX). They presented their research at the Canadian Space Agency headquarters in Longueuil, Quebec, and won the Overall Excellence Award.

Department Chair, and Associate Chair, Undergraduate studies, pose pose with 2 of the 3 awardees
Monday, June 17, 2024

Students win distinguished Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering Gold Medal

Three outstanding graduating students have won the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME) Gold Medal. This award recognizes students who have achieved outstanding academic achievement. We were pleased to honour this award to Matthew Krmpotic on the undergraduate level, Kyra Wanuch on the master’s level, and Run Ze Gao on the doctoral level.  Keep reading to find out what some of our newly-minted alumni had to say about their award win.