Staff
Stephanie Ott-Monsivais serves as the Director of Undergraduate Programs for the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a dedicated instructor and mentor, committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive academic community where all students are empowered to succeed. Through her efforts in community building and student-centered initiatives, she works to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Passionate about curriculum development, outreach, and advancing engineering education, she continually strives to enrich the student learning experience and promote engagement across the department. Her excellence in teaching and advising has been widely recognized. She has appeared on the List of Instructors Ranked as Excellent a dozen times and on the Engineering Council’s Outstanding Advisors List five times. She was honored with MechSE Staff Awards for Exemplary Service in 2021 and 2024, named a Kay Kappes Golden Shamrock in 2022, received the Excellence in Undergraduate Advising Campus Award in 2023, and was selected as a participant in the Emerging Women Leaders Forum for the 2024–2025 academic year.
Elif Ertekin is an Associate Professor, Andersen Faculty Scholar, and Director of Mechanics Programs for the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering. She focuses on using computation, modeling, and simulation to develop a microscopic understanding of atomic and electronic scale processes in materials, with applications in thermal transport, energy conversion, and defect chemistry in solid state materials. She has received the NSF CAREER Award, the TMS Early Career Faculty Fellow Award, the Emerging Leader Award from the Society of Women Engineers, the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research, and the Rose Award for Teaching Excellence at Illinois. She currently serves as the Director of the Network for Computational Nanotechnology Nanomanufacturing Node, Co-Director of the HDR Institute for Data-Driven Dynamical Design and is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Physics.
Matt West is a Professor and William H. Severns Faculty Scholar for the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering. Professor West’s research interests include asynchronous and structure-preserving integrators, stochastic simulation and uncertainty quantification, and multi-scale and multi-physics simulations. He has investigated the use of computers to simulate problems with fluids and boundaries, such as droplets in an engine injector system or the inflation of gas inside an airbag. His work has the potential to make a significant impact on both energy efficiency and clean combustion in automobiles, as well as transportation safety.
Sofia Posada is an academic advisor for the Master of Engineering program in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering. As a recent graduate of the program herself, she offers students a unique perspective—understanding both the academic experience and the path to professional success. Sofia is committed to helping students navigate their studies, build confidence in their technical abilities, and explore opportunities beyond the classroom. With a background in mechanical design and heat transfer, as well as experience in technology commercialization and market research, she supports students in connecting their engineering skills with real-world applications. Sofia is passionate about guiding the next generation of mechanical engineers as they grow personally and professionally throughout the program.