About Us
Our History
The Northwestern University Solar Car Team (NUsolar) is an undergraduate student organization that designs, builds, and races solar-powered vehicles.
NUsolar was founded in 1997 by students and faculty at Northwestern University. Our first car, Sun Cat, was completed in 1999. Since then, we have built seven more vehicles and participated in over 10 solar car races.
Our mission is to enhance the education and career preparation for Northwestern students by providing hands-on project management, design, and manufacturing experience in addition to providing an outlet for students to demonstrate their skills and commitment to potential employers. We also promote alternative energy by increasing the “green” energy awareness in the community and demonstrating the feasibility of solar power.
NUsolar is open to any enrolled Northwestern students.
Leadership
Project Manager
Fiona Ireland (2026) is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the McCormick School of Engineering. She has been with the team since her Freshman year and became the Project Manager in her Junior year. As the Project Manager, Fiona is responsible for coordinating with all teams and keeping the entire project on track to finish Bastet, our SC8 car, and get us to the FSGP 2025 race this summer.
Business Lead
Ethan Flood (2027) is pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering and Economics from the McCormick School of Engineering. He has been with the team since his Freshman year and became the Business Lead his Sophomore year. As the Business Lead, Ethan is responsible for the financial, administrative, and outreach-related aspects of the team. This includes managing the team’s budget, applying for grants, coordinating race logistics, and communicating with and securing sponsors.
Electrical Co-lead
Josh Karpel (2025) is pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering from the McCormick School of Engineering. He has been with NUsolar since his Freshman year and became an Electrical Co-lead his Senior year. As an Electrical Co-lead, Josh works with his fellow Electrical Co-lead to oversee the design and manufacture of all electrical systems of the car, and to ensure that electrical team members have the skills and tools they need to get our car race ready.
Software Lead
Shirley Zhang (2026) is pursuing a degree in Computer Science from the McCormick School of Engineering. She has been with the team since her Freshman year and became the Software Lead her Junior year. As the Software Lead, Shirley is responsible for overseeing the development of all software and telemetry components of the vehicle, managing the rest of the Software Team, and integrating the software systems with the electrical and mechanical components of the car.
Mechanical Lead
Adela Jianu (2026) is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the McCormick School of Engineering. She has been with the team since her Freshman year and became the Mechanical Lead her Junior year. As the Mechanical Lead, Adela is responsible for training new Mechanical members, assigning members to and overseeing all Mechanical sub-teams, and ensuring our car is in racing condition for the FSGP 2025 race this summer.
Electrical Co-lead
Shannon Tan (2026) is pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering from the McCormick School of Engineering. He has been with NUsolar since his Freshman year and became an Electrical Co-lead his Junior year. As an Electrical Lead, Shannon works with his fellow Electrical Co-lead to oversee the design and manufacture of all electrical systems of the car, and to ensure that electrical team members have the skills and tools they need to get our car race ready.
Advisors
Dr. Arora is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, an Assistant Professor of Computer Science, and an Allen K. and Johnnie Cordell Breed Junior Professor of Design
Dr. Rubenstein is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, an Assistant Professor of Computer Science, and affiliated with the Master of Science in Robotics Program.
Dr. Keys is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Mechanical Engineering department.