Pankaj Oberoi - Coach
I’m the Coach for Wizards.exe. I have a PhD in Health Sciences and Technology and an M.S. and B.S. in Electrical Engineering. I currently work at Meso Scale Discovery. where I lead business and technical teams. I have been part of FIRST for 7 years, coaching FLL for 4 years and this is my fourth year coaching FTC. I have a passion for teaching and mentoring and giving back to the community by leading Coaching workshops and helping to inspire the next set of leaders. I’m a firm believer that we need to encourage the next generation to be great communicators in addition to being great scientists and engineers. In addition to FIRST, I am a Boy Scout Leader and volunteer with our local Swim Team.
Favorite Food: Rasmalai
Favorite Spell: Cheering Charm - Causes the person upon whom the spell was cast to become happy and contented, though heavy-handedness with the spell may cause the person to break into an uncontrollable laughing fit.
I’m the Coach for Wizards.exe. I have a PhD in Health Sciences and Technology and an M.S. and B.S. in Electrical Engineering. I currently work at Meso Scale Discovery. where I lead business and technical teams. I have been part of FIRST for 7 years, coaching FLL for 4 years and this is my fourth year coaching FTC. I have a passion for teaching and mentoring and giving back to the community by leading Coaching workshops and helping to inspire the next set of leaders. I’m a firm believer that we need to encourage the next generation to be great communicators in addition to being great scientists and engineers. In addition to FIRST, I am a Boy Scout Leader and volunteer with our local Swim Team.
Favorite Food: Rasmalai
Favorite Spell: Cheering Charm - Causes the person upon whom the spell was cast to become happy and contented, though heavy-handedness with the spell may cause the person to break into an uncontrollable laughing fit.
Jyoti Mehta - Software Mentor
I am the software mentor for the team. I have a Masters in Computer Engineering and my first job was working on the Pentium 4 microprocessor at Intel. Since then, I have also worked on object-oriented software design and development using Java at a local biotech company. Currently, I work as a Patent Examiner at the US Patent and Trademark Office, where I examine patent applications in the area of microprocessor design. I have been involved with FIRST for the past 7 years, as an assistant coach and mentor. I enjoy judging at FLL and FTC competitions. In my spare time, I like watching movies, listening to Bollywood music and playing board games (Ticket to Ride is my favorite).
Favorite Food: Papaya, Chocolate
Favorite Spell: Chocolatopous as it covers everything with chocolate
I am the software mentor for the team. I have a Masters in Computer Engineering and my first job was working on the Pentium 4 microprocessor at Intel. Since then, I have also worked on object-oriented software design and development using Java at a local biotech company. Currently, I work as a Patent Examiner at the US Patent and Trademark Office, where I examine patent applications in the area of microprocessor design. I have been involved with FIRST for the past 7 years, as an assistant coach and mentor. I enjoy judging at FLL and FTC competitions. In my spare time, I like watching movies, listening to Bollywood music and playing board games (Ticket to Ride is my favorite).
Favorite Food: Papaya, Chocolate
Favorite Spell: Chocolatopous as it covers everything with chocolate
Vipul Bhatnagar - Engineering and Electronics Mentor
I am an Electrical Engineer and a 3rd-year mentor to Wizards.exe. I studied at Cornell University (B.S.) and The Johns Hopkins University (M.S.). I am a Product Architect at Ciena Corporation, a supplier of optical communications equipment to the world’s internet infrastructure and telephone companies. I was previously a staff member at The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, where I worked on a variety of projects such as satellite communications, precision timing subsystems for metrology and geo-location technologies for monitoring the migration patterns of birds. I'm a Senior Member of the IEEE and hold ten patents in the field of optical communications.
Favorite Food: Spicy papaya salad
Favorite Spell: Tergeo (Cleans up messes) is my favorite spell because there are too many of them in this world!
I am an Electrical Engineer and a 3rd-year mentor to Wizards.exe. I studied at Cornell University (B.S.) and The Johns Hopkins University (M.S.). I am a Product Architect at Ciena Corporation, a supplier of optical communications equipment to the world’s internet infrastructure and telephone companies. I was previously a staff member at The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, where I worked on a variety of projects such as satellite communications, precision timing subsystems for metrology and geo-location technologies for monitoring the migration patterns of birds. I'm a Senior Member of the IEEE and hold ten patents in the field of optical communications.
Favorite Food: Spicy papaya salad
Favorite Spell: Tergeo (Cleans up messes) is my favorite spell because there are too many of them in this world!
Craig Lovell - Mentor
I am the founder and CTO of ArctosAI an artificial intelligence company. We are currently building advanced technologies that enable customers to interact with large scale enterprise applications using natural language input and processing. I got involved in the team through one of my former colleagues, who is a parent mentor for the team. I have helped the team with design patterns and software architecture and am excited to keep working with them through the season
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Spell: Encantanda
I am the founder and CTO of ArctosAI an artificial intelligence company. We are currently building advanced technologies that enable customers to interact with large scale enterprise applications using natural language input and processing. I got involved in the team through one of my former colleagues, who is a parent mentor for the team. I have helped the team with design patterns and software architecture and am excited to keep working with them through the season
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Spell: Encantanda
James Batterden - Mentor
I’m a mechanical engineer involved with cordless fastening at Stanley Black & Decker. As an FRC alumnus, I was excited to learn that my company was sponsoring a FIRST team, Wizards.exe, and wanted to meet them, so I went to one of their design reviews. I was very impressed with the advanced engineering knowledge the team has. I can’t wait to work with the team in the future!
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Spell: Reparo, the Harry Potter mending charm
I’m a mechanical engineer involved with cordless fastening at Stanley Black & Decker. As an FRC alumnus, I was excited to learn that my company was sponsoring a FIRST team, Wizards.exe, and wanted to meet them, so I went to one of their design reviews. I was very impressed with the advanced engineering knowledge the team has. I can’t wait to work with the team in the future!
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Spell: Reparo, the Harry Potter mending charm
Gizem Ozbay - Marketing Mentor
I lead the Global Integrated Communications team at Abbott Vascular. My responsibilities include brand strategy, digital and marketing communications. Prior to joining Abbott, I worked for Procter & Gamble for 10 years. I have held multiple positions in the US and global teams, in progressively responsible areas of upstream and downstream marketing across multiple megabrands such as Gillette, Pampers, Braun, Pantene and Olay during her time at P&G. I am married and have a 4 year old son, Bora. I love travelling with my family, photography and yoga. I connected with Wizards.exe through my former colleague who used to mentor the team. Now entering my second year as a mentor, I am excited to continue supporting the team.
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Spell: Petrificus Totalus
I lead the Global Integrated Communications team at Abbott Vascular. My responsibilities include brand strategy, digital and marketing communications. Prior to joining Abbott, I worked for Procter & Gamble for 10 years. I have held multiple positions in the US and global teams, in progressively responsible areas of upstream and downstream marketing across multiple megabrands such as Gillette, Pampers, Braun, Pantene and Olay during her time at P&G. I am married and have a 4 year old son, Bora. I love travelling with my family, photography and yoga. I connected with Wizards.exe through my former colleague who used to mentor the team. Now entering my second year as a mentor, I am excited to continue supporting the team.
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Spell: Petrificus Totalus
Quinton Davis
I am the Vice President of Operations at LKC technologies and works with EKGs for the eye. I did robotics with Pankaj in college at MIT. I have built moving parts for robots in past jobs. I did my PhD thesis on the hearing of southern alligator lizards and worked on biological warfare equipment deployed in Afghanistan. I have also given scientific presentations in Spain, Germany, England, Singapore, China, and Australia.
Favorite Food: BBQ
Favorite Spell: Wingardium Leviosa
I am the Vice President of Operations at LKC technologies and works with EKGs for the eye. I did robotics with Pankaj in college at MIT. I have built moving parts for robots in past jobs. I did my PhD thesis on the hearing of southern alligator lizards and worked on biological warfare equipment deployed in Afghanistan. I have also given scientific presentations in Spain, Germany, England, Singapore, China, and Australia.
Favorite Food: BBQ
Favorite Spell: Wingardium Leviosa
Simon Lancaster (Mentor)
I graduated from the University of Waterloo (Mechanical Engineering). I have over 10 years experience in product design, manufacturing process R&D and advanced materials development and prototyping.
Favorite Food: Mac & Cheese
Favorite Spell: Reparo
I graduated from the University of Waterloo (Mechanical Engineering). I have over 10 years experience in product design, manufacturing process R&D and advanced materials development and prototyping.
Favorite Food: Mac & Cheese
Favorite Spell: Reparo
Charles Scaringello (Mentor)
I am a mechanical engineers at BAE systems and this is my second year mentoring Wizards.exe. As an FRC alum, I am very excited to see how I can share what I learned in high school for this team. I have attended Wizards.exe’s Design Reviews and meetings and am very excited to keep working with them throughout the season.
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Spell: Alohamora, to unlock
I am a mechanical engineers at BAE systems and this is my second year mentoring Wizards.exe. As an FRC alum, I am very excited to see how I can share what I learned in high school for this team. I have attended Wizards.exe’s Design Reviews and meetings and am very excited to keep working with them throughout the season.
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Spell: Alohamora, to unlock
Prakash Sesha (Mentor)
I am the Regional Technology Manager at Lockheed Martin and this is my second year mentoring the team. I work in Data Analytics and Program Management. I got involved with Wizards.exe through my FLL team, which attended their trainings. I have attended their Design Reviews and am excited to support this team.
Favorite Food: Sandwiches and salads.
Favorite Spell: My favorite spell is not a spell, it is the ability to apparate. I cannot stand my long commute!
I am the Regional Technology Manager at Lockheed Martin and this is my second year mentoring the team. I work in Data Analytics and Program Management. I got involved with Wizards.exe through my FLL team, which attended their trainings. I have attended their Design Reviews and am excited to support this team.
Favorite Food: Sandwiches and salads.
Favorite Spell: My favorite spell is not a spell, it is the ability to apparate. I cannot stand my long commute!
Kate DeGraba (Mentor)
I earned my BS in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech and currently work for BAE Systems in support of the Systems Integrator for the Strategic Systems Program. I was previously part of a robotics team in high school, so I’m excited to continue to be part of the robotics world and share what I’ve learned from my experiences.
Favorite Food: Chocolate chip cookies
Favorite Spell: Accio, it’s very useful to find things I’ve misplaced
I earned my BS in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech and currently work for BAE Systems in support of the Systems Integrator for the Strategic Systems Program. I was previously part of a robotics team in high school, so I’m excited to continue to be part of the robotics world and share what I’ve learned from my experiences.
Favorite Food: Chocolate chip cookies
Favorite Spell: Accio, it’s very useful to find things I’ve misplaced