Melissa is a 2nd year MS/PhD student in the mechanical engineering department at UC Berkeley and her focus is in materials. Her current research is investigating the influence of a radial stiffness gradient on composite bulk mechanics. More specifically, her work looks into these functionally graded materials to replicate the function of a healthy human IVD for the application of IVD implants.

While at UC Berkeley, Melissa has been a graduate student instructor for mechanical behavior of materials and is currently teaching 2 STEM classes related to communication, leadership, and ethics. Prior to joining the Berkeley Biomechanics Lab, she spent time working in the energy and additive manufacturing industries.

Melissa enjoys hiking, traveling, spending time with her Australian Shepherd, and cooking/finding food restaurants to eat at.