CHAIR
Tara Travis
Tara currently holds the position of Vice Chair in Indiana Chapter of SAE.
She’s originally from Hampton, VA, and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2005. She went on to accept a job offer from Cummins Inc., as a Test Engineer, and has since had multiple roles within the Engine Business Unit (EBU), including Structural Analyst, Project Manager for Aftertreatment Integration, System Team Leader for Fuel System Integration (FSI), and now Global System Team Manager of FSI (with a team covering US, UK, and India). Her team handles everything Industrial and Automotive from the 2.8L up through the 15L diesel engines, and now beginning to expand to alternative fuels.
In 2017 she was awarded the Rodica Baranescu Award from SAE International for Women exhibiting Technical Excellence and Leadership in the Automotive Industry, and would love to be able to use that platform to reach out to others and help them get engaged in the Math & Science Industries.
Tara’s goals for SAE this year are pretty simple. She would like to grow our chapter and increase member participation. She wants members of SAE to feel that they are members for a reason, and wants others to also see the benefit of becoming a member. Increasing student engagement and professionally diversifying the chapter are two other areas where she will be focusing her efforts this year. “There are over 150 companies in our chapter, and I want each and every one of them to have the opportunity to network through SAE Indiana.”
In her “spare time” Tara enjoys outdoor activities (hiking, rock climbing), playing and watching sports, and is very involved in the arts (painting, Latin dance, and a member of Indianapolis Symphony’s young professional
Tara currently holds the position of Vice Chair in Indiana Chapter of SAE.
She’s originally from Hampton, VA, and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2005. She went on to accept a job offer from Cummins Inc., as a Test Engineer, and has since had multiple roles within the Engine Business Unit (EBU), including Structural Analyst, Project Manager for Aftertreatment Integration, System Team Leader for Fuel System Integration (FSI), and now Global System Team Manager of FSI (with a team covering US, UK, and India). Her team handles everything Industrial and Automotive from the 2.8L up through the 15L diesel engines, and now beginning to expand to alternative fuels.
In 2017 she was awarded the Rodica Baranescu Award from SAE International for Women exhibiting Technical Excellence and Leadership in the Automotive Industry, and would love to be able to use that platform to reach out to others and help them get engaged in the Math & Science Industries.
Tara’s goals for SAE this year are pretty simple. She would like to grow our chapter and increase member participation. She wants members of SAE to feel that they are members for a reason, and wants others to also see the benefit of becoming a member. Increasing student engagement and professionally diversifying the chapter are two other areas where she will be focusing her efforts this year. “There are over 150 companies in our chapter, and I want each and every one of them to have the opportunity to network through SAE Indiana.”
In her “spare time” Tara enjoys outdoor activities (hiking, rock climbing), playing and watching sports, and is very involved in the arts (painting, Latin dance, and a member of Indianapolis Symphony’s young professional
Vice Chair
Tim Alfermann
Tim is currently a Electric Motor Engineering Manager with BorgWarner. He grew up in Missouri and earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology where he threw a lot of his time and effort into solar car racing with the university team. There, he learned to love the challenge that came with automotive engineering combined with unconventional power trains with an emphasis on efficiency.
Post-graduation, Tim has held various positions with GM and BorgWarner focusing mostly in hybrid and electric vehicle system component design and validation while earning an MS degree in Electrical Engineering from IUPUI. Joining SAE allows him to foster engineering design competitions which he enjoyed so much, as well as allows him to stay connected with other like-minded individuals doing interesting work in the area. Tim lives in Carmel with his wife and two children and enjoy the outdoors, investing, and sports
Tim is currently a Electric Motor Engineering Manager with BorgWarner. He grew up in Missouri and earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology where he threw a lot of his time and effort into solar car racing with the university team. There, he learned to love the challenge that came with automotive engineering combined with unconventional power trains with an emphasis on efficiency.
Post-graduation, Tim has held various positions with GM and BorgWarner focusing mostly in hybrid and electric vehicle system component design and validation while earning an MS degree in Electrical Engineering from IUPUI. Joining SAE allows him to foster engineering design competitions which he enjoyed so much, as well as allows him to stay connected with other like-minded individuals doing interesting work in the area. Tim lives in Carmel with his wife and two children and enjoy the outdoors, investing, and sports
Vice Chair - Louis Schwitzer Award
Myron Rickard
Myron was born and raised in Central City, KY located in western KY. He attended Estero High School south of Ft. Myers, FL prior to joining the US Navy. He served in the US Navy from 1991-1997 in the Nuclear Propulsion Program as a nuclear reactor operator onboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).
After graduating with BSME/MSME from the University of Kentucky, Myron joined Cummins Inc. in 2003 holding roles in FCA RAM truck engine and Aftertreatment mechanical development through 2010. Myron then served as Aftertreatment Integration Leader for Heavy Duty, Medium Duty, and Light Duty programs until 2017. In 2017, he transferred to the Cummins R&T group serving as a Product Validation engineer on a new clean sheet engine design and development program.
Myron’s interests include basketball, football, auto racing, camping, boating, and just about anything to do with antique and classic cars all while spending quality time with his children.
Myron was born and raised in Central City, KY located in western KY. He attended Estero High School south of Ft. Myers, FL prior to joining the US Navy. He served in the US Navy from 1991-1997 in the Nuclear Propulsion Program as a nuclear reactor operator onboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).
After graduating with BSME/MSME from the University of Kentucky, Myron joined Cummins Inc. in 2003 holding roles in FCA RAM truck engine and Aftertreatment mechanical development through 2010. Myron then served as Aftertreatment Integration Leader for Heavy Duty, Medium Duty, and Light Duty programs until 2017. In 2017, he transferred to the Cummins R&T group serving as a Product Validation engineer on a new clean sheet engine design and development program.
Myron’s interests include basketball, football, auto racing, camping, boating, and just about anything to do with antique and classic cars all while spending quality time with his children.
Vice chair technical activity & AWIM
Anand Nageswaran Bharath
Anand is currently a Senior Engineer in Combustion Research at Cummins. His role involves executing
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to develop new piston and injector designs to improve
fuel economy and emissions for future Diesel Engines and validating those new designs through engine
testing. In addition to his role as Vice-chair Technical Activity, Anand is also actively involved in other
initiatives of SAE: since 2018 he has co-lead the “A World in Motion” program at Girls Inc. with other
Cummins colleagues, and since 2017, he has served as session organizer for various SAE conferences
such as the Powertrains, Fuels and Lubricants Meetings and the SAE World Congress. He obtained his
B.S.E. and M.S.E degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor in 2009
and 2011 respectively, and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Engine Research Center at the
University of Wisconsin Madison in 2016, where he focused on the optimization of air-handling systems
for low temperature combustion engines through simulations. While not working, Anand spends his
time in the outdoors running, biking or playing soccer. He is also an avid fan of buses
and trains, and enjoys traveling and attending classical music concerts.
Anand is currently a Senior Engineer in Combustion Research at Cummins. His role involves executing
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to develop new piston and injector designs to improve
fuel economy and emissions for future Diesel Engines and validating those new designs through engine
testing. In addition to his role as Vice-chair Technical Activity, Anand is also actively involved in other
initiatives of SAE: since 2018 he has co-lead the “A World in Motion” program at Girls Inc. with other
Cummins colleagues, and since 2017, he has served as session organizer for various SAE conferences
such as the Powertrains, Fuels and Lubricants Meetings and the SAE World Congress. He obtained his
B.S.E. and M.S.E degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor in 2009
and 2011 respectively, and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Engine Research Center at the
University of Wisconsin Madison in 2016, where he focused on the optimization of air-handling systems
for low temperature combustion engines through simulations. While not working, Anand spends his
time in the outdoors running, biking or playing soccer. He is also an avid fan of buses
and trains, and enjoys traveling and attending classical music concerts.
Treasurer
Ashish Gupta
Ashish was born and brought up in New Delhi, India. He completed BS Marine Engineering from The State Marine Technical University, St. Petersburg, Russia in 2001 and worked on-board ships as a Marine Engineer for 3 yrs visiting over 30 countries. He obtained Marine Officer certification from South Tyneside College, Newcastle, U.K. He completed MS Engineering from Wayne State University, Detroit in 2007 and his thesis research work publication was included in the 2010 ‘SAE International Journal of Engines’ for being one of the most outstanding papers. He joined Cummins in 2008 and has held several positions with Power Generation, Advanced Alternative Fuels - Research and Technology and currently Engine Performance Manager with Engine Business Unit. He is pursuing an MBA from Kelley School of Business.
Ashish led Community involvement team at Cummins Technical Center for 4.5 years and is the past president of a Cummins Toastmasters club. He lives in Columbus IN with his wife and two kids. He enjoys Taekwondo, Photography and Running in his spare time.
Ashish was born and brought up in New Delhi, India. He completed BS Marine Engineering from The State Marine Technical University, St. Petersburg, Russia in 2001 and worked on-board ships as a Marine Engineer for 3 yrs visiting over 30 countries. He obtained Marine Officer certification from South Tyneside College, Newcastle, U.K. He completed MS Engineering from Wayne State University, Detroit in 2007 and his thesis research work publication was included in the 2010 ‘SAE International Journal of Engines’ for being one of the most outstanding papers. He joined Cummins in 2008 and has held several positions with Power Generation, Advanced Alternative Fuels - Research and Technology and currently Engine Performance Manager with Engine Business Unit. He is pursuing an MBA from Kelley School of Business.
Ashish led Community involvement team at Cummins Technical Center for 4.5 years and is the past president of a Cummins Toastmasters club. He lives in Columbus IN with his wife and two kids. He enjoys Taekwondo, Photography and Running in his spare time.
SECREtary
Roopak Ingole
Roopak is an experienced professional passionate about the integration of electronics, control systems, and embedded software in advancing technology development. With a strong belief in the strategic planning of these capabilities, he emphasizes their growing value and the need for a structured approach to enhance technology offerings. As Director-Advanced Electronic Systems & Strategy, Roopak collaborates closely with R&T and business partners, developing strategies and roadmaps that drive technological progress and ensure seamless hand-offs to internal business customers.
Roopak was born and brought up in central part of India. He holds a BS in Computer Science from the Government College of Engineering, Amravati, India, and an MBA focusing on Strategy and Entrepreneurship from the Kelley School of Business, Bloomington. His career began as a Software Engineer at KPIT Infosystems in 2002. He first joined Cummins in 2004 as a consultant to Cummins Emissions Solutions and returned in 2015 after a seven-year tenure at Motorola Solutions. His work spans from small electronic devices to large-scale telecommunication infrastructure, contributing significantly to research programs and product development, leading initiatives like Model based development, Rapid Control Prototyping, and AutoSAR development.
Roopak and his wife reside in Columbus with their daughter. He has been actively involved in the community, recently serving as chair for Connect at Bartholomew County Financial Literacy Coalition. In his free time, Roopak enjoys hiking, biking, motorcycling, and running. He is eagerly preparing for his sixth Half Marathon.
Roopak is an experienced professional passionate about the integration of electronics, control systems, and embedded software in advancing technology development. With a strong belief in the strategic planning of these capabilities, he emphasizes their growing value and the need for a structured approach to enhance technology offerings. As Director-Advanced Electronic Systems & Strategy, Roopak collaborates closely with R&T and business partners, developing strategies and roadmaps that drive technological progress and ensure seamless hand-offs to internal business customers.
Roopak was born and brought up in central part of India. He holds a BS in Computer Science from the Government College of Engineering, Amravati, India, and an MBA focusing on Strategy and Entrepreneurship from the Kelley School of Business, Bloomington. His career began as a Software Engineer at KPIT Infosystems in 2002. He first joined Cummins in 2004 as a consultant to Cummins Emissions Solutions and returned in 2015 after a seven-year tenure at Motorola Solutions. His work spans from small electronic devices to large-scale telecommunication infrastructure, contributing significantly to research programs and product development, leading initiatives like Model based development, Rapid Control Prototyping, and AutoSAR development.
Roopak and his wife reside in Columbus with their daughter. He has been actively involved in the community, recently serving as chair for Connect at Bartholomew County Financial Literacy Coalition. In his free time, Roopak enjoys hiking, biking, motorcycling, and running. He is eagerly preparing for his sixth Half Marathon.
Promotion and Publicity Chairperson
Vishwanadham Mandala
Vishwanadham Mandala, a leading expert in data engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), has significantly impacted the automotive and digital industries. His dedication to impactful technological innovations has led to substantial advancements in manufacturing processes, public safety, healthcare, and solutions for digital transformation and environmental conservation. Holding dual Master's degrees in Computer Science and Data Science and a BS in Computer Science, he is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science. With over 12 patents granted across India, Germany, and the UK and the publication of more than a dozen books, Vishwanadham is a prominent member of various research organizations.
Vishwanadham is not only committed to his professional pursuits but also to his family. He resides in Greenwood, Indiana, with his wife and two children. His children are currently studying in high school in Greenwood, where they excel in academics and extracurricular activities. Outside of his work, Vishwanadham enjoys spending quality time with his family and playing tennis. His family is a source of inspiration and support, grounding him as he continues to push the boundaries of technological innovation.
Vishwanadham Mandala, a leading expert in data engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), has significantly impacted the automotive and digital industries. His dedication to impactful technological innovations has led to substantial advancements in manufacturing processes, public safety, healthcare, and solutions for digital transformation and environmental conservation. Holding dual Master's degrees in Computer Science and Data Science and a BS in Computer Science, he is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science. With over 12 patents granted across India, Germany, and the UK and the publication of more than a dozen books, Vishwanadham is a prominent member of various research organizations.
Vishwanadham is not only committed to his professional pursuits but also to his family. He resides in Greenwood, Indiana, with his wife and two children. His children are currently studying in high school in Greenwood, where they excel in academics and extracurricular activities. Outside of his work, Vishwanadham enjoys spending quality time with his family and playing tennis. His family is a source of inspiration and support, grounding him as he continues to push the boundaries of technological innovation.