Meet Your TRAC Mentors

Esther Hunt

Class of 2025

Major and/or minor: Mechanical Engineering

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

What are your goals after finishing your undergrad? I would like to be hired at an aerospace company and work with
planes or space rovers. If I don’t feel too burned out, I could possibly pursue my masters/PhD in aerospace engineering or robotics!
If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be? Christina McAuliffe, Katherine Johnson, Emily Dickinson, David Attenborough
On a scale of 1-10, how funny would you say you are? My sense of humor is very random, but my friends would say I’m a solid 7.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why? I would live in New Zealand! I love the beautiful landscape and how
accessible the ocean is. The accents are generally very appealing to me and being mistaken as a native Kiwi is a lifelong goal of mine.
What is one piece of advice you wish you were given or known about starting at a new university? Although it can be
overwhelming, remember that a new school is a new opportunity to grow socially and academically, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You will eventually settle in, become more confident, and create some wonderful memories!

Ludovica Pujia

Class of 2026

Major and/or minor: Mechanical Engineering

Hometown: Rome, Italy

What are your goals after finishing your undergrad? Pursuing a career in product management, building consumer goods, or AI-driven technology.
If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be? Larry Page and Sergey Brin (for insights on entrepreneurship)
Ada Lovelace (to discuss the origins of programming)
Robert Green (love all of his books about human behavior)
Einstein (to discuss how he made his ideas came to reality)
On a scale of 1-10, how funny would you say you are? Somewhere around a 7 or 8—I say concepts in funny ways whenever I translate from Italian to English and I have a sharp, observational sense of humor.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why? Probably a tech hub like Boston, San Francisco, or Seattle, since they’re great for product innovation, robotics, and startups.
What is one piece of advice you wish you were given or known about starting at a new university? “Network early, experiment with side projects, and don’t be afraid to pivot.” Getting involved in hands-on projects and connecting with the right people early on can make a huge difference. Also, time management is key when balancing academics and startups.