This summer, Keasara Etienne, a Mechanical Engineering Technology major at Virginia State University, brought her curiosity, leadership, and hands-on engineering skills to the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) as part of our internship program. A rising leader at Virginia State University’s College of Engineering and Technology, Keasara immersed herself in real-world projects that blended technical precision with innovation.
At CCAM, Keasara contributed to several key initiatives, including the Preventive Maintenance Template, DAQ Technology Evaluation, and High-Density Data Acquisition Device Market Survey. Alongside these assignments, she also pursued two personal design projects: the Turner’s Cube Suspension Stand and the Direct Energy Deposition Cell Nozzle Cover which demonstrated her ability to apply classroom knowledge to tangible manufacturing solutions.
Throughout her internship, Keasara strengthened her technical toolkit by working with data analysis software, refining her documentation and research methods, and enhancing her 3D modeling and GD&T skills in Siemens NX. She also gained practical experience with 3D printing on the Ultimaker and Bambu Lab printers, expanding her understanding of digital fabrication technologies.
Beyond the lab and the internship, Keasara is an active campus leader, serving as Vice President of Operations for the Society of Women Engineers, Vice President of the Robotics and Coding Club, and Mechanical Design Lead for the NASA Lunabotics Team (2025–2026). She also works as an Engineering Lab Assistant, mentors fellow students, and contributes to undergraduate research in hard robotics, soft robotics, and regenerative chatter.
Following her internship, Keasara plans to continue leading her student organizations, mentoring peers in Engineering, and advancing her ongoing research projects. Her interests in robotics, manufacturing research, and freehand sketching reflect her commitment to both the creative and technical aspects of Engineering.
When she’s not designing or building, Keasara enjoys 3D printing, reading, and arts and crafts, a balance of creativity and precision that mirrors her approach to engineering.
CCAM is proud to spotlight Keasara for her contributions, leadership, and dedication to advancing the future of manufacturing innovation.
Keasara Etienne presents her research in Using Meta-Materials to Reduce Regenerative Chatter During Machining Processes at a CCAM Open House event
