SOMA AZEEM
Storrs,CT
Summary
Driven Mechanical Engineering student at UConn with Junior academic standing by credits and hands-on research experience in electrocatalysis and soft robotics. Experienced in electrode fabrication, CAD modeling (SolidWorks), and campus sustainability outreach. Strong communicator with demonstrated leadership in technical sub-teams and student mentorship.
Overview
2028
2028
years of professional experience
Work History
Researcher
PRIME Lab Uconn
Storrs, CT
09.2025 - Current
- Served as a founding lab member, establishing initial operational frameworks and designing/developing the official lab website to showcase research projects and publications.
- Engineered experimental setups for electrocatalysis research, fabricating custom electrodes and applying drop-casting techniques for precise catalytic material deposition.
- Conducted comprehensive literature reviews to synthesize existing data on electrocatalytic processes, identifying key performance trends to inform experimental design.
Sustainability Outreach Intern
UConn Office of Sustainability
Storrs, Connecticut
08.2026 - 05.2027
- Co-led outreach and campaign logistics for EcoMadness, engaging 13,000+ residential students across 20+ residence halls to achieve ~20% reduction in energy and ~30% in water usage.
- Managed operations and circular economy initiatives for UConn Thrift Den, processing clothing donations to serve 600+ campus members and divert textile waste from local landfills.
- Drafted outreach content for sustainability newsletters, flyers, and social media posts.
WOW Leader
Student Activities UCONN
Storrs, Connecticut
08.2026 - 09.2026
- Mentored a cohort of 80 incoming students, facilitating campus integration, group discussions, and peer networking during move-in week.
- Supported orientation logistics for UConn’s 6,400+ freshman class, managing schedule flow, directing event logistics, and resolving student inquiries.
Researcher
Soft Robotics Lab UCONN dr. Duduta Mihai
Storrs, ConnecticutCT
05.2026 - 09.2026
- Fabricated 40 custom electrodes for mechanical and electrical performance testing in artificial muscle actuators, ensuring high-quality standards.
- Developed experimental protocols to evaluate actuator efficiency, durability, and response times under varied loading conditions, enhancing testing accuracy.
Library Assistant
Homer Babbidge Library UCONN
Storrs, Connecticut
05.2026 - 08.2026
- Managed interlibrary loan (ILL) mailroom processing, fulfilling and routing high-volume book requests between UConn and partner university libraries, ensuring timely access to resources.
- Led physical space reorganization and collection maintenance during summer operations, cleaning and optimizing storage layouts to enhance accessibility for the academic year.
Student worker
STEM and Navy Crew
Storrs, CT
09.2025 - 12.2025
- Facilitated hands-on STEM design workshops for high school students across Connecticut, enhancing understanding of engineering concepts through interactive demonstrations and technical problem-solving.
- Engaged and motivated students toward engineering and technical career paths, collaborating with U.S. Navy recruiters and STEM outreach teams to broaden outreach and interest.
Student Worker
Northwest Dinning Hall UCONN
Storrs, Connecticut
01.2026 - 09.2026
- Maintained high-efficiency food service operations in high-volume campus dining facilities, serving thousands of students daily while adhering to strict time management and quality standards.
- Upheld food safety and sanitation protocols, managing station cleanliness, temperature logging, and proper equipment operation in compliance with university health standards.
Intern
National Centre of Robotics and Automation
01.2024 - Current
- Learned about Robotics, 3D modeling, Manufacturing Techniques, Circuit designing, Laser cutting and Laser Engraving
- Submitted a project report on 3D designing and Printing of a car and did hands-on practical for laser cutting and laser engraving
Intern
SMME
01.2023 - Current
- Worked under Professor to learn about Robotics and Artificial intelligence
- Built a Lego based robot and learned EV3 programming, learned to build a circuit in circuit workshop, then designed a wooden frame in wood workshop
- Gained foundational knowledge in woodwork, soldering, and mechanical wing construction.
Intern
QC360
Islamabad
- Worked as their Website developer
- Designed a Comprehensive plan to increase their social media presence
- Worked to improve and revamp their website
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Mechanical Engineering
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT, US05-2029
Skills
- Python Programming language
- C programming language
- Davinci resolve
- Microsoft Excel
- Adobe Photoshop
- CAD
- Project Management
- Data analysis
- Communication
- Research
- Multilingual
Accomplishments
- Dean's list(4.0GPA) for first semester at Uconn
- Distinction in Matriculation Result, 01/01/23
- Bronze Medal for High Achiever, Head Start Kuri, 01/01/XX
- Honorable Mention for Best Delegate, MUN Head Start Gulmohar Campus, 01/01/23
- Best Delegate Award, LGSi MUN, 01/01/23
- 98% Scholarship, Ivy Entrepreneurs by Columbia University, 01/01/23
- Won Greece Young Physicist Tournament, 01/01/24
- Partial Scholarship for Oxford AI Summer Program, 01/01/23
- Letter of Appreciation for Outstanding contribution to event management, Head Start Kuri Campus Robotics Competition, 01/01/23
- Top 15 Finalists, Pakistan Entrepreneurial Summit, 10/15/24
- Selected for United States Education Foundation in Pakistan summer boot camp, 01/01/23
PASSION PROJECTS AND RESEARCH WORK
- Did primary research in Economics Extended Essay on the effectiveness of ban implemented on polythene bags in Islamabad Capital territory by collecting data from more than 250 consumers, 50 shopkeepers, and 2 factory producers.
- My review paper is under peer review on antimatter asymmetry problem in Journal of high school of Science.
- Worked as Researcher and Co-author at Islamabad Policy Studies for the most efficient policy regarding energy in Pakistan.
- Built a bartering app by collaborating with a software engineer from COMSATS University and presented that app in the Pakistan entrepreneurial summit.
- Built a prototype of a Robotic arm using EV-3 and Python programming language under DR. Saadia Habib.
- Built a website for mental health after completing course of WordPress.
Timeline
Sustainability Outreach Intern
UConn Office of Sustainability
08.2026 - 05.2027
WOW Leader
Student Activities UCONN
08.2026 - 09.2026
Researcher
Soft Robotics Lab UCONN dr. Duduta Mihai
05.2026 - 09.2026
Library Assistant
Homer Babbidge Library UCONN
05.2026 - 08.2026
Student Worker
Northwest Dinning Hall UCONN
01.2026 - 09.2026
Student worker
STEM and Navy Crew
09.2025 - 12.2025
Researcher
PRIME Lab Uconn
09.2025 - Current
Intern
National Centre of Robotics and Automation
01.2024 - Current
Intern
SMME
01.2023 - Current
Intern
QC360
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Mechanical Engineering
University of Connecticut