Meet the Team
Captains
Victor Kalastirsky
Team Captain
Caleb Shin
Team Captain
Naveen Challa
Treasurer
Gavin Leach
Mechanical Captain
Jack Nystrom
Electrical Captain
Daniel Rhee
Software Captain
Victor Kalastirsky
Team Captain
Caleb Shin
Team Captain
Naveen Challa
Treasurer
Gavin Leach
Mechanical Captain
Jack Nystrom
Electrical Captain
Daniel Rhee
Software Captain
Business Team
Business
Anshoul Bhow
Business Lead
The Business team at Formula Slug is responsible for raising, managing, and organizing the team's budget. Building a formula style racecar is certainly not cheap, and Business team exists to solve that issue. Through social media, industry sponsorships, and creative storytelling, the team connects with the Santa Cruz community to come together and build each iteration of FS. Business team shows members how to bring a product from inception to completion, from a few designs to a complete, full-scale car, and all the financing behind it.
Electrical Team
Low Voltage
Luca Younes
Low Voltage Lead
The Low Voltage system ties the whole car together, providing a communication network, safety systems, and power for everything but the motor. We manage the design of multiple cross-functional PCBs, as well as the car's wire harness. You might enjoy working on the LV system if you're interested in circuit design, logic puzzles, PCB Layout, or soldering!
Power Electronics
Edmund Lai
Power Electronics Lead
Power Electronics manages the components of the Battery including the cells, busbars, fuses, isolation relays, and the rest of the Battery Tray. We also manage power distribution for the low voltage system, including DC-DC conversion. Lastly we research novel projects including a custom in-house DC-DC Converter and Motor Controller!
Firmware
Jackson Pinsonneault
Firmware Lead
Firmware is all the code that runs on the car to control and interconnect the electrical system. We program everything from battery management and throttle control to data logging and dashboard screens. If you love C++ and microcontrollers or want to help out with mission-critical software, then you will enjoy working on firmware!
Software Team
Autonomous
Abhi Adari
Autonomous Lead
Autonomous is a challenge that involves racing without a driver, creating challenging computer vision and vehicle dynamics problems. This requires combining multiple types of sensors, such as cameras, lidar, and inertial measurement to interpret the vehicle’s surroundings and determine optimal control. This is a multidisciplinary effort spanning machine learning, vehicle dynamics modeling, as well as electrical and mechanical design to extract maximum performance from our race car.
Data
Raina Chatterjee
Data Lead
The Software Data team is focused on analyzing the data that helps drive our team's decisions. We develop telemetry systems, data logging pipelines, and validation tools to help evaluate the car's performance and guide future designs. We work closely with the Electrical team, Firmware team, and Mechanical team to design reliable data acquisition systems and turn it into meaningful insights. If you're interested in programming, data analytics, or building software that supports the team, the Data team is the place for you!
Simulations
Tribhuvani Ayyagari
Simulations Lead
The simulation team focuses on modeling different aspects of the car to predict and improve its performance. We simulate everything from the tires to the battery to the suspension and more. If you enjoy physics, coding, and want to help design the car, this is the sub-team for you!
Mechanical Team
Battery
Aethlyn Lim
Battery Lead
The Battery Team builds the high voltage lithium-ion battery pack that powers the car—it’s a subteam where mechanical and electrical work come together. With tasks ranging from pack design to modeling the container and cooling systems, we ensure the battery delivers power safely and reliably.
Aerodynamics
Ayrton Tyler
Aerodynamics Lead
The aerodynamics subteam develops high-performance wings and bodywork to optimize downforce and minimize drag for maximum lap times. Join us to gain hands-on experience with CFD analysis, wind tunnel testing, and composite manufacturing while designing the aerodynamic package that gives our car its competitive edge.
Ergonomics
Ruhan Gianchandani
Ergonomics Lead
The Ergonomics team focuses on systems that directly interact with the driver, focused on driver performance, connection, usability, safety, and comfort. We are responsible for the research, design, manufacturing, and testing of the pedal box, driver seating, steering system, brakes, and play a large role in the overall cockpit/chassis design. Our work heavily impacts the drivability and driving experience of the car.
Chassis
Archie Belov
Chassis Lead
The Chassis is the glue that holds the car together. As a member of the chassis team you will learn top level system integration, how to work with complex CAD structures in Onshape, and perform simulations using Ansys to create lightweight & rigid steel tube frame
Suspension
Joseph Sena
Suspension Lead
Suspension Team puts the car in motion. We design and engineer the system that links the drivetrain, steering, braking, and aerodynamic components to the chassis and wheels. By applying advanced physics and mathematics, we develop precise kinematic geometries that align with our vehicle dynamics objectives. Through rigorous force and load analyses, we bring the car to life, optimizing for performance in acceleration, braking, and cornering while ensuring the highest levels of driver safety.
Powertrain
Cameron Bannasch
Powertrain Lead
Powertrain includes both the design of the mechanical drivetrain, which transfers torque from the motor to the wheels, and the placement of the tractive system electrical components including the motor, motor controller, high voltage cabling, and the required enclosures around them. Powertrain design requires optimizing torque delivery and minimizing weight whlie ensuring reliability during harsh driving.
Vehicle Dynamics
Julian Baldwin
Vehicle Dynamics Lead
Vehicle Dynamics is the invisible foundation of all motor vehicles. Our members often work between subteams, focusing on the physics behind every static and dynamic property of our cars. We design things that often cannot be seen, but are impossible to ignore. If you’re looking for a physics/mathematics-driven position, please consider joining Vehicle Dynamics!
Welding
Liza Orekhova
Welding Lead
The Welding Team’s focus is on welding our critical components, from aluminum to chromoly, we handle it all. We specialize in TIG welding, a process valued for its precision, strength, and reliability. If you’re ready to build with skill and join a hands-on team, come be part of the Welding Team!
Manufacturing
Ben Grau
Manufacturing Lead
Have you ever wanted to manufacture a car? To be hands on with almost every part? On Manufacturing, you’ll get experience making parts with industry-grade machines like mills and routers. You’ll learn not just how to use the tools, but the theory and decision-making behind them. With opportunities to pursue CAM, material science, and cost logistics—skills that translate directly into future careers. If you're unfamiliar, we’ll guide you through the path to expertise; all we’re looking for is dedicated people to go the distance!
Composites
