Student Spotlight: Alexander Haefner

Originally from Phoenixville, PA, Alex discovered his love for math and science thanks to an inspiring high school physics teacher. After earning his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at Penn State, he was thrilled to continue his academic journey at the graduate level. Outside of his studies, Alex enjoys biking, weightlifting, playing piano, and all things sports. He’s also an avid hiker and never misses a chance to climb just a little higher for the perfect lookout photo.

During his undergraduate years, Alex was a dedicated member of the Delta Phi Psi fraternity. He served as Recruitment Chairman, connecting with potential new members and organizing networking events, and as New Member Educator, helping new members learn about the organization’s traditions and values. He also participated in charity events like DPhi Reads, which donated children’s literature to local elementary students, and DPhi Cleans the Streets, a community cleanup initiative.

This summer, Alex is excited to conduct experimental flight tests and gather performance data for his span morphing aircraft which is especially meaningful to him since flying drones was a hobby when he was younger. He looks forward to applying his research to real-world challenges and exploring Navy career paths where he can combine his technical skills with his passion for innovation. Alex also values PIPELINE’s impressive network and is eager to continue building professional connections through lab tours and industry meetings.