Mechanical Engineering & Design

Hi, I’m Sumaiya! A sophmore at Northeastern passionate about creating thoughtful, human-centered projects.

I am excited to merge software, electronics, and mechanics to design creative and useful projects. I’m currently preparing for Spring 2026 co-op applications and open to roles in product design, manufacturing, or product development.

LocationBoston, MA
EmailDharsi.s@northeastern.edu
Phone(407) 818-0131
LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/sumaiyadharsi
Get in touch

About

At Northeastern, I split my time between studio courses and hands-on builds that use code, CAD, and fabrication. I enjoy translating complex ideas into playful, tangible experiences—often through sensors, LEDs, and rapid-prototyped parts.

Tools I’ve been using: SolidWorks, Arduino, C++, laser cutting, and collaborative design workflows.

Sumaiya Dharsi headshot

Projects

Cornerstone of Engineering — Spring 2025

Flexir: Hand Physical Therapy Tool

What: Designed a wearable rehabilitation device with 3D-printed components and integrated Arduino sensors to track hand mobility recovery.

How:

  • Modeled in SolidWorks and fabricated prototypes with 3D printing for comfort and durability.
  • Integrated Arduino flex sensors with MATLAB to collect and analyze motion data in real time.
  • Conducted 10 user tests to calibrate sensors, improve accuracy, and validate performance.

Result: Created a functional prototype that demonstrated measurable progress tracking for hand therapy while strengthening my skills in mechanical design, prototyping, and data integration.

Flexir – prototype on hand
Flexir – electronics and wiring
Flexir – 3D printed parts
Flexir – testing session
Cornerstone of Engineering Project

Wreck-It Ralph: Building Disaster

What: Designed and built an interactive educational game to introduce children to structural engineering through storytelling and hands-on challenges.

How:

  • Integrated C++ for logic, Arduino for sensors/LEDs, SolidWorks for CAD, and laser cutting for physical components.
  • Worked in a collaborative team, splitting coding, fabrication, and design while keeping a cohesive user experience.
  • Built level mini-projects: trivia for recall, circuit-building for applied problem-solving, and puzzles for critical thinking.

Result: Delivered a fully functional, engaging game that taught engineering concepts across interactive levels while strengthening cross-disciplinary collaboration and communication.

Wreck-It Ralph – room overview
Wreck-It Ralph – laser-cut parts
Wreck-It Ralph – Arduino + LEDs
Wreck-It Ralph – playtest

Skills

CAD & Mechanics

SolidWorks Laser Cutting Rapid Prototyping Arduino 3D Printing

Programming Languages

C++ MATLAB HTML CSS

Collaboration

Team Projects Communication User Testing Presentation

Resume

Education

Northeastern University — B.S. Mechanical Engineering & Design (Expected May 2028), GPA 3.49/4.00

Boston, MA

Relevant Coursework: Cornerstone of Engineering 1 & 2, Statics, Thermodynamics, Designing Interactive Experiences, Making with Forms

Associations: Society of Women Engineers, Undergraduate South Asian Organization, Islamic Society (ISNU)

Projects

Redesigning Tiffin — Personal Project (Fall 2025 to Present)

  • Redesigned a traditional multi-tier tiffin to be microwave safe while preserving stacking and portability features, using SolidWorks for modeling and iterative prototyping.
  • Applied research and development methods, including user research and material analysis, to evaluate design trade-offs and optimize for safety, durability, and user convenience.

Flexir: Hand Physical Therapy Tool — Cornerstone of Engineering Project (Spring 2025)

  • Designed and prototyped a wearable rehabilitation device using SolidWorks and 3D printing, incorporating Arduino sensors to support hand mobility recovery.
  • Integrated sensors with MATLAB and Arduino to monitor patient progress during at-home therapy, enabling data sharing with healthcare providers.
  • Conducted and analyzed 10 hand-movement tests in MATLAB to validate sensor accuracy and functionality.

Wreck-It Ralph: Building Disaster — Cornerstone of Engineering Project (Fall 2024)

  • Developed an interactive educational game using C++, Arduino, and laser-cut components to introduce children to structural engineering concepts.
  • Programmed an Arduino-based passcode system to unlock rooms and advance through game levels.
  • Conducted user experience testing, gathering feedback to refine gameplay and improve learning outcomes
  • Gained practical prototyping and teamwork experience through collaborative, hands-on design.

Experience

Office Assistant — Northeastern University Department of Economics (Sep 2024 – Present)

  • Digitize and organize confidential student records in line with university standards.
  • Support daily operations: front desk assistance, visitor support, and inventory upkeep.

Volunteer, Coach & Player — Umoja Outreach Foundation (Summers 2015 – Present)

  • Coached two U12 girls’ soccer teams to the semifinals and supported 3,000-person events.
  • Coordinated logistics for opening/closing ceremonies and tournament operations.

Design Intern — Digitech Printers, East Meadow, NY (Summer 2023)

  • Produced custom apparel designs for 7+ clients using heat press and vinyl.
  • Gained hands-on exposure to a professional design & production workflow.

Skills

C++ HTML CSS SolidWorks Arduino MATLAB 3D Printing Laser Cutting

Languages

English (native) Chinese (conversational) Gujarati (conversational)

Interests

Painting Volleyball Soccer Pottery Drawing
Download Resume (PDF)

Get in touch

Want to chat about a co-op or project? Reach out via email or LinkedIn. I’m happy to share work samples and iterate on ideas.

Email Sumaiya LinkedIn