PNW master’s student named to Conexus Indiana’s Rising 30 Class of 2025
Angela Perez, BS ’21, and current graduate student at Purdue University Northwest (PNW), was named to the Conexus Indiana Rising 30 Class of 2025. She was recognized for her significant contribution to the advanced manufacturing and logistics industry.
“It’s such an honor,” says Perez. “I’m excited but also a little overwhelmed by all the attention. It feels good that all my hard work is being recognized.”
Perez was nominated for her work as a part-time plant operator and engineer at FiberX, a Merrillville, Indiana company focused on producing sustainable materials derived from agricultural byproducts, specifically corn stover, to reduce or eliminate the use of oil. In her role, she designs, fabricates and installs unique components of the processing line. During product development, she was a key innovator – collaborating with the team to meet project requirements. Her work enabled FiberX to transition from manual to automated processing and has prepared the company for two levels of scale-up in the next 18 months.
Conexus Indiana annually honors 30 emerging leaders under the age of 30 in the advanced manufacturing and logistics field. Honorees are picked based on their career accomplishments, leadership and innovative thinking. The awards serve to showcase the industry talent available in Indiana and promote the industry’s future.
“Angela is distinguished from her peers,” says Dave Skibinski, president and CEO of FiberX. “She has a high acumen to learn on the job and employs that knowledge in her work. She is a tireless worker and is committed to completing every job or assignment. Not only does she put in the time, but does so with grace and a positive attitude. She is a person of tremendous character – honest and trustworthy.”
Finding the right fit
Perez’s initial interest in mechanical engineering and industrial engineering technology began with a spark of imagination and a superhero. “I always wanted to invent things and build them with my hands – like Iron Man,” says Perez. “I figured if I knew the theory behind something, I could build it.” The East Chicago, Indiana, native earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from PNW’s College of Engineering and Sciences in 2021.
She credits much of her early hands-on learning and experience to PNW’s Baja Racing team, where she gained practical skills and team-based problem-solving experience. “I was invested and engaged with Baja Racing,” says Perez. “I had a community of students and colleagues that supported me.”
Whether it’s mastering a new technical subject or stepping into an unfamiliar arena, whatever the challenge, she approaches it with determination.
Mont Handley, associate director of CMEC
After graduation, Perez joined PNW’s Commercialization and Manufacturing Excellence Center (CMEC), which serves as a catalyst for economic development and technological transfer throughout Northwest Indiana, and provides opportunities for new innovations, products and related training for manufacturing companies.
Her time at CMEC began with a plant-tending role on a grant project. “What made her stand out was her initiative to partially automate the plant care process – all on her own,” says Mont Handley, associate director of CMEC. After transitioning to the role of design and development technician, she helped bring early-stage product ideas to life and gained operational insights into engineering project execution. “Angela is fearless,” says Handley. “Whether it’s mastering a new technical subject or stepping into an unfamiliar arena, whatever the challenge, she approaches it with determination.”
I like to imagine it will lead to incredible opportunities – not just for personal growth but to share what I’ve learned and help others along the way.
Angela Perez, BS ’21
Engineering her own path
“That job really sparked something in me,” says Perez. “I realized I could help people who don’t have the skills to build their own inventions.” This realization led her to launch AJ Mechanical Design, a company that provides comprehensive mechanical design and engineering services from concept to product realization.
Her passion for hands-on work led her back to PNW, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering Technology from the College of Technology. “The combination of both degrees is the best of both worlds,” says Perez, highlighting how her education now integrates theoretical principles with practical, applied knowledge.
“Receiving this honor (from Conexus) brings a level of credibility and recognition,” says Perez. “I like to imagine it will lead to incredible opportunities – not just for personal growth but to share what I’ve learned and help others along the way.”