Samantha Korac

From the classroom to the racetrack, Samantha Korac is pushing the limits of autonomous vehicle technology. The Atlanta native and sophomore in aerospace engineering serves as a key engineer for Auburn’s Autonomous Tiger Racing team and conducts research in the GPS and Vehicle Dynamics Lab.

Why Auburn

“My family and I moved because of the location and the people. We all loved everything about Auburn. As a kid, I kept a spreadsheet of all the schools I was interested in, but once college applications came around, I didn’t even apply anywhere else — I was dead set on Auburn. Taking dual enrollment classes gave me an early glimpse of the Auburn experience, and since then, I haven’t regretted anything.”

Why Engineering

“My dad and brother are both engineers, so I was always surrounded by the problem-solving and creative aspects of engineering. I was always playing with Legos, building blocks and toy airplanes. As I’ve grown up, my love for building, inventing and collaborating with others to bring ideas to life has skyrocketed.”

Autonomous Tiger Racing

“I got involved with Autonomous Tiger Racing as soon as I got to Auburn, and it’s been my favorite part of being in engineering. The experience is so fast-paced and completely immersed me into programming, motorsports, autonomous technology and real-world experiences. We placed first in the Tier 1 speed competition in Vegas and raced lead-up to IndyCar teams at Laguna Seca.”

GAVLAB

“Jumping into the GAVLAB from the start of my Auburn journey was hands-down the best decision I’ve ever made. It opened my eyes to endless options within engineering and helped me find my passion for motorsports, and specifically GPS and vehicle dynamics. The support I’ve received through the GAVLAB is unparalleled. It continues to shape me as a person and an engineer.”

To learn more about Korac, check out her interview on the award-winning #GINNing Podcast.