A digital twin uses real-world data to power a virtual counterpart—an idea reshaping modern engineering. For Chinmay and Tanmay Samak, mirrored counterparts is not only the focus of their research at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), it’s also their daily experience as twins who are identical in virtually every way.

Natives of Pune, India, Chinmay and Tanmay have always known what they have in common truly makes them unique. “It’s always been fun to have a twin, especially one that resonates with you,” said Chinmay. “Twins generally get compared constantly so they choose a mechanism for growing apart or at least a way to differentiate themselves, but that hasn’t been the case for us.”

From favorite foods to hobbies, and even their favorite color, the Samak twins have no answer for the common question of how to differentiate them. “We’ve been together since day one and hope to keep it that way,” said Tanmay with a smile.

At a young age their shared interests included activities like swimming, cycling, hiking and tinkering in the field of robotics. What began in 8^th grade as building line-following and obstacle-avoidance robots grew into research publications and consecutive first place finishes in NASA’s space settlement design competition. By the time they reached their undergraduate studies, they found another shared fascination: autonomous ground vehicles—a passion that would eventually bring them across the world to Greenville, South Carolina.

When considering graduate programs, the brothers developed their own unique criteria to complement university rankings and notoriety.

1. A strong academic program in automotive engineering, autonomy, and robotics
2. A direct path into a fully funded PhD program
3. Access to full-scale test vehicles and state of the art equipment
4. An opportunity to work together, in the same lab, under the same advisor

Despite having never visited, they chose Clemson University, and specifically the Automotive Engineering program located at CU-ICAR. Three and a half years later, they are nearing the completion of their PhDs, with both focused on advancing digital twin technology. Working in the Automation, Robotics and Mechatronics (ARM) Lab under Dr. Venkat Krovi, they are helping to close the loop between real-world vehicle behavior and high-precision simulation. Tanmay specializes in translating real-world data into accurate virtual models. Chinmay’s work mirrors this from the opposite direction, ensuring simulation results can be transferred reliably to physical vehicles.

Looking back on their decision, Chinmay shared what he’d tell their 2022 selves: “In a simple statement, what you are dreaming of is about to come true.”

Due to COVID-19, the twins arrived in Greenville knowing Dr. Krovi and CU-ICAR only through digital imagery, articles and virtual interviews. Their real-world experience far exceeded expectations.

Being welcomed with hands-on access to the Open Connected and Automated Vehicle (OpenCAV) during their first weeks on campus, months earlier than expected, made it clear they had found the mentor they hoped for. “Dr. Krovi is the ideal advisor, especially for us,” said Chinmay. “He’s provided the technical and academic direction for areas where he knows we need to learn and also given us the freedom to explore on our own and approach him when we need guidance.”

The positive surprises extended out of the lab as they began to explore the CU-ICAR campus and the surrounding Greenville community. “CU-ICAR has all the right people on campus,” noted Tanmay. “You have students, professors, and industry professionals, and they’re all headed towards the same objectives. No matter who you’re working with, you can’t go wrong.”

Off campus, Greenville quickly became their second home, one they describe as the perfect balance of modern and tranquil. They fell in love with the mild weather, vibrant downtown, access to nature, and as cyclists, the city’s 28-mile greenway known as the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Within the next year, Chinmay and Tanmay will add “Clemson graduate” to their list of accomplishments. From there, they hope to stay connected to academia while also joining industry through startup ventures. They plan to continue growing their online presence as the Tinker Twins and expand AutoDRIVE, the digital twin ecosystem they created together.

While the exact path ahead is still unfolding, one thing remains certain:
“Whatever it is, most importantly, we’ll do it together.”

What began as a personal decision to be closer to family has led Max Frantz to a career that continues to challenge and inspire him—while also allowing space for what matters most outside of work.

When Max and his wife made the decision to move from Philadelphia, their goal was simple: be closer to family and raise their children in a place with natural beauty and a strong sense of community. Greenville, South Carolina—tucked against the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains—offered just that.

Shortly after relocating, Max accepted a role as a Principal Product Development Engineer with JTEKT North America. The job proved to be a perfect fit. On the new product development team, Max works on the front end of innovation—identifying emerging needs and rapidly building proof-of-concept tests to determine what’s worth pursuing.

Eight years later, that work still excites him. Whether he’s brainstorming new solutions or rolling up his sleeves to build out an early prototype, Max continues to thrive in a role that keeps him engaged and thinking forward.

At home, he finds equal joy in his role as a dad. From family hikes at Paris Mountain State Park to weekends spent at kids’ sporting events, Max is all-in—professionally and personally.

Over time, Max began to feel a pull toward expanding his technical expertise. His interest in automated systems and advanced mechanical design kept growing, and he wanted to understand not just how things work—but why.

With encouragement and financial support from JTEKT, he enrolled in Clemson University’s Master’s program in Mechanical Engineering. The location made it even more feasible—many of his classes were held at the Carroll A. Campbell Graduate Education Center, located on the CU-ICAR campus, just steps from his office.

“It was incredibly convenient to take classes here at CU-ICAR in Greenville,” Max said. “I could be working in my office at JTEKT, simply walk across the street to class, and then return to the office.”

Left: Max enjoying his role of dad at home with his kids.
Right: Max takes part in the classic back to school tradition on his first day of his graduate coursework.

That proximity made a busy schedule more manageable—but it wasn’t the only benefit of the setting. Being based at CU-ICAR made balancing work, school, and family more manageable. The campus’s practical amenities—like nearby dining options, a fitness center, walking trails, and easy parking—helped Max stay focused, energized, and on schedule throughout his busy days.

Though the logistics were in his favor, the commitment was still demanding. Juggling a full-time role and parenting two young kids while completing graduate coursework wasn’t easy—but Max took it on with a focus geared toward growth.

“I didn’t really feel relief when I finished,” he reflected. “While I’m glad to have time to explore other things, I really enjoyed the process of continual learning.”

Since completing his degree, Max has continued to build on what he learned—both in his day-to-day work and through side projects that keep his skills sharp. He’s also taken time to share his perspective with Clemson mechanical engineering students who stop by his office looking for advice or insight into the field.

For Max, learning isn’t limited to the workplace or the classroom—it’s a mindset that carries into all aspects of his life. Whether he’s diving into new engineering challenges, taking on graduate studies, or exploring the outdoors with his family, Max thrives on discovering what’s next. That spirit of curiosity fuels his growth, keeps his work engaging, and helps him create meaningful experiences with the people who matter most.

In March of 1990, Ford Motor Company unveiled a new model SUV, the Ford Explorer. That same year the company had a second, perhaps lesser-known launch, the career of a budding engineer named Jamie Forbes. Now, after 32 years with the industry icon, Jamie conveys a wealth of knowledge and insights to Clemson University automotive engineering students. Among the many lessons he imparts, perhaps the most important is the value of perspective.

After completing his education, Jamie established both his family and career in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Over the next three decades he and his wife, Irene, raised their three daughters, all while Jamie’s career continued to evolve at Ford. Throughout his tenure, he was entrusted with several key roles and helped build departments in optical metrology, mechanical packaging, vehicle engineering, and ergonomics.

In 2011, Jamie hired a young Clemson graduate who had just completed a program called Deep Orange. “He was amazing,” Jamie recalled. “And what I’ve found is that when you have a great engineer and you need more, you ask if they any friends because smart people tend to hang out together.” In the years that followed, Jamie recruited more than 50 Clemson engineering graduates to Ford, creating a valuable pipeline of talent. “It got to the point where I knew if you had worked on Deep Orange, I was going to hire you.”  This growing connection led to personal relationships with professors and eventually, Ford’s sponsorship of Deep Orange 10, a self-driving passenger vehicle prototype aimed at reclaiming drivetime for families, students, and business professionals.

As Jamie’s industry career was nearing its end, he was approached about one final role — an opportunity that would allow him to pour into the very program and students he’d come to admire during his time at Ford.

Forbes in 2021 as a representative of Ford Motor Company consulting with Clemson University students working on Deep Orange 10. 

In 2023, after retiring from Ford, Jamie became a professor of practice within the Clemson University Department of Automotive Engineering. With decades of industry experience, Jamie relishes the opportunity to teach, advise for Deep Orange and mentor the next phase of the engineering workforce. “I came here and got to somewhat reinvent myself,” Jamie shared. “Engineering has given me everything, and I feel a responsibility to give back by teaching the next generation”

A major draw to this new role was the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) in Greenville, SC, home to the Department of Automotive Engineering and more than 20 industry partners. “It was a very comfortable transition for someone with my background because it feels somewhat like an industry setting. It’s a perfect blend between academia and industry,” he recalled. Jamie also emphasized the uniqueness of the automotive engineering program, noting “Typically, these classes are part of mechanical engineering departments that have been in the same building since the 1920s. That’s not the case here. This is a custom-built organization with facilities that directly mimic the industry.”

As a relatively new resident of Greenville, Jamie and Irene enjoy exploring all the Upstate has to offer, especially outdoor activities. They’ve already hiked popular local trails like Paris Mountain and Table Rock, but their favorite trek is the monthly trip to Maine to visit their grandchildren. With two grandkids, ages 3 and 1, Jamie — also known as ”Papa” — cherishes watching them grow and observing the interactions between his wife, their daughter, and the next generation. It’s that same sense of perspective that makes Jamie such a valuable mentor to his automotive engineering students.

After three decades in the mobility industry, Jamie understands his students will need more than just the technical skills of engineering. From advice on entering the workforce to mastering communication and understanding global policy, Jamie aims to fully prepare his students for their future careers. “The rigors of graduate education can make it difficult to see what’s ahead,” he said, “but I hope to offer my students the perspective and encouragement they need to push the industry forward. I’ve had my career, and now I get the privilege of helping these motivated young engineers along their journey. I remember being in their shoes, and I know the incredible, rewarding future that lies ahead for them.”

Forbes, now in his role with the Department of Automotive Engineering, provoking thoughtful conversations with the cohort of students developing Deep Orange 17.

When he first visited the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) during a high school summer program, he never imagined a career at a defense company just down the road, but a decade later that’s exactly where we find Drew Girshovich.

The Rock Hill, SC native grew with little awareness of Clemson University, much less CU-ICAR, yet it’s a place that would come to play a key role in his educational experience and launch his career. The summer before his sophomore year in high school Drew participated in a program that allowed him to tour the CU-ICAR campus, meet faculty and participate in hands on demonstrations. That visit left an indelible mark on him, sparking a dream that would shape his educational and professional future. “As a 15-year-old car enthusiast, it just blew my mind,” recalled Girshovich. “I told myself, ‘This is where I’m going to end up and I’m going to do everything I can to get to this place.’” And that’s exactly what happened. Drew graduated from Clemson University with a mechanical engineering degree and enrolled in the automotive engineering graduate program. He soon found himself on the CU-ICAR campus fulfilling the goal he’d set just years earlier, but it wasn’t quite what he was expecting.

“Clemson’s undergraduate engineering program was tough, so I expected the graduate work was going to be a huge challenge, and it was, but in an exciting and engaging way,” Drew explained. “It was less of a list of specific things you have to learn and more like ‘What are you passionate about?’ and then ‘Well let’s go learn and research how to do it.’” For Drew the answer to that question was design engineering. “To be able to design and create something that you can hold, and then give it to someone and say ‘I made this for you to make your life better’ is something I’ve always been passionate about.” Little did he know that his passion for design engineering and cars would lead him on a two-year journey that he would call one of the best experiences of his life.

During his time on the CU-ICAR campus, Drew participated in Deep Orange, an immersive 24-month concept development program that produces a prototype vehicle addressing real-world mobility challenges. “I learned so much from Deep Orange that you just can’t learn in a classroom,” said Drew. “It’s one thing to design something, but the process of actually making it for a customer is very different.” The experience not only shaped his technical expertise, but also his approach to collaborative work. “Deep Orange was crazy and hectic, but in such a good way. It taught me about not just being an engineer, but also being a team player, leadership, and how to interact with the customers and industry partners.” His time in the program and exposure with CU-ICAR partners would ultimate help Drew achieve his next goal, a design engineering role in the city he had come to love.

With graduation in sight, Drew and his wife, Olivia, began to evaluate the next phase of their lives. For the couple that loved spending time on Lake Hartwell, attending Clemson Football games, and exploring the Upstate of South Carolina, the idea of moving north for a design engineering job seemed less than ideal. “I had been told by professors, and I experienced it firsthand through Deep Orange—there’s just a different energy here than in the cities where many of the design engineering jobs are located,” Drew explained. “Being on the CU-ICAR campus in Greenville allowed us to fully experience the city. There’s always something going on with outdoor experiences, festivals and unique places to eat. It’s a place we fell in love with and didn’t want to leave.”

With an affinity for Greenville in mind, Drew was guided by Deep Orange faculty to explore Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), a multi-national company delivering research, leading-edge products, and innovative solutions that address problems of national importance. Better yet, ARA was already an established partner of CU-ICAR and had an office just minutes from campus. “I never would have guessed I’d end up in the defense industry,” Drew admitted. “But my time at CU-ICAR opened my eyes to all the avenues I could go with my automotive engineering degree. The program provides such a broad skill set that is valuable in any workplace, and it enabled me to stay in Greenville —something that was important to me.”

Now an established design engineer with ARA, Drew is excited to once again develop new goals and ideas on the CU-ICAR campus as the two organizations continue to partner on research initiatives. “When I joined ARA, I was thrilled to learn about the existing collaboration with Clemson University. With all the resources and expertise at CU-ICAR and ARA, I know the partnership is going to be incredibly productive,” Drew said. “I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together in the future.”

As Clemson University and ARA continue their partnership, there’s no doubt that Drew’s story is just getting started—and the future holds even more exciting possibilities for this talented engineer and innovator.