ASEF Junior Fellow Hayden Leach’s Research Visit and an Engineer’s Quest 

Hayden Leach, an American computer engineering student with deep Slovenian heritage, has experienced a transformative journey through the ASEF Visit Slovenia Junior Fellowship. His story is a blend of a lifelong love for nature, systematic engineering problem-solving, and the realization that certain values and passions are written into his heritage. He gained invaluable hands-on experience at Pipistrel under the guidance of his department head and official mentor, Jernej Drofelnik, while working closely alongside Žiga Kreuzer.

In the following, read his portrait. 

An ASEF Fellow’s Perspective: From Sierra Nevada’s Trails to Slovenia’s Embedded Systems

Hayden’s childhood in the Sierra Nevada mountains instilled in him a profound love for adventure and nature. Upon arriving in Slovenia, he was surprised by the landscape’s familiarity, with its mountains and rivers mirroring his childhood home. This culture of outdoor activity made him feel immediately welcome, an experience cemented by a climb up Triglav for the sunrise – an adventure he highly recommends.

His Slovenian identity was passed down through his mother’s family, who grew up in Slovenian communities in Cleveland and Chicago. A favorite family memory is the shared tradition of making potica, a nut-and-sugar-filled special slovenian dessert. He also recognizes his grandfather’s qualities as a strong Slovenian connection that has profoundly influenced his own work ethic. He shared a memorable anecdote: “My uncle once had to redo the whole stairs after my grandfather noticed a single speck of dirt. This persistence and thoroughness are values that were passed down, and which I definitely feel are a strong connection to my Slovenian side.” This attention to detail has guided Hayden, especially during his years working for his uncle.

The trip has been pretty life-changing for me. I’ve never been to Slovenia, and actually never been to Europe before, so finally seeing the land where my ancestors lived is pretty amazing.

From Locksmithing to the Heart of Aircraft

Hayden’s career path was sparked by curiosity and a lifelong fascination with how things work, initially inspired by his uncle. He was drawn to computer engineering by a desire to understand the “black box” of the increasingly digital world and to apply that knowledge to embedded systems, combining computing with physical components. As a member of the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, he stresses the importance of integrity and excellence, which he sees as crucial for any engineer.

Interestingly, he learned to tackle engineering challenges systematically during his previous job as a locksmith. As he puts it: “Diagnosing a jammed lock is fundamentally like finding a bug in your code; both require a systematic approach and sharp attention to detail.” He describes himself as a curious, open-minded problem-solver, adept at applying fundamental concepts across diverse challenges. 

An Invaluable Experience at Pipistrel

The professional pinnacle of the fellowship was his placement at Pipistrel, a leader in electric and hybrid aircraft. Hayden was most impressed by the comprehensive involvement of the engineers, who follow a project from start to finish. In contrast to the often isolated roles in larger US companies, Pipistrel engineers remain versatile and fully engaged, which makes the experience more rewarding for them.

At Pipistrel, Hayden saw firsthand how embedded systems are used to solve complex problems, such as coordinating power, safety, and efficiency in electric aircraft – the exact kind of work he aspires to do in the automotive industry.

Seeing systems come to life – like testing the actual sensors that I programmed, was really fun and rewarding. Pipistrel showed me how that kind of comprehensive involvement is possible.

Personal Growth and a Message for Future Fellows

The ASEF fellowship gave Hayden an international perspective and enriched his skills in a real-world work environment, all while immersing him in Slovenian culture. Beyond professional development, he enjoyed visiting the sea, the mountains, and the caves. His challenging climb up Triglav ultimately proved his capabilities and inspired him to encourage friends back home to push their own limits. His message to anyone considering applying for the ASEF fellowship is clear.

Go for it! Go all in, for sure. The friendships you make, the perspectives you gain, and the connection to Slovenia that you build are not really describable in ways you can predict or expect.

Hayden’s Favorite Slovenian Things:

• Favorite Dish: Potica (due to its strong family connection).
• Favorite City: Ljubljana (having lived there for three months).
• Favorite Place: The top of Triglav.
• Favorite Music: The bands Ember and Siddharta.
• Favorite Slovenian Word: “Živjo” – Simple, friendly, and symbolizes the welcoming nature he experienced on the hiking trails.

We also thank the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad and all ASEF donors for supporting the work of ASEF and our Junior Fellows.