Updates and Accomplishments

3rd Cohort (2016 - 2020)

Brandon Williams

Brandon defended his dissertation April 17, 2020.

Publications
Presentations

Cristian Aviles Martin

Cristian is continuing his education at UConn as a Ph.D. candidate in Chemistry.

Randy Hamchand

Randy defended his dissertation and graduated from UConn in 2018. He is currently at Yale University for his Ph.D.

Kevin Rivera

Kevin is continuing his education at UConn as a Ph.D. candidate in Chemistry.

Jessica Maita

Jessica is continuing her education at UConn as a Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science and Engineering.

Virgilio Lopez

Virgilio Lopez III has graduated from Uconn in 2018 and is now at Brown University for his Ph.D.

2nd Cohort (2015 - 2017)

Amani Ebrahim

Amani Ebrahim has switched over to UConn’s School of Engineering Institute of Material Science Polymer Program and is pursuing a Ph.D.

Accomplishments:

(Image from site goes here)

Amani was selected as a Fulbright Alumni Ambassador, and was awarded the GEM Ph.D Fellowship in may 2016 sponsored by Brookhaven National Laboratory and University of Connecticut.

Ryan Williams

(Image of graduation)

Ryan Williams, an LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate Fellow, graduated with a master’s degree in electrical engineering in May 2016.

 

Brian Cruz

Brian Cruz has graduated with an M.S. in environmental engineering and works as an engineer in Loureiro’s environmental division working on a range of projects from water and wastewater treatment design to groundwater/soil remediation.

Guleid Awale

Guleid Awale is continuing his education at UConn as a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

Luke McNaboe

Luke McNaboe is continuing his education at UConn as a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources.

Randi Mendes

Randi Mendes is continuing her education at UConn as a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering.

Shaniel Bowen

Shaniel Bowen received her Masters at UConn and was accepted into the Ph.D. program at the University of Pittsburgh for Bioengineering.

Sonia Chavez

Sonia Chavez is continuing her education at UConn as a Ph.D. candidate in the Polymer Program, IMS, College of Arts and Science

Svetlana Gelpi

Svetlana Gelpi is continuing her education at UConn as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemistry

1st Cohort (2012 - 2015)

Alexavier Estrada

Alexavier Estrada is still at UConn finishing up his Ph.D.

Andreana Mello Panzo

Andreana Mello Panzo finished her MS at the University of Notre Dame.

Deborah Dorcemus

Deborah Dorcemus is at UConn finishing up her Ph.D. planning to graduate in May 2017.

Dustin Ray

Dustin Ray is still at UConn finishing up his Ph.D., planning to graduate in June 2017.

Hector Contreras

Hector Contreras received his MS from UConn and working in Puerto Rico, thinking of going back to school for his Ph.D.

Jaime Angueira

Jaime Angueira completed second Master’s Degree in Urban Planning in Madrid, Spain. Recently started a job in a private company called VHB just outside of DC. He is working as a Transportation Planner.

Accomplishments:

Ricky Angueira gives a TED Talk.

 

Manuel Rivas

Manuel Rivas is currently finishing out his Ph.D. at the Army Research Lab in Maryland.

Accomplishments:

Army Engineer Gains Work, Life Experience in the Lab

Story Highlights

  • Manuel Rivas, an ARL materials engineer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, recently received his doctorate in materials science and engineering from the University of Connecticut after spending over three years working alongside ARL researchers.
  • Rivas’s research at ARL involves enhancing the devices Soldiers need to safely carry out their missions on the battlefield.

 

Nathan Sanford

Nathan Sanford is still at UConn finishing up his Ph.D. and hope to graduate in May 2018.

Neila Seda

Neila Seda graduated with a Master’s in Environmental Engineering in May 2014. She is currently working with CFS Engineers as a Civil Engineer in Kansas City, Missouri.

(image of graduation from updates)

Patrice Hubert

Patrice Hubert earned her Master’s Degree in Nutrition in May 2015, worked as a weight management dietitian at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. She started her Ph.D. at UConn in Allied Health.

 

Tanisha Marie Williams

Tanisha Marie Williams finished her Fulbright Research Grant in South Africa. She continues to work on her Ph.D. at UConn, collecting data in South Africa and hope to graduate in fall 2017

Accomplishments:

(Tanisha Current 2) (Tanisha Current 1)

Tanisha Williams receives a Fulbright research grant to study in South Africa.

Yomery Espinal

Yomery Espinal is currently continuing her Ph.D. research at the Army Research Lab in Maryland and hope to graduate in fall 2017.

Accomplishments:

Supercharged Atomic Engine - Yomery Espinal

Energy conversion occurs everywhere. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, car engines convert chemical energy in gasoline into kinetic energy that accelerates a vehicle, and ATP hydrolysis converts chemical energy in ATP into mechanical energy that feeds your muscles. Thermal energy, like the exhaust from a car or industrial processes, can be converted to useful electrical energy using special materials including thermoelectrics, thermionics, and pyroelectrics.

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