SMILab Alumni
Guillermo Toledo Aponte
BS in Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), 2025
Contact
guille03tnf@unm.edu
Research Interests
3-D Modeling, Additive Manufacturing, Aerospace, UAV’s, Vibrations, Sensors
Odey Yousef
MS Civil Engineering 2023
BS Civil Engineering, UNM 2020
Contact
Email: yousefo@unm.edu
Cell: (505) 903-1082
Research Interests
Experimental structural dynamics, multi-input multi-output (MIMO) testing, active structural control
Daniel Gavin
University of New Mexico 2023
Educational Consultant and Research Assistant
Contact
dgavin@UNM.edu
Research Interests
Applications of stem in education, practical civil engineering
Sofia Olive
UNM SMILAB Academic Intern
Electrical Engineering, UNM 2027
Contact
solive36@unm.edu
Research Interests
Sensors, robotics, applications of physics
Jennifer Restrepo
BS Mechanical Engineering, UNM 2021
MS Civil Engineering, UNM 2023
Contact
Email: jrestrepo@unm.edu
Research Interests
Structural Dynamics, Solid Mechanics, Finite Element Analysis
Ronan Reza
La Cueva High School 2023
Contact
ronan.reza@gmail.com
Research Interests
AR, 3D modeling, creative work, video production
Midshipman 4/C Hector Valenzuela, NROTC
BSE Computer Engineering, UNM 2026
Contact
hsvalenzuela1@unm.edu
Research Interests
Cyber Security, Robotics, Virtual Design, Augmented Reality
Solomon Atcitty
BS Mechanical Engineering, UNM 2023
SMILab Undergraduate Research Assistant
Contact
satcitty4@unm.edu
Research Interests
Manufacturing, Design, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, 3D Modeling
Julian Cata
Eastern New Mexico University 2022
High Water Mark LLC
Research Assistant and Collaborator at SMILab 2022
Contact
julian.cata@enmu.edu
Research Interests
Environmental science
Lauren Vigil
Contact
laurenvigil@high-watermark.com
Research Interests
Marielly Rodriguez Gauthier 
CHRES UNM Co-op Intern
BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
Contact
marielly.rodriguez1@upr.edu
mars802@unm.edu
Research Interests
CAD, 3D printing, mechanism design, robotics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics
Christian M. Torres Ortiz (Christian Torres) 
UNM SMILAB Academic Intern
BS Electrical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, 2028
Contact
christian.torres55@upr.edu
Research Interests
Electrical engineering, circuit design, solar energy systems
Midshipman 3/C Gabriel Zelaya, NROTC
BS Mechanical Engineering, UNM 2025
Contact
gzelaya@unm.edu
Research Interests
Cyber Security, Manufacturing, Design, Field Testing
Midshipman 2/C Connor Miller, NROTC
BA Economics, UNM 2023
Contact
cmiller14@unm.edu
Research Interests
Cyber Security, Manufacturing, Design, Field Testing
John-Wesley Hanson
BS in Computer Science, UNM 2023
Associates Degree Computer Science, CNM 2020
Contact
Jw.Hanson@Outlook.com
Research Interests
Robotics, Augmented Reality, Computer Systems Engineering, Virtual Machine Learning, BeagleBone
Edgardo Ortiz
Ana O Mendez Gurabo Campus
SMILab Undergraduate Research Assistant
Contact
edgardoortizrodriguez120@gmail.com
Research Interests
Battery, power systems, communication systems
Elijah Wyckoff
BS Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University 2020
MS Mechanical Engineering, UNM 2022
Contact
ewyckoff13@unm.edu
Research Interests
Sports Engineering, Smart Sensing, Augmented Reality
Julian Cata
Eastern New Mexico University 2022
High Water Mark LLC
Research Assistant and Collaborator at SMILab 2022
Contact
julian.cata@enmu.edu
Research Interests
Environmental science
Jason Lee
Intern at SMILab July 2022
National Taiwan University 2023
Contact
b07602040@ntu.edu.tw
Research Interests
Structures, sensors, transportation
Harry Chung
Intern at SMILab July 2022
National Taiwan University 2023
Contact
harryup2000@gmail.com
Research Interests
Robotics, automatic control
Yi-Syuan Chen 
Intern at SMILab July 2022
National Taiwan University 2023
Contact
syuan20000702@gmail.com
Research Interests
Deep learning, programming, sensors, IoT
Sandeep Alampalli
Union College Electrical Engineering, 2023
Summer 2022 NSF REU Fellow
Contact
snalampalli@gmail.com
Research Interests
Remote Sensing Networks, Sensor Design
Perci
Summer 2022 high school
Summer NSF High Water Mark LLC intern
Contact
perciliana04@gmail.com
Research Interests
2nd Lieutenant Joshua Murillo, USMC
PMS Global and National Security, UNM 2022
BISI Global and National Security, UNM 2021
Contact
Jmurillo2@unm.edu
Research Interests
Cyber Security, Cyberphysical Systems, Wireless Sensor Networks, UUVs
Dilendra Maharjan
MS Civil Engineering, UNM 2019
BE Civil Engineering, I.O.E, Nepal
Contact
dmaharjan@unm.edu (505)-573-6219
Research Interests
Probabilistic Structural Dynamics, Earthquake Engineering, Random Vibrations Analysis, Structural Health Monitoring, Fracture Mechanics
Marlon Frank Agüero Injante 
MS Civil Engineering, UNM 2020
MS Industrial Constructions and Installations, Polytechnic University of Valencia 2018
BS Systems Engineering, National University of Trujillo 2010
BS Civil Engineering, Private University of Trujillo 2010
Contact
magueroinjante@unm.edu
Research Interests
Structural Dynamics, Structural Control Systems, Smart Damping Devices, Industrial Infrastructure, Structural Health Monitoring, Earthquake Engineering
Roya Nasimi
PhD Civil Engineering, UNM 2021
MS Structural Engineering, University of Tabriz/UT
Contact
rhnasimi@unm.edu
Research Interest
Digital Image Processing, Computer Vision, Low Cost Sensors, HPC, Smart bridges, Structural Health Monitoring, Smart Structures, Extreme Loadings and Natural Hazards, Progressive Collapse, Engineering Software, FE Modeling
Jiaqi Xu, PhD
Postdoctoral Associate
PhD, Civil Engineering, Tongji University (China), 2017
BS, Civil Engineering, Tongji University (China), 2008
Contact
Cell- (505) 910-0103
Email- jackiexu90@gmail.com
Wechat ID- jiaqixu_TJ
Research Interest
Structural dynamics, Structural health monitoring, Wireless smart sensor networks, Artificial intelligence, Machine learning, Cyber-security, Structural optimization, Topology optimization, Random theory, Seismic engineering and Structural analysis
James Woodall
MS Civil Engineering, UNM 2021
PhD Civil Engineering, UNM 2024
Contact
Email: jameswoodall@unm.edu
Cell: 505-358-5655
Research Interests
Modal Analysis, Structural Dynamics, Structural Health Monitoring
Xinxing Yuan
PhD Civil Engineering, UNM 2022
MS Structural Engineering, Institute of Disaster Prevention Specialty, 2018
BS Civil Engineering, Institute of Disaster Prevention Major, 2014
Contact
Email: xyuan@unm.edu
Research Interests
Structure Health Monitoring, Low-cost Smart Sensor, Reinforced Concrete structure seismic design
Marlan Ball
Cyber-security Instructor
Certificate in Computer Programming, CNM, 2019
Zend Certified PHP Engineer, 2016
Certificate in Full Stack Web Development, CNM, 2016
BS Electrical Engineering Technology, LeTourneau University, 1992
Contact
mball15@unm.edu
Research Interests
Robotics, Augmented Reality, Cyber Security, Machine Learning, AI, Arduino, NVIDIA Jetson
Melody C. Cosme Morales
BS Electrical Engineering, UPRM 2022
Contact
melody.cosme@upr.edu
Research Interests
Power Electronics, Aerospace, Renewable Energy, Robotic, Resilience Energy Systems and Social Impact Projects
Kaleb James Kendall
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Military Science
Class of 2023
Contact
kendallk@unm.edu
Research Interests
Cybersecurity, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Automated Systems
Sho Komiyama
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Major: Computer Science, UNM 2024
Contact
Sho.komiyama@menaulschool.net
Research Interests
Intelligent Railroad Inspection
Jason Aldaz
MEng Civil Engineering, UNM 2020
BS Civil Engineering, UNM 2017
Contact
Email: simaldaz@unm.edu
Research Interest
Smart Bridges, Structural Health Monitoring, Anti-terrorism Designs, Finite Element Analysis
Nicolas Cobo Yepes
Research Assistant
PhD Electrical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico 2020
MS Electrical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico 2015
BS Electrical Engineering, University of Quindio Armenia 2011
Electronic Fundamentals, SENA Technical Institute Armenia 2006
Contact
nicolas.cobo1@upr.edu, nicoye@unm.edu, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-cobo-yepes-21b914a2/
Research Interests
Low-Power Consumption Systems, Low-Cost Smart Sensors, Energy Harvesting System, IoT and WSNs, Fuzzy Logic Control, Embedded Systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Jorshua A. Diaz Rosa
Ana G. Mendez University at Gurabo, Puerto Rico
BS Electrical Engineering, 2021
Contact
jdiaz815@email.suagm.edu
Research Interests
Low-cost smart sensors, DC micro-grids, Cyber security
Morgan Tubb
AFRL Summer Intern, Augmented Reality
BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Dallas-Texas 2020
Contact
morgantubb@gmail.com
Research Interests
Augmented Reality, Human Machine Interaction, Aerospace
Emmanuel Ayorinde
Research Assistant
BS Mechanical Engineering, UNM 2020
Contact
Email: emmanuelayo@unm.edu or emmanuel.ayorinde@gmail.com
Cell: 682-234-1838
Research Interest
Structures, Non-destructive Testing, MicroControllers, Megatronics
Shuang Yang
PhD Computer Science, UNM 2020
MS Computer Science, UNM 2014
BS Computer Science, BUAA 2010
Contact
Email: yangs@unm.edu
Research Interests
Augmented Reality, High Performance Computing
Alex Kaltenbach
BS Mechanical Engineering, UNM 2024
Contact
akaltenbach@unm.edu
Research Interests
Automated Intermodal Transport Infrastructure, Applications of Blockchain Networks, Low-Cost Sensors
Casey Elizondo
Major: Computer Engineering
Minor: Military Science
Class of 2022
Contact
celizondo5@unm.edu
Research Interests
Renewable Energy, Networks & Signals, Robotics
Midshipman 2/C Zane Stone-Dudney, NROTC
BA History, UNM 2023
Contact
zdudney@unm.edu
Research Interests
Cyber Security, Augmented Reality, Field Testing, Smart Sensing
Cadet Porter Yang, AFROTC
BS Computer Science, UNM 2026
Contact
pyang19@unm.edu
Research Interests
Cyber Security, Web Design, Augmented Reality, Robotics
Dominic Omar Thompson
UNM Class of 2022
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Mathematics
Contact
Email: domtom2000@unm.edu
Cell: (505) 410 – 5227
Research Interests
Augmented & Virtual Reality, 3D Modeling, Dynamics, Design
James Fenimore
Major: Computer Engineering
Minor: Military Science
Class of 2024
Contact
jdfenimore@unm.edu
Research Interests
Cybersecurity
Lucas Zhou
UNM Undergraduate Research Assistant
Contact
lfzhou@unm.edu
Research Interests
Computer Engineering
Maria del Pilar (Pily) Rodriguez
Design Engineer, ESCA Consultants
B.A. Environmental Planning and Design, UNM 2014
B.S. Civil Engineering, UNM 2019
Contact
rodriguez.mdelpilar@gmail.com
pr@escaconsultants.com
Research Interests
Structural health monitoring, railroad and structural design
Rafael Cardona Huerta
Site Civil Engineer on the Riyadh metro Project, FCC. 2019
MS Civil Engineering, University of Castilla-La Mancha. 2019
BS Civil Engineering, University of Castilla-La Mancha. 2017
Contact
rafacardonahuerta@hotmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-cardona-huerta-25868214b
Research Interests
Structural Health Monitoring, Low-cost Smart Sensors, Structure and Bridge Design
Xiang Xu
MS Bridge Engineering, Yangzhou University, 2020
BS Bridge Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, 2018
Contact
Email: xxiang@unm.edu
Research Interests
Structure Health Monitoring, Earthquake Engineering, Smart Damping Devices, Wireless smart sensor networks
Zeyu Wu, PhD
SMILab Affiliate
PhD, Water Structure Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 2012
MS, Mechanical Engineering, Zhengzhou University , 2004
BS, Civil Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Technology, 2000
Contact
Phone- (505) 218-4691;
Email– 13598437507@163.com
Research Interests
Structure vibration control; Complex structure design
Ali Irmak Ozdagli, PhD
Post-Doctoral Fellow
PhD, Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 2015
MS, Civil Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 2009
BS, Civil Engineering, Bogazici University (Istanbul, Turkey), 2007
Contact
aozdagli@unm.edu
Can Zhu
College of Civil Science and Engineering
SMILab Visiting Scholar from Yangzhou University in P. R. China
Contact
canzhu@unm.edu
Philipp Weingärtner
SMILab Exchange Scholar
MS, Civil Engineering, University of the German Armed Forces, Munich
Contact
philipp.weingaertner@unibw.de
Paul Ward, MS 
AmeriCorps VISTA for STEAM New Mexico
MS, Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, 2012
BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of New Mexico, 2005
Contact
paulward.pw@gmail.com
Noel Mollinedo 
AmeriCorps VISTA for STEAM New Mexico
BFA University of New Mexico
Contact
nmollinedo@unm.edu
Piyush Garg
Graduate Student and Project Assistant, MS
PGD, Integrated VLSI and Embedded System Design, CDAC-Mumbai, 2011
BE, Electronics and Telecommunication, University of Mumbai, 2010
Contact
pgarg@unm.edu
Ian Benjamin
BS student in Mechanical Engineering at UNM
Contact
benjaminian@unm.edu
Sharon Chihyu Shen 
Undergraduate Visiting Scholar in Computer Science, UNM
BS, Electrical Engineering at National Tsing Hua University (Taiwan)
Contact
cyushen@unm.edu
Ben Narushof
BS Civil Engineering, UNM 2020
Contact
bnarushof@unm.edu
Research Interests
Transportation Engineering
Soamiya Afroz Chavez
BS Civil Engineering, UNM 2020
BS Architectural Technology, City University of New York 2010
Contact
Email: somie182@unm.edu
Research interests
Augmented Reality in structural analysis
Brian Bleck
BS, Computer Science, UNM
BA, Architecture UNM, BA Economics UNM
J.D. Law (Washington & Lee University School of Law)
Contact
bbleck@unm.edu
Liu Bideng, PhD, PE
Visiting Scholar, Assistant Professor on leave from the Chinese Institute of Disaster Prevention, Beijing, China
PhD, Civil Engineering, Institute of Engineering Mechanics(IEM),China Earthquake Administration, 2011
BS, Civil Engineering, Shijiazhuang Tiedao University(STU), 2006
Contact
Email- liubideng
Guo Xiaoyun, PhD
Visiting scholar, Associate Professor on leave from the Chinese Institute of Disaster Prevention, Beijing, China
PhD, Civil Engineering, Institute of Engineering Mechanics (IEM), China Earthquake
Administration, 2011
MS, Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin, China, 2007
BS, Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, China, 2005
Contact
gxy@cidp.edu.cn
Travis Taylor
MS student in Electrical Engineering, Systems and Controls emphasis, UNM
BE in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Alabama, 2016
Contact
twtaylor@unm.edu
Shreya Vemuganti
Graduate Research Assistant (PhD)
MS, Civil Engineering, University of New Mexico, 2015
BS, Civil Engineering, Chaitanya Bharati Institute of Technology – Osmania University, 2014
Contact
Email- svemuganti@unm.edu
Jose A. Gomez Romero-Salazar
Graduate Research Assistant (MS)
BS, Industrial Engineering, Carlos III University of Madrid (Spain), 2015
Contact
Email- jalbertogomez@unm.edu
Sam Biggs
Undergrad Research Assistant (BSCE)
BS Civil Engineering, UNM
Contact
Email- sbiggs01@unm.edu
Parya Nickbeen
MS Civil Engineering, UNM
BS Industrial Engineering, Iran 2011
Contact
Email- pnickbeen@unm.edu
Michael E Schuh 
Graduate Research Assistant (MS)
Mechanical Engineering, UNM
Contact
mschuh2@unm.edu
Desirae Lujan, P.E.
BS, Civil Engineering, Minor in Mathematics, New Mexico State University 2002
MS, Civil Engineering, UNM 2019
Contact
desirae.lujan@lacnm.us
Tony Lampert
MEng Civil Engineering, UNM 2019
High School Alumni
Aldo Morellialdo
UNM SMILab High School Research Assistant, Bosque School
Contact
aldo.morelli777@gmail.com
Research Interests
Augmented Reality, Operational Calculus
Nehan Tarefder
SMILab High School Research Assistant
Contact
nehantarefder@gmail.com
Research Interests
Augmented Reality, Robotics, Cybersecurity
Malak Elbaz
SMILab High School Research Assistant
Contact
malak.elbaz@menaulschool.net
Research Interests
Augmented Reality & Game Development
Angel Mancera
UNM SMILab High School Intern, Colegio Integral El Avila
Experience
Received rising star mention at Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes course on the area of civil engineering. Also attended classes on Steel Design and Construction at UNM
Contact
Phone number: +58 424 2010543
Email: angel.mancera@elavila.org
Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Finance
Emmanuel Rivas
UNM SMILAB High School Intern
Computer Engineering, Nanotechnology
Juliet Sturge
UNM SMILAB High School Intern, Sandia High School
Sustainable Energy, Smart Sensors, Earthquake Engineering, and Robotics
Selene Diaz Martinez 
UNM SMILAB High School Intern, Menaul High School
Smart Sensing, Biomedical Engineering
Brian Bishop
UNM SMILAB High School Intern
Prospective major in Mechanical or Civil Engineering
Erik I. Moreno
UNM SMILAB High School Intern, School of Dreams Academy
Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering and Architecture, UNM
Clayton Bliss
UNM SMILAB High School Intern, St. Pius X High School
Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University