Alumni

Maria Torres Arango

Doctoral
Materials Science and Engineering

Maria Torres Arango joined the FEST group in August 2014. She was pursuing her doctoral degree in mechanical engineering and conducted research in materials science. Arango earned her M.S. in aerospace engineering at WVU in August 2013. Her research focused on nano-functional materials for energy conversion and development of sustainable technologies. Teaching and mentoring other students is Arango's way to contribute to their development. She also enjoys sharing her culture and traditions. In her free time she enjoys traveling, cooking and ballet dancing.

Domenic Cipollone

Doctoral
Materials Science and Engineering

Domenic Cipollone is a second-year graduate student pursuing his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering as a University Provost Fellow. His research focuses on the development of solution based inks compatible with additive manufacturing for various applications, ranging from biomedical implants to energy devices. Domenic’s previous research experience has been realized through an undergraduate fellowship from the WV Space Grant Consortium, the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience program offered at WVU, and at FORTH and the Univ. of Crete. In his free time, Domenic enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, reading books, and finally, watching cooking videos by the famed Gennaro Contaldo.

Nathan Owen

Masters
Mechanical Engineering

Nathan Owen is a first-year graduate student pursuing his master’s in mechanical engineering. He graduated with a B.S. from West Virginia University in 2019. His research focuses on applications of soft robotics in robotic systems. Nathan’s previous experience has been in robotic competitions where he has manufactured 3 first place designs for the WVU senior design team. Such as MIDAS I-II-III and MMR16 for RASC-AL. In his free time, Nathan enjoys yoga, cooking, videogames, and building small robots for fun.

John Burke

Masters
Mechanical Engineering

John Burke is a first-year master’s candidate in Mechanical Engineering with a technical area in Materials Science. John graduated from West Virginia University in 2021 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and began working with Dr. Sierros in Spring 2019 as a member of WVU’s Microgravity Research Team. His undergraduate research in the FEST Lab has included the investigation of printing TiO2 ceramic foams and exfoliated graphene dispersions. John has also assisted in the development of semi-analytic models of carbon fiber thermal-field emitters for high-powered-microwave technologies as an AFRL Phillips Scholar in the summer of 2020. These previous experiences were made possible through the WV Space Grant Consortium, WVU SURE, and the AFRL Scholars Program. John is currently supporting the lab’s NASA EPSCoR funded project, working on the development of a multimaterial microreactor-enabled, single nozzle direct-ink-writing system for the manufacturing of pneumatically controlled soft robotics for space applications. Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-burke-a60282146/

Anirudh Tirunahari

Masters
Mechanical Engineering

Anirudh Tirunahari earned his MBA degree from WVU in 2014 and is currently pursuing his masters in mechanical engineering. He joined the FEST lab in Fall 2015 and is researching the fabrication and characterization of large area graphene from solutions for applications in electronics. In his free time he enjoys playing volleyball, ping pong, video games, reading history books and watching sports.

Christine Hernandez

Undergraduate
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Christine Hernández is pursuing a dual degree in Mechanical and Aerospace engineering and minoring in Spanish. She joined the FEST group in August of 2018 to gain experience in material science research and 3D printing technology. Her research consists of using the Japanese art of paper cutting, kirigami, and polydimethylsiloxane to develop soft actuators. Christine is also a part of WVU Experimental Rocketry and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. When not in the lab, she enjoys watching Premier League soccer and reading.

Jared Beard

Masters
Mechanical Engineering

Jared is currently pursuing a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. Spring 2018, he received his BS in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Physics. His research experience consists of an undergraduate research fellowship from the WV Space Grant consortium (to study the potential of 3D printing solar cells), time with FORTH at the Univ. of Crete, Heraklion (studying gas sensing capabilities of ceramics) and work done as a Goldwater Scholar. His research focus is in the development of robotic systems to improve manufacturing and materials design processes. Jared is involved with several student organizations at WVU, amongst which are MA, MRS, and 3D Printing Club. His free time is spent reading, playing tennis, and working on various personal projects.

Jason Gibson

Undergraduate
Aerospace Engineering

Jason graduated with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Physics and computer science. His research experience consists of an undergraduate research fellowship from the WV Space Grant consortium (to study the photocatalytic properties of Manganese oxide based foams) and time with FORTH at the Univ. of Crete, Heraklion (studying large scale manufacturing techniques of Zinc oxide and Manganese oxide composites). Jason is involved with several student organizations and clubs at WVU, among which are MRS and the Brazilian jiu-jitsu club. His free time is spent teaching group exercise classes at the student rec center, hiking and reading.

Lynnora Grant

Undergraduate
Mechanical Engineering

Lynnora Grant received her B.S. in mechanical engineering in Spring 2017. As a member of the FEST lab, she has contributed to research on graphene ink development for optoelectronics and titanium dioxide ink development for solar cells and biomedical applications. Grant has served as the president and the programs chair for WVU's chapter of NSBE. She was also involved in other organizations including LSAMP, MA/MRS and the McNair Scholars Program. During her free time Grant enjoys singing and playing the guitar.

Murithi David Kem

Undergraduate
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

David graduated with an undergraduate dual degree in Mechanical and Aerospace engineering. He’s been a member of the FEST lab since 2017 to attain materials research experience. His research experience in the FEST lab consists of fabrication of perovskite solar cells and kirigami inspired polydimethylsiloxane direct ink written print patterns for soft actuators. His research experience also includes an international undergraduate research program, the International Research Experience for Students (IRES) in the University of Crete in Greece. He is also a member of the Kentucky - West Virginia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (KY-WV LSAMP) and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Outside research, David enjoys painting, drawing, animating, gaming and watching European football.

Claudio Marchi

Doctoral
Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Claudio Marchi received a B.S. (2014) and a M.S. (2017) in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology from Politecnico di Milano (Italy). He’s currently a PhD student in Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Engineering in Politecnico di Milano. His research is focused on the production of flexible gas sensors on textiles. He joined FEST lab in 2020 as a Visiting Scholar. In his free time he enjoys cooking, hiking, playing basketball and videogames.

Iole Pecora

Doctoral
Aerospace Engineering

Iole Pecora joined the FEST group in January 2018. She is pursuing a Ph.D in Aerospace Engineering. Her research is focused on the study of 3-D printed TiO2 foams for space application. She is involved in the study of coarsening of two-dimensional foam and modeling. Iole received a masters in Mechanical Engineering at West Virginia University working as a graduate research assistant. During her masters she worked on finite element simulation of confined inflatable structures. She received a bachelor degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Naples Federico II (Italy) working on Aircraft control and simulation with an advanced 6-degree-of-freedom flight simulator. Iole also worked as a structural engineer for a private Italian Company operating in the aeronautical engineering field prior to coming to the US. In her free time Iole enjoys traveling, watching movies, readings books, visiting museums and she adores the theater. She loves running and most of all practicing ballet (she has a diploma in ballet).

Nick Strogen

Undergraduate
Mechanical Engineering

Nick Strogen joined the FEST group in January of 2017 and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His research experience includes time spent in Greece with the University of Crete working on cost effective synthesizing of nanoparticles. He was awarded the undergraduate fellowship from the WVU NASA Space Grant Consortium in the spring of 2017 to study the 3D printing of energy harvesting inks for possible extraterrestrial use. He has also assisted on projects in the FEST lab consisting of the 3D printing multifunctional inks. Nick is also a part of the MA/MRS club at WVU. In his spare time Nick enjoys playing various sports including basketball, tennis, golf, and skiing.

Kerwin Moreland

Undergraduate
Mechanical Engineering

Kerwin Moreland is currently a mechanical engineering student. He recently completed work as a research fellow through the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium. His work focused on 3D printing PN junctions for customizable electronic devices. He is also president of the 3D printing and design club, treasurer of the material advantage/ material research society, and is active in other activities happening within the Statler College. In his free time, he enjoys designing personal projects, reading and playing frisbee.

Jacob Riddell

Masters
Mechanical Engineering

Jacob graduated with a B.S. from Bethany College, WV, in 2016, majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Physics. He is now pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at WVU. Jacob’s research focuses on solar energy and coatings, and he is currently investigating variations in zirconia colloids for the insulating layer of perovskite solar cells. Jacob’s hobbies include video games, movies, sports, and traveling.

Dillon Carden

Undergraduate
Mechanical Engineering

Dillon Carden studied Mechanical Engineering at WVU, with minors in Spanish and Nanotechnology. His research involved piezoelectric-based nanostructures for flexible and stretchable haptics. Applications range from robotics to portable devices to non-invasive surgery. During his free time, he really enjoys learning different languages, spending time getting to know exchange students at the International Dorm, as well as playing sports and video games.

Sean Cronin

Masters
Mechanical Engineering

Sean Cronin received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from WVU in 2011. He worked for CSM Instruments, as an intern, performing various surface characterization experiments, such as nanoindentation and nanoscratch. Cronin went on to pursue a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from WVU which he successfully completed in 2013. His research interests included wet chemical growth, dip pen nanolithography, film transfer, flexible piezoelectric sensor development and tribology. In his free time, he enjoys playing ice hockey, snowboarding and golfing.

Sai Suvineeth Ramayanam

Masters
Mechanical Engineering

Sai Suvineeth Ramayanam received his Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at WVU with his research focused on the tribological and surface characterization of graphene for microelectromechanical systems and nanofluidic applications. Ramayanam was the vice president of the Indian Student Association at WVU and also a member of the WVU Cricket Team. During his free time, he enjoys reading, cooking and playing video games.

Olatunde Ayodeji Abidakun

Doctoral
Mechanical Engineering

Olatunde Ayodeji Abidakun received a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering (2004) from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (Nigeria) and an M.Sc in mechanical engineering (2010) from Obafemi Awolowo University (Nigeria). He then obtained his Ph.D in mechanical engineering from WVU. Abidakun's research interests include 3-D direct writing, tribology and flexible electronic devices with applications in bio-nanotechnology, energy harvesting and conservation, and displays. He enjoys playing table tennis, playing and watching soccer and swimming to relax.

Alana Andrade

Alana Andrade attended the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Bahia (Brazil) as an undergraduate to study Chemical Engineering. She studied Chemical Engineering at WVU as an exchange student through the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program. Her research focused on low temperature sintering of titanium dioxide based inks for use in optoelectronic devices for sustainable applications, Flexible Dye-Sensitive Solar Cells in particular. In her free time, she likes to play volleyball and watch movies.