Arvind Balijepalli
Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering
Research: Physically accurate simulations of optical trapping for micro and nano-assembly, Measurement techniques to quantify the optical trapping forces acting on nanoparticles experimentally, Electromagnetic calculations of optical trapping forces from first principles, verification of assembly techniques developed for optical tweezers
NIST, Gaithersburg, MD  |  301.405-0436 | arvind.balijepalli@nist.gov

Wojciech Bejgerowski
Ph.D Student in Mechanical Engineering
Research: In-mold assembly, Thermally conductive filled polymers
1110 J.M. Patterson Building, Building 083
301.405.0436 | wojbej@umd.edu

Sagar Chowdhury
Ph.D Student in Mechanical Engineering
Research: Indirect optical manipulation of cells using optical tweezers
0113 Engineering Annex Building, Building 093
301.405.6572 | sagar353@umd.edu

James Hopkins
Ph.D. Student in Mechanical Engineering
Research: Design and fabrication of a high speed snake-inspired robot, Design and realization of a rectilinear gait for high speed snake-inspired robot, System optimization of high speed snake-inspired robot
AIR-4.4.2.2 Mechanical Systems Engineering
301.342.0873 | james.k.hopkins@navy.mil

Yongsik Kim
Ph.D. Student in Mechanical Engineering
Research: Fiber Optics Interferometer for MEMS Application
MEL Lab, National Institute for Standards and Technology
301.975.8081 | yong@cme.nist.gov

Atul Thakur
Ph.D. Student in Mechanical Engineering
Research: Model simplification for interactive virtual environments, Obtain interactive refresh rates in visualization and haptic channels of virtual environments while maintaining simulation fidelity
0113 Engineering Annex Building, Building 093
301.405.6572 | atul.thakur@gmail.com| Personal Website

Shang Wei
Ph.D. Student in Mechanical Engineering
Research: Assembly simulation in virtual environment, Virtual Manufacturing
0113 Engineering Annex Building, Building 093
301.405.6572 | shangwei@umd.edu

Alexander Weissman
Ph.D. Student in Mechanical Engineering
Research: Design for Environment and Life Cycle Assessment, Semantic reasoning for requirements modeling, Automated process planning, Mesh-based comparison
0113 Engineering Annex Building, Building 093
301.405.6572

Jorge Diaz
M.S. Student in Mechanical Engineering
Research: Learn about emerging manufacturing processes, Quality assurance and reliability, Engineering design, mechanical design, optimization, risk analysis, Engineering decision making, project management, cost estimation
Eaton Aerospace, Beltsville, MD
(202) 412-0374 | JorgeIDiaz@eaton.com  |  yadiana@umd.edu

John Gerdes
M.S. Student in Mechanical Engineering
Research: Miniature ornithopter flight, Compliant wing mechanism
1110 J.M. Patterson Building, Building 083
301.405.0436 | jgerdes@umd.edu

Tim Hall
M.S. Student in Mechanical Engineering
Research: Polymer Heat Exchangers, Thermally Conductive Filled Polymers, Advanced Injection Molding
0113 Engineering Annex Building, Building 093
804.869.2218 | timrhall@umd.edu

Li Jen Chang
B.S. Student in Mechanical Engineering
Research: Micro-sized butterfly robot, Bird-inspired robot
1110 J.M. Patterson Building, Building 083
301.405.0436 | ljchang@umd.edu

Martin Petrov
B.S. Student in Computer Science
0113 Engineering Annex Building, Building 093
301.405.6572  |  martin@martinpetrov.com

Curtis Sharkey
B.S./M.S. Student in Mechanical Engineering
Research: Improvement of mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites, Evaluating material properties and failure mechanisms of lightweight composite materials
1110 J.M. Patterson Building, Building 083
301.405.0436 | csharkey@umd.edu

Lara Schloss
B.S. Student
1110 J.M. Patterson Building, Building 083
301.405.0436

Leicester Ehrlich
Intern
lester.ehrlich@gmx.net