SCHOOL OF
ENGINEERING & COMPUTING UPDATE
FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2025
OUR PURPOSE
To help our students on their path to a better future and towards becoming the best version of themselves, in service to one another and for the greater good.
OUR MISSION
To provide every student with a rigorous technical education, infused with humanities and liberal arts, anchored on the principles of Ignatian Pedagogy (IPP), and aimed at developing hearts and minds with a sense of social justice and with a strong interior life.
uring these turbulent times in higher education, we remain true to our goal of delivering an engineering and computer science education that imprints a sense of social justice in each of our students. Through a culture of accompaniment and encounter, we aspire for our students to use their talents and skills to develop technical innovations to alleviate some of society’s greatest problems. More than ever before, we need graduates with this Jesuit charism.
I am thrilled to share with you news of our latest recognition at the school: The Michael P. Zabinski, PhD, Department of Mechanical Engineering! This department naming honors the enduring legacy and contributions of Dr. Zabinski, a pillar in our community for more than 55 years and one of the founders of our current School of Engineering and Computing. We also pay homage to alumna Ellie Hawthorne ’85, MA’88, who honored her late father and industry titan Earl W. Brinkman through a gift, to ensure a skills-based education remains central to our curriculum.
Also in this issue, I invite you to discover how our undergraduate engineering researchers are working alongside faculty in our labs, making advancements in their fields of study. Researchers under Drs. Isaac Macwan and Naser Haghbin represented us at the Biomedical Engineering Society meetings, while the Community-Situated Biomechanics Lab led by Dr. John Drazan extended its research collaboration with high school students in Bridgeport, Conn. Additionally, the undergraduate researchers modeling high-speed flow through the excitation of acetone being conducted in Dr. David Shekhtman’s non-intrusive laser lab have achieved validation of some of their models and are now developing a nextgeneration wind tunnel.
We welcome our newest faculty member in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dr. Ana Estrada, who comes from Yale University where she specialized in cardiac mechanics. You can read about her latest trip with a student group to the Society of Women in Engineering convention in Chicago on page 9.
I trust you will enjoy this Update and that it will show, in more ways than one, how we continue our mission of educating engineers with a higher purpose
ENGINEERING & COMPUTING
Andres Leonardo Carrano, PhD
Dean & Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Harvey Hoffman, EdD
Associate Dean
Mirco Speretta, PhD
Associate Dean
Jessica Guarneri, MS
Assistant Dean
Uma Balaji, PhD
Chair, Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering
Shahrokh Etemad, PhD Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Interim Chair, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Mirco Speretta, PhD Director, Cybersecurity and Data Science
Phil Maroney Director of Development
Sara Colabella ’08, MA’11 Associate Director Integrated Marketing
Jeannine Graf ’87, MFA’25 University Editorial Director
Nancy (Gelston) Dobos ’91 Designer
Send Inquiries to: School of Engineering Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road Fairfield, CT 06824-5195
203-254-4147 fairfield.edu/engineering
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Engineering Students
Participating in One or More Industry Internships
3 Engineering Students Participate in Undergraduate Research OUT OF
FAIRFIELD ENGINEERING HONORS
MICHAEL ZABINSKI, Ph D, FOR 55 YEARS OF SERVICE
This fall, the School of Engineering and Computing commemorated a remarkable milestone in the life and legacy of Professor Michael P. Zabinski, PhD.
After 55 years of teaching, inspiring, and leading innovation in engineering education, the University officially named its Mechanical Engineering Department in his honor — making it the first named academic department at Fairfield. The name unveiling ceremony marked not only a celebration of Dr. Zabinski’s career but also of his enduring influence on generations of students, faculty, and the engineering profession itself.
step that underscored his commitment to sparking interest in engineering and computing among young people.
Andres Leonardo Carrano, PhD, dean of the School of Engineering and Computing, began the ceremony by noting that the venue, the Bannow Science Center, was where Dr. Zabinski taught his very first course in thermodynamics in 1969, setting in motion a legacy that would shape Fairfield’s engineering program for decades. Sharing stories of those early years, Dr. Carrano illustrated how the professor’s dedication and passion established the high standards that still define Fairfield’s Mechanical Engineering Department.
“Dr. Zabinski has been a true pioneer, laying the groundwork for Fairfield’s now-thriving engineering program,” said Provost Christine Siegel, PhD, as she highlighted his groundbreaking initiatives, including the creation of the 3+2 engineering program, which allowed students to study at Fairfield for three years before transferring to institutions like University of Connecticut and Columbia University to complete their degrees. This program not only expanded Fairfield’s reach but also opened up new pathways for aspiring engineers.
Dr. Zabinski’s achievements extend beyond higher education; he founded the National Computer Camp in 1978 — the first summer program in the U.S. to introduce middle and high school students to computer technology — a visionary
University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, spoke of Dr. Zabinski’s influence on Fairfield’s modern Jesuit mission, which integrates the liberal arts with the disciplines essential for the 21st century, such as engineering and computer science. He commended Dr. Zabinski for translating Fairfield’s values into a curriculum that bridges tradition and innovation, equipping students with both the ethical grounding and technical expertise needed in today’s world. “Our challenge,” said Dr. Nemec, “is to carry our 500-year tradition forward, and there’s no better symbol of that tradition than this newly named department.”
Dr. Zabinski’s own remarks were both humble and inspiring. He introduced his family, reminisced about colleagues, and spoke warmly of the students whose curiosity and dedication fueled his passion for teaching. He credited the University for allowing him to pursue research, write textbooks, and mentor generations of students. “I am privileged to have worked at Fairfield, a place that truly cherishes academic freedom and excellence,” he said.
“Fairfield Engineering indeed has a very bright future,” Dr. Zabinski said, envisioning a future building with stateof-the-art facilities. “I foresee a School of Engineering that encourages creativity with programs that integrate classroom learning with hands-on projects, research opportunities, and partnerships with industry.”
The Michael P. Zabinski, PhD Department of Mechanical Engineering stands as a testament to one professor’s tireless dedication and transformative influence on Fairfield’s engineering school. For students and faculty members who walk its halls — today and in the years to come — Dr. Zabinski’s vision and perseverance is a legacy that will continue to inspire. l S
ABOVE: Professor Michael P. Zabinski, PhD, stands proudly in front of the sign for the newly named department.
RIGHT: Dr. Zabinski attended the unveiling with his family; Provost Christine Siegel, PhD, spoke at the ceremony.
Photos by Fairfield University Media Center
Lasers, Hypersonics, and the Next Big Thing
Exploring acetone excitation for nonintrusive laser diagnostics of high-speed flow may sound pretty abstract, but it’s actually a simple concept, insists David Shekhtman, PhD, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.
“Think about the steam coming up from a cup of coffee; that’s a flow tracer. That is, you can see the flow of the gas, so you know how fast it is moving. In our lab, I’m working with students to create a more accurate flow speed measurement.”
Traditional methods of measuring flow velocity include injecting particles (glass beads or smoke particles, for example) into a fluid to visualize and measure speed. But the particles don’t move with the flow as they should, so the scientific community has been moving away from this method, looking for one that is not hampered by the limitations of drag. Using the gas itself, said Dr. Shekhtman, allows researchers to measure far more accurate flow speed.
With the grant he was awarded from NASA in 2023, Dr. Shekhtman has been using a 266-nm laser to excite the molecules in acetone, an atomic process that causes fluorescence. The acetone is then injected into a fluid so that its movement, or flow, can be captured on a camera with timing equipment that has an accuracy of nanoseconds.
Dr. Shekhtman predicts that eventually, this method will be used to validate computational fluid models for turbulence. “NASA is specifically looking towards the commercialization of hypersonic technology,” he said. “This could potentially help with the design of hypersonic aircraft or antimissile hypersonic bullets.” NASA, he noted, is involved in aeronautics as well as space; objects to be tested include those that work at flight altitude.
A former student of Dr. Shekhtman’s, Tim Keenoy MS’24, explained further, “When you get up to really high speeds,
“NASA
is specifically looking towards the commercialization of hypersonic technology. This could potentially help with the design of hypersonic aircraft or antimissile hypersonic bullets.”
pressure builds up and temperature rises, and you get extreme heat — the kind of heat that can melt an aircraft. But if you are able to create an accurate measurement, you can map the velocity, know where to worry about heat buildup, and can address it.” Inspired by their work together, Keenoy is currently pursuing a PhD with a focus on hypersonic technology at New Jersey’s Stevens Institute of Technology.
At Fairfield, mechanical engineering major Emily Alfonso Olmos ’27 is continuing the research with Dr. Shekhtman. She’s looking forward to the next step in the project: the building of a wind tunnel that can release gas at a rate of 1,000 to 2,000 meters per second.
The wind tunnel — consisting of a pressurized pipe, a nozzle that expands the flow, and a test section to receive the pressurized gas and conduct the flow diagnostics — is needed to generate the flow field. Dr. Shekhtman is currently working on the wind tunnel design, which he submitted to NASA with the hope of securing a grant to build it. l S
TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE
Imagine you’re a prospective student stepping into Fairfield’s Bannow Science Center for the first time, excitement and curiosity buzzing in the air. Your guide for the afternoon is Jackal — not your typical tour leader, but a small, unassuming figure who seems to know everything about the building. Jackal navigates with ease, offering insights at every turn. When a lab issue temporarily shuts down a corridor, Jackal doesn’t miss a beat. A quick reroute, and you’re back on track, heading toward the next stop on your tour.
But here’s the twist: Jackal isn’t human. This guide is actually a Jackal Unmanned Ground Vehicle — a compact, two-foot-long, 20-pound robot with a mind programmed for precision. Designed to move seamlessly through Bannow and beyond, Jackal’s purpose goes beyond tours. With ongoing programming, Jackal is being trained to traverse not just Bannow’s corridors but eventually the entire campus, redefining what it means to explore Fairfield.
“Our aim is to program Jacky, as we call him, to autonomously navigate the corridors of Bannow using a mix of advanced technology, including GPS, LiDAR sensors, and RGB cameras,” explained research assistant William Ehlers ’27, a computer science and finance double major who is working with Sidike Paheding, PhD, assistant professor and principal investigator of the AI Lab. Ehlers’ job is to ensure the upkeep and progression of Jacky’s wireless systems, the advancement of its sensors, and to facilitate the integration of AI algorithms.
“With the machine learning algorithm, Jacky should be able to conduct tours of the school in a year or two,” he projected.
Though unmanned robots are not new (think Roombas and aerial drones), this work in the AI Lab gives students an opportunity to take theoretical classroom knowledge and put it to use in a practical manner. “Our goal is not about revolutionizing the mechanics of how a robot operates,” Dr. Paheding said. “It’s about the actions we want to embed in the robot. By leveraging advancements in AI, we are striving for greater precision in perceiving and responding to its surroundings.”
Unmanned robots like Jacky will have practical applications
in the future, said Dr. Paheding. Take a building collapse, for example. In that case, “a search and rescue robot could use SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology to create a map of the remnants of the building, and with optical sensors and AI algorithms detect and localize any life form so that rescuers could pinpoint that person exactly.” That scenario is just five years away, he predicted. Advancing the capabilities of robots to self-navigate in real-world environments paves the way for innovations in industries such as logistics and environmental monitoring, as well as search and rescue, he said. It won’t be long before robots will be able to interact more with humans—including the ability to chat, understand natural language commands, and respond to voice inputs. l S
ABOVE: With ongoing programming, Jackal is being trained to traverse the entire campus.
Photo by Fairfield University Media Center
David Shekhtman, PhD
RIGHT: David Shekhtman, PhD and Emily Alfonso Olmos ’27 work on their research in the new lab
Photo by Fairfield University Media Center
DR. DRAZAN CONNECTS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES WITH SPORTS SCIENCE
Last year, the Community-Situated Biomechanics Lab led by assistant professor of biomedical engineering John Drazan, PhD, initiated an exciting collaboration with alumnus William King MA’15, now a teacher and coach at Central High School in Bridgeport, Conn. The partnership began with a week-long summer research program that welcomed King and 12 of his student-athletes into the lab to perform research at the intersection of sports and science. “The students loved it,” said Dr. Drazan, “and a subset of them continued working with me throughout the school year to perform sports science engagement programs in Bridgeport.”
Building on that success, this summer saw the return of four of those students as paid research assistants in Dr. Drazan’s lab. Their responsibilities went beyond their own research; they were also tasked with preparing and delivering a one-week summer research experience for 15 underclass students from Central High School.
“Each high school mentor led a research group that identified an elite athlete and spent the week performing sports science research to understand elite sports performance,” Dr. Drazan said. Using force sensing insole technology, they collected data on Achilles tendon loading during recreational basketball activities. With the help of Fairfield undergraduate researchers, they then processed this data with Microsoft Excel and MATLAB’s coding software, culminating their work in a research poster that will be presented alongside the Fairfield undergraduates’ findings.
The impact of the program was felt deeply by both the high school and the college students. “This experience inspired me
to pursue a career in electrical engineering,” said high school senior Gabriel Vargas.
Undergraduate Matthew Manduca ’25 noted that the project reshaped his perspective on engineering outreach and deepened his appreciation for his studies and the opportunity to share them with others.
Dr. Drazan’s research initiative not only opens doors for future collaborations between Fairfield and local educational institutions but also offers younger students a taste of the collaborative academic environment that Fairfield fosters. l S
LEFT: Students from Bridgeport’s Central High School worked in the lab of John Drazan, PhD, evaluating the elite sports performance of some of their favorite athletes.
RIGHT: The high school students, guided by Fairfield undergraduates, used loadsol technology to gather data on Achilles tendon loading.
by Fairfield University Media Center
Photos
Conference HIGHLIGHTS
Biomedical Engineering Society
Faculty and Students Present CuttingEdge Research at BMES Annual Meeting in Baltimore
Engineering students and faculty presented cutting-edge research at the 2024 Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, this past October. Among the presenters were Associate Professor Isaac Macwan, PhD, Assistant Professor John Drazan, PhD, Elia Haghbin ’26, Leslie Abbott ’25, Ryan Jaworski ’25, Zuzanna Janusz ’27, and Luke Bornstein ’25.
Dr. Macwan, biology major Haghbin, and computer science and biology double-major Abbott shared findings on bacteriorhodopsin — a bacterial protein embedded in a purple membrane —exploring its potential as a biological memory device when combined with graphene and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to create nanofibrous scaffolds for bioelectronics.
Engineering students Jaworski, Janusz, and Bornstein presented a poster titled “A Novel Approach to Enhancing Efficacy in Biomedical Engineering Research Prior to Access to Human Subject Data.” Their work, under the guidance of Dr. Drazan and in partnership with Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Donna Pacicca, MD, of Connecticut Children’s Hospital, focused on limb length discrepancies in pediatrics — a condition in which children’s legs are of unequal length. The conference also highlighted Fairfield’s STEM outreach efforts. Students from Central High School in Bridgeport, Conn. — Titus Graham, Gabrial Vargas, Zi’Ayanna Mason, and G-brown Gervil—presented related summer research conducted with Assistant Professor John Drazan, PhD.
Dr. Macwan described the conference as “a transformative experience for our students, offering a platform to connect with leaders in biomedical engineering, explore cutting-edge research, and ignite their passion for innovation.”
“It’s more than a conference,” he said, “it’s a launchpad for their future and a celebration of their research accomplishments within this field.”
Society of Women Engineers
Strong Presence of Women in Engineering at SWE Conference in Chicago
Charlotte Savigny ’26, along with her engineering peers Irene Kandilas ’25, Donna Ismail ’24, Bella Fuierer ’26, Kylie Wistran ’26, Erin Gibbons ’26, Noor Khattak MS’25, and Ibnath Saboor MS’26, joined assistant professor of biomedical engineering Ana Estrada, PhD, at this year’s Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Conference, a gathering of more than 20,000 female engineers.
Beyond career preparation, the SWE was about embracing their shared identities as women engineers and knowing they were part of a larger, supportive community. The Fairfield students returned home feeling energized and more connected to one another. “The conference was so much more than I imagined,” said Savigny. “We got to network, gain real career skills, and meet other like-minded students. Together, we really did rise.”
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
David Camayo Ocampo ’25 Gains Career Insights at SHPE National Convention in Anaheim
This fall, David Camayo Ocampo ’25 attended the 50th Annual SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers)
National Convention in Anaheim, California, where he
gained invaluable insights into his future career in aerospace.
“Being able to get advice from industry professionals and other students about how to make my future aspirations achievable has made me feel more confident in my goals.”
The SHPE Convention featured sessions on topics like choosing graduate programs and résumé building and provided Ocampo with new tools and perspectives. “My biggest takeaway was the importance of networking and building strong industry connections, especially within the aerospace industry,” he said. “Meeting representatives from companies like Pratt & Whitney helped me understand the potential career paths ahead of me and gave me insight into what qualities and skills are most valued.” l S
FAR LEFT: Isaac Macwan, PhD, Elia Haghbin ’26, and Leslie Abbott ’25 presented research on bacteriorhodopsin; Students from Central High School presented the summer research they conducted with John Drazan, PhD.
ABOVE: Kylie Wistran ’26, Erin Gibbons ’26, Bella Fuierer ’26, Irene Kandilas ’25, and Charlotte Savigny ’26 check out the sites in Chicago.
RIGHT: David Camayo Ocampo ’25 stands outside the convention center in Anaheim, CA
Photos by Kristie Kirstner and contributed
“ Being able to get advice from industry professionals and other students about how to make my future aspirations achievable has made me feel more confident in my goals.”
David Camayo Ocampo ’25
BAJA TEAM RACES TO SUCCESS
This past May, students from across the country converged to compete at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Baja Competition, a high-octane event where teams design, build, and race singleseat, off-road vehicles capable of handling dirt, mud, and rugged terrain. These vehicles must be engineered to meet stringent design rules, adding an extra layer of challenge to the competition.
Among the contenders was Fairfield University’s Baja team, a student-led group that not only gives participants hands-on experience but also prepares them for successful careers after graduation. “The competition builds important connections with peers and opens doors with engineering companies,” said Baja team captain Maximilian Lindeis ’26.
The Fairfield team, guided by Dr. Sriharsha Sundarram, Brinkman Family Foundation Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, included Stephen Borrelli ’25, Adam Chang ’25, Michael Delmonaco ’26, James Doyle ’27, Jack Fetzer ’25, Isabella Fuierer ’26, Alec Gonzalo ’25, Claudia Hepfer ’26, Lili Meddahi ’25, Timothy O’Keefe ’26, Bhupender Pruthi ’26, and Hunter Wackrow ’27. The students collaborated in specialized groups to advance their work. Each group focused on critical aspects of the vehicle like steering, suspension, brakes, chassis, and drivetrain. Using the Innovation Annex as their workshop, the students
researched, sourced, and built the car’s components, adhering strictly to SAE guidelines.
The Baja SAE competition is an annual event that draws hundreds of spectators, eager to see how student teams from the U.S. and Canada push their vehicles to the limit. “The atmosphere is electric,” Lindeis said. “There’s a contagious excitement as anticipation builds through technical inspections, dynamic events, and finally, endurance race day.”
First-timer James Doyle found the experience was unforgettable. “[The] endurance race was my favorite part. During the four-hour race, I helped push cars when they got stuck or restarted engines after a shutdown,” he said. “Being trackside with one of the best views made it one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had.”
For Lili Meddahi, the competition offered an opportunity to step outside her academic comfort zone and gain new skills in mechanics and fabrication. Using her coding expertise, she collaborated with Fetzer to work on the vehicle’s sensors, a crucial element of the team’s endurance race strategy.
Fairfield’s team achieved impressive results, finishing 17th out of 89 teams in the endurance race. “That steep hill was a real challenge,” Lindeis said, describing one of the race’s toughest obstacles. “Standing together, watching the vehicle we worked on all year climb that hill effortlessly — it was a moment of pride for all of us. Just a year ago, it would’ve been impossible.”
The team’s meticulous preparation paid off in other ways too. They passed the engine check with ease, dialed in their suspension alignment, and passed the 4WD test. After tweaking a few things from their first technical inspection, they were ready for the dynamic events, ultimately placing 43rd out of 107 teams overall.
Reflecting on the journey, Meddahi emphasized the team’s collective effort. “The highlight for me was seeing how everyone’s hard work paid off. We all put in countless hours, especially the drivetrain team, with many late nights in the shop. In the end, it was all worth it. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work with.”
Lindeis echoed this sentiment, underscoring the sense of accomplishment: “We were thrilled, knowing that the long nights more than paid off. Seeing proof of our growth in such a dramatic way really tied together the experience for all of us.” l S
The Baja vechicle climbs an incline during competition.
ABOVE FROM LEFT: Fairfield students prepped and tested the baja vehicle prior to competiton.
LEFT:
Photos by Fairfield Baja
BRINKMAN FOUNDATION AWARDS $1.1M DONATION
Fairfield University’s School of Engineering and Computing recently received a $1.1 million gift from the Earl W. and Hildagunda A. Brinkman Foundation, a longstanding supporter of the University. This donation, made in honor of the late Earl W. Brinkman, father of Fairfield alumna and foundation trustee Ellie Hawthorne ’85, MA’88, aims to elevate the Mechanical Engineering Department’s resources, support the Baja Racing Team, and establish Fairfield’s first dedicated scholarships for women in engineering. With this contribution, the Brinkman Foundation’s support of Fairfield University now totals an impressive $2.23 million
“The Brinkman Foundation has been one of the main pillars sustaining our machine tool labs and energizing our student clubs for the last 15 years. The passion that Ellie and Danielle Hawthorne bring for a skills-based engineering education is reinvigorating, and their generosity will ensure that the manufacturing legacy of Mr. Earl W. Brinkman, a titan of his generation, will live on at Fairfield University.” said Dean Andres Leonardo Carrano, PhD.
A significant portion of this donation will fund the Baja Racing Team, Fairfield’s largest engineering student club. This support will enable the team to make critical advancements, including real-time telemetry and diagnostics monitoring and enhanced communication systems between drivers and the pit crew. These upgrades are expected to strengthen the team’s national competitiveness, offering more than 30 students each year invaluable, hands-on experience across various engineering disciplines.
The Brinkman Foundation’s gift will also drive forward Fairfield’s commitment to increasing diversity in STEM by establishing the first permanent scholarship dedicated to women in engineering. This scholarship is a step toward
closing the gender gap in engineering by providing ongoing financial support for women students, encouraging their success throughout their academic journey.
The donation will additionally fund memberships for women engineering students in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), as well as cover travel expenses to key industry events like SME’s Smart Manufacturing and FabTech expos and the SWE Expo. These opportunities will provide Fairfield’s women engineers with invaluable industry exposure and networking opportunities, further supporting equitable entry into the manufacturing sector. l S
“ The Brinkman Foundation has been one of the main pillars sustaining our machine tool labs and energizing our student clubs for the last 15 years.”
the Baja Racing team.
Dean Andres Leonardo Carrano, PhD
LEFT: Ellie Hawthorne ’85, MA’88 met with members from
ABOVE: (l-r) Phil Maroney; Andres Leonardo Carrano, PhD; Sriharsha Sundarram, PhD; Shahrokh Etemad, PhD; Ellie Hawthorne ’85, MA’88; Dominic Figueredo; Kathleen Reed; and Margaret McClure, PhD
Photos by Kristie Kirstner
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETIES
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
Engineers Without Borders (EWB)
Engineering Student Society (ESS)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society)
Upsilon Pi Epsilon (Computing and Information Honor Society)
Order of the Engineer
Making Their Mark
Fairfield is home to the newest chapter of the country’s oldest engineering honor society.
This semester, Fairfield University’s School of Engineering and Computing celebrated a milestone with the establishment of the Connecticut Delta chapter of the prestigious Tau Beta Pi (TBP) engineering honor society.
This achievement is the result of a multi-year effort by students Maeve O’Connell ’25 and Matt Manduca ’25, alongside Susan Freudzon, PhD, assistant professor and director of the Biomedical Engineering program. Their application highlighted Fairfield’s rigorous, ABET-accredited engineering programs and showcased student-led initiatives, such as community service projects and networking events.
Founded in 1885, Tau Beta Pi is the oldest engineering honor society in the U.S., recognizing students who demonstrate both academic achievement and personal integrity.
O’Connell, Manduca, and Dr. Freudzon presented Fairfield’s petition at the TBP annual convention in South Dakota this fall, where it received unanimous approval from more than 300 representatives of TBP chapters nationwide.
The Connecticut Delta chapter will officially launch in spring 2025 with plans for food drives, alumni networking, and community outreach projects. l S
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Rao Dukkipali Scholarship
Nusrat Zahan ’25
Martha Rogers BEI Scholarship
Mariella Aletti ’27
J. Gerald Phelan BEI Scholarship
Zuriel Guerra ’27
David Camayo Ocampo ’25
Alexis Zaveruha Scholarship
Peter Racanello ’26
Society of American Military
Engineers Scholarship
Stephen Borelli ’25
Bridgeport Engineering Institute Scholarship
Emily Alfonso-Olmos ’27
Eric Dillner ’25
Joseph Duszak ’25
Ryan Van Allen ’26
Fairfield County Instrument Society of America Scholarship
Nazli Yaglidere ’27
Bernadette and John Porter Scholarship
Vincenzo Baia ’27
Fatima Chowdhury ’26
Brian Connolly ’27
Daniel Davis ’27
Matthew Donohue ’26
Chayne Howard ’25
Jack Klausner ’25
Arshad Faraz Mirishkari ’26
Vishesh Shitalkumar Patel ’25
Nicole Perugini ’26
Tyler Poulin ’27
Ibnath Saboor ’26
Kely Sanchez ’25
Josue Syvelsaint ’26
Shalin Thomas ’25
Kevin Torrealba ’26
Duvina Vazquez ’26
Nusrat Zahan ’25
Raymond Noreen Engineering
Keenarah George ’26
David Kaminski ’25
Antonio Medina ’25
Maria Pettigrew ’25
Jackson Willis ’27
Accurate Lock and Hardware Cohort
James Bossone ’26
Sarah Dorgan ’26
Charlotte Savigny ’26
(l-r) Matt Manduca ’25, Susan Freudzon, PhD, and Maeve O’Connell ’25 established the Connecticut Delta chapter of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.
EXECUTIVE ADVISORY BOARD
New Members
Jenna Madigan ’22
Advisory Board
Jenna Madigan ’22 is a Fairfield University School of Engineering and Computing graduate with a degree in biomedical engineering and minors in mathematics and health studies. She utilizes her educational background every day as a systems engineer in surgical robotics at Medtronic. This role challenges her to dig deep into her engineering skills to create safe and reliable devices to improve patient outcomes. She is excited to serve on the Advisory Board and share her perspective as a young alumna in industry.
Usman Asif ’08, MS’09
Advisory Board
Usman Asif ’08, MS’09 is the chief engineer for the Army and Air Force programs at Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, where he oversees technical leadership for Black Hawk and Combat Rescue Helicopter Programs, including design, development, testing, and field support. With nearly two decades at Sikorsky, Asif has held leadership roles across engineering, program management, global operations, and supply chain management. His achievements include leading the Sikorsky-Tata joint venture from startup to full production, transitioning S-92 cabin parts from Japan to India, and managing global sourcing projects in India, Poland, Brazil, and the U.S. Asif holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Fairfield University, an MBA from Quinnipiac University, and is a certified LM Six Sigma Black Belt.
CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Robert Sobolewski ’70
President and CEO (retired) ebm-papst
MEMBERS
Usman Asif ’08, MS’09
Chief Engineer for the Army and Air Force Programs, Sikorsky
Michael J. Buckenmeyer ’11
Fellow, National Cancer Institute (NIH)
John E. Butala
Vice President of Technology, O’Keefe Controls Co.
Alicia J. Carroll ’10
Senior Principal IP Counsel, Medtronic
Peter Convertito ’89
Director, Investor Relations, ASML
Frank J. Fanzilli ’78 Director, CommVault
Melissa Fensterstock
Co-Founder, Material Impact
John LaViola
Chief Technology Officer, Tibidabo Scientific Industries
Jenna Madigan ’22
Systems Engineer, Medtronic
Nick Mercadante ’04
Founder and CEO, PursueCare
Tim O’Neil BEI ’84
Senior Director for Advanced Technology Programs, ASML
Reed Salvatore
CEO, Accurate Lock & Hardware
Ronald M. Salvatore ’64
Chairman, Accurate Lock & Hardware
Deacon Patrick Toole Chancellor, Diocese of Bridgeport
Mark Tuck, BEI ’85
VP of Operations and Strategy, Cloudingenuity
Neviana Zhgaba ’11, MS’13
Co-Founder, Aquila’s Nest Vineyards
A SAMPLING OF COMPANIES THAT HIRE FAIRFIELD SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING GRADUATES
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, Connecticut 06824-5195
