Center Directory
Faculty
 Dr. Jianzhi Li |
Director Dr. James Li is the Professor at UTRGV. He received his doctoral degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas Technology University. Dr. Li has 20+ years of leadership and research experiences in the areas of advanced manufacturing and materials, focusing on laser material processing, additive manufacturing, process modelling and optimization, composite materials, sustainable manufacturing, and logistics. As the director of the consortium, Dr. Li supports research, innovation, and education programs at three consortium institutions to support talent needs in Defense Manufacturing. jianzhi.li@utrgv.edu |
 Dr. Farid Ahmed |
Dr. Farid Ahmed is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Victoria. His research interests include additive manufacturing processes and applications, convergent manufacturing, laser material processing, sensing technologies for monitoring applications in advanced manufacturing, and printed electronics. farid.ahmed@utrgv.edu |
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Dr. Douglas Timmer |
Dr. Douglas Timmer is currently a professor in Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering at UTRGV. He received his Ph.D. degree from Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M in 1994. Some of his research areas are Education Research, Applied Statistics, Design of Experiments, Process Modeling, and Statistical Quality Control. |
 Dr. Benjamin Peters |
Dr. Peters is currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Texas-Pan American in May 2011. In August 2014, he graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American with two Masters of Science in Manufacturing Engineering with focuses in Systems Engineering and Engineering Management. Following graduation, he attended the Georgia Institute of Technology. While at Georgia Tech, he developed multiple frameworks that process information-rich, but spatially large data structures for monitoring the health of industrial assets from fields such as: automotive, gas turbine, and aviation. In December 2021, he graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with my Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering. benjamin.peters01@utrgv.edu |
 Dr. Yangyang Long |
Dr. Yangyang Long is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He finished his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Leibniz University Hanover, and Master’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering from The University of Texas-Pan American. His research interests include additive manufacturing, materials science, electronic packaging, ultrasonic joining and welding, piezo- and ultrasonic technologies, and sustainable manufacturing. |
 Dr. AMM Nazmul Ahsan |
Dr. AMM Nazmul Ahsan is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering at UTRGV. He received his Ph.D. degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from North Dakota State University in 2019. Before that he completed his master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from the same university. His research interests include additive manufacturing process modeling, simulation, and optimization, machine learning enabled in-situ manufacturing process monitoring and control, new process development, and robotic manufacturing. He received the Outstanding Early-Career Faculty Award 2021 in the College of Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University. He is a recipient of Chancellor's Gold Medal and Prime Minister’s Gold Medal Awards at the undergraduate level. |
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Dr. Ahmed Bendaouia |
Dr. Ahmed Bendaouia holds a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision for Industry 4.0. He has developed an innovative AI-based solution for operational excellence in mineral processing and has authored numerous publications in esteemed journals and conferences, showcasing his contributions to advancing the field. He has collaborated with leading institutions in Germany, Italy, France, and Morocco. Dr. Bendaouia was recognized by ResearchGate for achieving a top 1% Research Interest Score globally for 2023 first publishers. He is currently a Postdoctoral Scholar at UTRGV, specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twin technologies, with a focus on applications in the manufacturing industry and robotics.
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Dr. Fenfen Wang |
Dr. Fenfen Wang is a newly appointed Postdoctoral Scholar at UTRGV, serving as a visiting assistant professor and researcher. She earned her Ph.D. in Mechanics from Case Western Reserve University and brings extensive expertise in the experimental operations of lithium-ion battery (LIB) fabrication, spanning coin cell to pouch cell formats. Her experience includes electrode material synthesis, electrode processing, electrolyte formulation research and development, battery testing, and advanced data analysis. Dr. Wang has successfully led numerous research projects, showcasing her leadership and deep technical knowledge in the field. |
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Dr. Monsuru Ramoni |
Dr. Monsuru Ramoni is a newly appointed professor at UTRGV. He holds M.S. degrees in Manufacturing Engineering and Management from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, and in Industrial Engineering from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. He earned his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Texas Tech University, Lubbock. Dr. Ramoni's research focuses on additive manufacturing, material characterization, and engineering education. He is actively engaged in leading STEM outreach initiatives aimed at underrepresented communities. Dr. Ramoni has secured funding from NASA, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). |
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Dr. Nadim Zgheib |
Dr. Nadim Zgheib is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). He earned his Ph.D. through a collaborative program between the University of Florida and the Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse (INPT) in France. His research centers on turbulent multiphase flows, encompassing areas such as fluid-sediment and fluid-structure interactions, airborne dispersal, frost formation in complex geometries, ice accretion on airfoils using turbulence- and droplet-informed simulations, and the dynamics of offshore renewable energy structures. |
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Dr. Mostafa Malki |
Dr. Mostafa Malki is a long-standing professor at UTRGV, specializing in business development and entrepreneurship. As a visionary leader, he oversees two prominent organizations. He serves as the Executive Director for Business Development at America’s Additive Foundry, part of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation and Cyber Systems, where he drives innovation and growth in the manufacturing sector. Additionally, he is the co-founder of Aaron Economic Consulting, which provides economic consulting services to private corporations, municipalities, and government entities. The firm specializes in economic impact studies, site selection, tax abatement, and incentive packages, supporting strategic decision-making and economic development initiatives. |
