People

PREM Director

Victoria Padilla, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Director of the Nanotechnology Center of Excellence
Current PREM Director (2025-present)
Office: EACSB 2.162 C
Phone: (956) 665-5952
victoria.padilla@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

Karen Lozano, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair of the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering
Rice University
Former PREM Director (2009-2024)

UTRGV Investigators

Mataz Alcoutlabi, Ph.D.

IRG-2
Professor, ME
Office: EASFC 1316F
Phone: 956-665-8945
mataz.alcoutlabi@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

Jinwoo An, Ph.D.

IRG-1
Assistant Professor, CIVE
Office: EACSB 1.206
Phone: 956-665-4076
jinwoo.an@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

Mircea Chipara, Ph.D.

IRG-1
Professor, PHYS
Office: ESCNE 3126
Phone: 956-665-2152
mircea.chipara@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

Arturo Fuentes, Ph.D.

IRG-1
Professor, ME
Office: ENGR 3.256
Phone: 956-665-7099
arturo.fuentes@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

Robert Gilkerson, Ph.D.

Seed
Professor, BIO
Office: SCNE 232
Phone: 956-665-7838
robert.gilkerson@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

Ahmed Jalal, Ph.D.

IRG-2
Assistant Professor, EL
Office: EENGR 3.214
Phone: 956-665-7491
ahmed.jalal@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

Thomas Pearson, Ph.D.

Ethics
Professor, PHIL
Office: ETROX N107
Phone: 956-665-3570
thomas.pearson@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

Kimberly Selber, Ph.D.

Communication
Associate Professor, COMM
Office: ELABS 146
Phone: (956) 665-3583
kimberly.selber@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

Horacio Vasquez, Ph.D.

IRG-2
Professor, ME
Office: ENGR 3.260
Phone: 956-665-7419
horacio.vasquez@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

Julie Vanegas, Ph.D.

IRG-1
Assistant Professor, Chem
Office: ESCNE 4.631
Phone: 956-665-2056
julie.vanegas@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

Cristina Villalobos, Ph.D.

Education Outreach Director
Myles and Sylvia Aaronson Endowed
Professor - School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Office: EMAGC 3.602
Phone: (956) 665-3452
cristina.villalobos@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

Karen Martirosyan, Ph.D.

IRG-1
Professor, PHYS
Office: BINAB 1.129
Phone: 956-882-6736
karen.martirosyan@utrgv.edu
Faculty Profile

UTRGV Students

Allen Abraham

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Uddin
UG Student: 2018 - 2022

Ever Acosta

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Alexa Villarreal
UG Student: 2025

Salahuddin Ahmed

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla/Dr. Lozano
Master Student: 2020 - 2022

Elmmer Vera Alvarado

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla/ Dr. Ashraf
UG Student: 2021 - 2022 Master Student: 2022 - 2024

Andrea Alaniz

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla /Misael Martinez
UG Student: spring 2024 - 2024

Narcedalia Anaya Barbosa

B.S. in Chemistry
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2021 - 2026

Andres Armendariz

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Fuentes/Dr. Vasquez
Master Student: 2024 – 2026

Zoe Arriaga

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Jalal/Alexa Villarreal
UG Student: 2023 - 2025

Jorge Azpeita

B.S. in Computer Science
Dr. Lozano
UG Student: 2021 - 2023

Shishir Barai

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Jalal
Master Student: 2019 - 2021

Rodrigo Benavides

Ph.D. Candidate , M.S. in Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
PhD Student: 2025 - current

Cesar Benitez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Lozano
UG Student: 2022 - 2024

Brindashree Bhowmick

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2026 - Current

Disapree Bhowmick

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla/Dr. Lozano
Master Student: 2021 - 2023

Luis Campos

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2019 - 2023

Thais Cardoso de Oliveira

Visiting Student
Term: Oct 2021 - Feb 2022

Emylee Carillo

B.S. in Chemistry
Dr. Vanegas
UG Student: 2025 - 2026

Danna Capitanachis

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Chipara/Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2020 - 2022

Zaida Carballo

B.S. in Chemistry
Dr. Lozano
UG Student: 2020 - 2022

Jahaziel Cavazos

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Lozano
Master student: 2022 - 2024

Jorge Cazares

B.S. in Chemistry
Dr. Vanegas
UG Student: 2025 - 2026

Martha Cepeda

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla/Misael Martinez
UG Student: 2025 - Current

Ricardo Chavez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Jalal
UG Student: 2024 - 2025

Sachin Chopra

B.S. in Biology
Dr. Uddin/Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2023 - 2025

Adriana Chapa

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Fuentes/Allan Cedillo
Master Student: 2026 - Current

Emilia Cueva

B.S. in Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
Dr. Fuentes/Dr. Vasquez
UG Student: 2022 - 2023

Osvaldo Curiel

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Fuentes/Dr. Vasquez
UG Student: 2024 - 2025

Shuvendu Das

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Benitez
Master student: 2023 - 2025

Ayla Davila

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Benitez
UG Student: 2021 - 2023

Dyana De Leon Elizondo

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Allan Cedillo /Alexa Villarreal
UG Student: 2025 - Current

Oscar De Leon

B.S in chemistry
Dr. Vanegas
UG Student: 2025 - 2026

Diego deLeon

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
Master Student: 2023 - 2026

Valeria De Leon

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Lozano
Master Student: 2022 - 2024

Carlos A. Delgado

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Chipara
Master Student: 2022 - 2024

Carlos Diaz

B.S. in Computer Science and Chemistry
Dr. Padilla/Misael Martinez
UG Student: 2025 - Current

Hana Elnahas

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Minor in Chemistry
Dr. Lozano/Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2022 – Present

Elizabeth Magali Fletes

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Lozano/Dr. Alcoutlabi
UG Student: 2020 - 2024

Alejandro Flores

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Uddin
UG Student: 2019 - 2022

Christopher Flores

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
UG Student: 2021 - 2023

Emmanuel Flores

B.S. in Chemistry
Dr. Vanegas
UG Student: 2022 - 2024

Erick A. Flores

B.S. in Physics
Dr. Chipara
UG Student: 2025 - 2026

Lauren Flores

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2025 - Current

Luke Franco

B.S. in Chemistry
Dr. Lozano
UG Student: 2021- 2023

Elizabeth Gamez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2022 - 2024

Janeth Geona

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla/ Juilia Salas
UG Student: 2024 - Current

Amber L. Garcia

Ph.D. Candidate in Material Science ,M.S. in Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
Dr. Vanegas
PhD student: 2024 - Current

Jaime Garcia

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla/Misael Martinez
UG Student: 2024 - 2025

Jose Garcia

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Martirosyan
UG Student: 2023 - 2025

Juan Garcia

B.S. in Chemistry
Dr. Vanegas
UG Student: 2022 - 2024

Juan Garcia

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
UG Student: 2021 - 2022

Abraham Garza

High School Student
Dr. Alcoutlabi
High School: 2023 - 2025

Raul Garza

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla/ Juilia Salas
UG Student: 2024 - 2025

Luis Garza Lozano

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Fuentes/Dr. Vasquez
UG Student: 2025 - 2026

Kithzia Gomez

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
Master Student: 2021 - 2023

Michael Gomez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Uddin
Masters Student: 2021 - 2022

Darian Gomez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Jalal/Alexa Villarreal
UG Student: 2025 - Current

Ofelia Gomez Chacon

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Taha
UG Student: 2022 - 2024

Ramiro Gonzalez

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
Master Student: 2019 - 2021

Annacaren Aldaya Gutierrez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla/Juilia Salas
UG Student: 2024 - 2026

Nataly Gutierrez

Office Staff
Danielle Canales
UG Student: 2025 - Current

Ian Gonzalez

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Lozano/Dr.Padilla
Master Student: 2023 - 2026

Vanessa Hernandez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Fuentes/Dr. Vasquez
UG Student: 2022 - 2024

Sergio Herrera

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2020 - 2022

Amin Ibrahim

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
UG Student: 2021 - 2023

Anim Ibrahim

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Uddin
UG Student: 2018 - 2022

Batool Ibrahim

B.S. in Biology
Dr. Alcoutlabi
UG Student: 2025 - 2025

Sara Ibrahim

High School Student
Dr. Alcoutlabi
High School: 2023 - 2025

Ashwin James

B.S. in Biology
Dr. Padilla/Cesar Sanchez
UG Student: 2024 - 2025

Najlah A. Karam

B.S. in Biology
Dr. Uddin
UG Student: 2019 - 2022

Eduardo Lafuente

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
UG Student: 2022 - 2024

Jan Lamsis

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2019 - 2022

Cecilia Ledezma

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Lozano/Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2019 - 2022

Casandra Lira

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2023 - 2024

Martin Lopez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Lozano
UG Student: 2024 - 2025

Jesus Martinez

B.S. in Computer Science
Dr. An
UG Student: 2025

Caleb McCoy

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Benitez
UG Student: 2021 - 2023

Ma Mikhaila Olivia Ocampo

B.S. in Chemistry
Dr. Vanegas
UG Student: 2025 - Current

Abdullah Mohammad Sarjish

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
Master Student: 2023 - 2026

Cesar Montalvo

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2020 - 2024

Julian Montoya

B.S. in Chemistry
Dr. Padilla/Cesar Sanchez
UG Student: 2022 - 2024

Isabela Morales

High School Student
Dr. Lozano
High School: 2022 - 2024

Lydia Morales

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Chipara/Dr. Padilla
Master Student: 2025 - Present

Jose Luis Murillo

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
UG Student: 2022 - 2023

Virgilio Peraza

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Fuentes/Dr. Vasquez/Alexa Villarreal
UG Student: 2024 - 2026

Manuel Peredo

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr.Padilla
UG Student: 2022 - 2024

Miguel Angel Perez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Fuentes/Dr. Vasquez
UG Student: 2024 - 2025

Raquel pena

Misael Martinez
UG Student: 2025-2026

Silvia Ponce

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Orozco
UG Student: 2025 - 2026

Adrian Portales

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr.Uddin
UG Student: 2019 - 2023

Anthony Portales

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla /Diego de Leon
UG Student: 2019 - 2023

Intisar Qubbaj

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2021 - 2024

Andrea Quezada

M.S. In Chemistry
Dr. Vanegas/Dr. Uddin
Master student: 2023 - 2024

Jose Ramirez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Orozco
UG Student: 2020 - 2023

Oscar Rivas

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
UG Student: 2020 - 2023

Silke Rivero Romero

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2020 - 2022

Crystal Rodrigez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2021 - 2023

Alejandro Rodriguez

B.S. in Biology
Dr.Vanegas
UG Student: 2025 - 2026

Fabian Rodriguez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Chemistry
Dr. Padilla/Dr. Lozano
UG Student: 2021 - 2024

Itza Rodriguez

B.S. in Biology
Dr. Lozano
UG Student: 2023 - 2024

Roy Rodriguez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Biology
Dr. Jalal/ Alexa Villarreal
UG Student: 2025 - Current

Fariha Rubaiya

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Lozano
Master Student: 2019 - 2021

Victor Sagahon

M.S in Biomedical Sciences
Dr. Padilla/Allen Cedillo
Master Student: 2025 - Current

Jose Salas Toledo

B.S. in Business Administration
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2023 - 2025

Cesar Sanchez

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Uddin/Dr. Padilla
Master Student: 2023 - 2025

David Sanchez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
UG Student: 2022 - 2023

Valeria Sanchez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2023 - 2025

Christian Segundo Vazquez

B.S. in Computer Science
Dr. Padilla/Diego De Leon
UG Student: 2025 - current

Diego Seiten

B.S. in Computer Science
Dr.Padilla / Juilia Salas
UG Student: 2023 - 2025

Nina SanPedro

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Vasquez
UG Student: 2021 - 2022

Heriberto Santoyo

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Lozano/Allan Cedillo
UG Student: 2023 - 2025

Kollol Sarkar

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Taha
Master Student: 2020 - 2022

Islam Shipu

M.S. in Chemistry
Dr. Uddin
Master Student: 2021 - 2023

Javier Soliz-Martinez Jr.

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, B.S. in Arts in Theatre (Technical Design)
Dr. Fuentes
UG Student 2020 - 2025

Luis Sotelo

High School Student
Dr. Lozano
High School: 2022 - 2024

Melanie Suarez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2019 - 2022

Juan Tamez

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla/Misael Martinez
UG Student: 2025

Valeria Tirado

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
UG Student: 2025 - Current

Evelyn Torres

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla/Diego de Leon/ Juilia Salas
UG Student: 2024 - 2025

Mariana Torres

B.S. in Chemistry
Dr. Lozano
UG Student: 2020 - 2023

Emily Trevino

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla/Lawrence Cano
UG Student: 2020 - 2023

Elizabeth Varughese

B.S. in Science in Biology Minor in Chemistry
Dr. Jalal
UG Student: 2025

Casey Valencia

B.S. in Computer Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
UG Student: 2022 - 2024

Marcos Vela

Tourism Hospitality
Liza Moreno/Daniel Canales
UG Student: 2025

Pablo Vidal

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, B.S. in Computer Science
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2019 - 2022

Fernando Viesca

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Uddin
Master Student: 2022 - 2024

Ashley Villanueva

M.S in biology
Dr. Alcoutlabi
Master Student: 2025

Alexa Villareal Valdez

PhD Materials Science and Engineering
Dr. Padilla/Dr.Jalal/Dr. Lozano
PhD Student: 2022 - 2026

Silvana Zapata

High School Student
Dr. Alcoutlabi
High School Student: 2023 - 2025

Tammana Zakia

M.S. in Chemistry
Dr. Uddin
Master Student: 2021 - 2023

Pablo Zepeda

B.S. in Physics
Dr.Padilla/Dr.Dubadi
UG Student: 2025

Victoria Zuniga

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
UG Student: 2022 - 2024

Md Arafat Hossain

Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering
Dr. Padilla/Dr. Uddin/Dr. Ashraf
PhD Student: 2023 - 2026

Renata Leonhardt

High School Senior, B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
High School Student: 2025 - Current

Alejandro Cantu Paniagua

B.S. in Chemistry
Dr.Padilla/Juilia Salas
UG Student: 2025 - Current

Alejandra Guerrero

Ph.D. Candidate ,M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Alcoutlabi
PhD Student: 2024 - present

Yazmin Cortes

Ph.D. Candidate ,B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Ortega
PhD Student: 2024 – Present

Sara Sharifi

PhD in Physics (Nanomaterials)
Dr. Martirosyan
PhD Student: 2022 - 2026

Peter Salazar

Dr. Alcoutlabi
UG Student

Juilia Salas

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Padilla
PhD Student: 2021 - 2026

Misael E. Martinez

Ph.D. Candidate , M.S in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Concentration
Dr. Padilla
PhD Student: 2023 - Current

Edna Orozco-Leonhard, EdD

Ph.D. Candidate , M.S. Manufacturing Engineering, Doctor in Education for Higher Education Administration
Dr. Padilla
PhD Student: 2024 - Current

Roberto Curiel

M.S. Mechanical Engineering (Materials Concentration)
Dr. Alcoutlabi
Master Student: 2023 - 2026

Orel Sanchez-Leal

B.S. in Physics
Dr. Martirosyan
UG Student: 2026-2027

UMN Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)

Michelle Calabrese

Assistant Professor
CEMS
External Faculty Profile

Chris Ellison

Professor
CEMS
External Faculty Profile

Phil Engen

Education and Outreach Director
External Faculty Profile

Chris Leighton

Professor
CEMS
UMN MRSEC Director
External Faculty Profile

Timothy Lodge

Regents Professor
CEMS
External Faculty Profile

Mahesh Mahanthappa

Professor
CEMS
External Faculty Profile

Andre Mkhoyan

Professor
CEMS
External Faculty Profile

Technical Advisory Board

Nandika D’Souza

Associate Dean of UG Studies at University of North Texas
External Faculty Profile

Gabriel Lopez

Research VP
University of New Mexico
External Faculty Profile

Jacqueline Michel

former VP for Research Translation
UTRGV

Jeremy Qualls

Dean
College of Science, Technology and Health
University of Southern Maine
External Faculty Profile

Staff

Danielle Canales

PREM Program Coordinator
Center of Nanotechnology
Mechanical Engineering Department
Office: EACSB 2.162 Main Lobby
Phone: (956) 665-7395
danielle.canales@utrgv.edu

Songyang (Hank) Han, Ph.D.

Associate Research Scientist
Center of Nanotechnology
Mechanical Engineering Department
Office: EACSB 2.162F EENGB 2.442
Phone: 956-665-2643
hank.han@utrgv.edu

Funded by the National Science Foundation through the University of Minnesota (UMN) Partnership for Research and Education in Materials Science (PREM): University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) award DMR-2122178.