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Presented to an outstanding senior in each program in recognition of high academic achievement and active participation in department, college or university activities.

• Chemical Engineering - Andrew Dunning

  

  Andrew Dunning is a senior pursuing a BS in Chemical Engineering and an MS in Biomedical Engineering through a 4+1 program. He was awarded the Clarice Buckman Scholarship in 2024. Andrew is actively seeking internships or research opportunities to further develop his skills and contribute to the biomedical field.

• Chemistry - Tamara Perez

  

  Tamara is a senior who transferred to UNH after earning an associate degree in biology at Naugatuck Valley Community College. Initially a Forensic Science major, she discovered a passion for analytical chemistry during her year-long internship at Solvay/Syensqo and pivoted to a Chemistry degree. During her internship, she gained expertise in separations science, operating and maintaining liquid and gas chromatography instrumentation. Currently she participates in polymer research with Dr. Hao Sun, developing degradable and modifiable polymers and is credited on a research paper submitted for publication to Polymer Chemistry. Tamara looks forward to expanding her repertoire of analytical instrumentation and rejoining the workforce in May 2025.

• Civil Engineering - Brandon Bernier

  

  Brandon Bernier is a Senior at the University of New Haven in the dual degree Civil Engineering program with a focus in structural engineering. He is the vice president of Chi Epsilon and will be working full time this summer as a bridge inspector. His future goals include passing the FE and PE exams. Ultimately, he would like to open his own engineering firm. In his free time, Brandon is an avid fisherman and nature enthusiast.

• Computer Engineering - Gabriel Olszewski

  

  Gabriel Olszewski is a senior pursuing a B.S. in Computer Engineering. He previously interned as a Test Engineer at ASSA ABLOY, gaining hands-on experience in testing and validation. Gabriel is currently working on his senior capstone project in collaboration with Honeywell. He was a member of the UNH Tennis and Robotics Clubs and is currently part of the Astronomy Club. He enjoys technical challenges and has a strong interest in technology and problem-solving.

• Computer Science - Braeden Allen

  

  Braeden is a junior who has a passion for coding and cybersecurity. Since his transfer to the University of New Haven, he has been awarded Dean’s list in each of his three semesters, while achieving a 4.0 GPA in two of those semesters. Alongside his academics, Braeden works as a tutor in Computer Science in the CLR in Computer Science and Cybersecurity coursework. This summer, Braeden has accepted a position at Lockheed Martin as a cybersecurity intern. He looks to continue his academic success going into the 2025-26 academic year.

• Cybersecurity and Networks - Ronald Scarpa

  

  Ronald is an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity & Networks. He is currently vice president of the hacking club, and he has played a vital role in the university’s hacking team. He helped the team place highly in numerous cybersecurity competitions. Individually, he earned the “High Achiever” designation in the 2023–2024 NSA Codebreaker Challenge—a solo competition in which only 36 out of over 5,000 participants nationwide received this honor. His passion for security has allowed him to excel academically and professionally at the university, a momentum he plans to maintain after his graduation.

• Electrical & Computer Engineering - Marc Santacapita

  

  Marc Santacapita is a senior commuter student in Electrical & Computer Engineering. He is active in the Robotics Club, where he has aided them in building their very own Mars Rover vehicle. He has worked at RBC Heim Bearings as a mechanical drafter throughout his college career and has recently worked in a multidisciplinary internship in the Heim test lab. After graduation, he plans to seek a career in the field of robotics or automation engineering.

• Mechanical Engineering - Tyler Pendleton

  

  Tyler Pendleton is a senior mechanical engineering student at the University of New Haven, graduating in May 2025 with a concentration in robotics and a minor in mathematics. Dedicated to academic excellence and leadership, he has maintained a 4.0 GPA and has been named to the Dean’s List every semester. As a Head Peer Assistant for engineering, he has fostered a collaborative learning environment while mentoring fellow students. Tyler also gained industry experience through an internship at ABB, focusing on mechanical design, testing, and validation. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in mechanical engineering, applying his skills to innovative and real-world challenges.

Presented to an outstanding master’s student in each program in recognition of high academic achievement and performance in research/scholarship, teaching or service.

• Biomedical Engineering - Justin Caron

  

  Justin Caron is in his last semester of the Biomedical Engineering Master’s Program. He performed tissue engineering research under Dr. Shue Wang. He has presented his research at two conferences and is in the process of publishing a paper with Dr. Wang. Justin hopes to find a position in industry and eventually return to school for a PhD with the intent of working in prosthetic design and research.

• Chemical Engineering - Timilehin Esther E Oluwole

  

  Timilehin is a master's student in Chemical Engineering passionate about alternative fuels and sustainability in the energy industry. She was among the 24 awardees selected nationally for the 2023 Future Leaders in Chemical Engineering symposium at NC State. During an internship at Quantum-Si, she conducted projects that showed a threefold improvement in chip loading performance. Beyond academics, she enjoys playing Call of Duty, watching movies, and cooking. Timilehin intends to pursue her passion for research and development by earning a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Her goal is to advance sustainable energy technologies and impact policy-making in the global energy sector.

• Chemistry - Sabita Rimal

  

  Sabita is a Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate from Nepal who is currently pursuing graduate studies in Chemistry. With the lab as her second home, she is applying her previous expertise in drug formulation and analytical techniques while gaining further proficiency in biopolymer-based drug delivery and protein docking for drug design research under Dr. Sun and Dr. Xiao. Beyond academics, Sabita is actively involved in professional organizations. She currently serves as the Vice President of UNH’s Chapter of American Chemical Society and the New Generation of Pharmaceutical Scientists Liaison Officer for International Pharmaceutical Federation’s (FIP) Early Career Pharmaceutical Group (ECPG).

• Civil Engineering - Dipesh Pandit

  

  Dipesh Pandit, originally from Nepal, earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Tribhuvan University before moving to the United States in 2023 to pursue a master’s in civil engineering at the University of New Haven. He has demonstrated academic excellence by maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA so far. Dipesh is honored to have been a part of the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) Graduate Student Chapter, serving as the Secretary and actively participating in various activities. Beyond academics, he enjoys traveling and reading. With his dedication to learning, growth, and using his knowledge for good, Dipesh is excited about his future.

• Computer Science - Ritwik Babu

  

  Ritwik is a graduate student from New Delhi, India, currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science. With over 2 years of industry experience in data analytics and a deep passion for mobile app development, Ritwik has served as a Teaching Assistant for Android and iOS Development courses, and a Graduate Assistant as Senior System Administrator and Graduate Computer Lab Tutor at the Center for Learning Resources. Ritwik is deeply grateful for this recognition and feels motivated for his plans to pursue a career in software development upon graduation. Beyond academic pursuits, Ritwik enjoys playing video games, exploring emerging tech, and indulging in anime and manga.

• Construction Engineering and Management - Abhishai Parre

  

  Abhishai Parre, originally from India, is a dedicated graduate student in Construction Engineering and Management, holding a 4.0 GPA. He previously earned his Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering from Visvodaya Engineering College. Abhishai has interned with Ultratech Cement and worked on innovative building materials. He is currently conducting research under Dr. Reihaneh Samsami on the role of Artificial Intelligence in construction, exploring its impact on efficiency and automation. He has received multiple academic awards, including a distinction in Mathematics. Outside of academics, he enjoys playing cricket. He aspires to become a Construction Project Manager, contributing to efficient and sustainable building solutions.

• Cybersecurity and Networks - Harsh Vireshkumar Modi

  

  Harsh is passionate about cybersecurity and has honed his skills through coursework, hands-on labs, and by serving as a Teaching Assistant for the C Programming and Cyber Forensic Science courses, where he guided students through lab sessions and recitation classes. With a strong foundation in cyber defense and networking, along with industry-recognized certification, he remains committed to continuous learning and aims to apply his expertise in a full-time cybersecurity role to enhance digital security and resilience. Beyond cybersecurity, Harsh is also a skilled volleyball player, demonstrating the same dedication and teamwork on the court as he does in his professional pursuits.

• Data Science - Supraja Madala

  

  Supraja Madala is a passionate Data Science graduate student at the University of New Haven, a techie by profession and a designer by heart. With a strong foundation in AI-driven research, she’s contributed to innovative projects in construction risk assessment and metro system automation. A dynamic leader, Supraja has been the President of the Radio Club and a Radio Jockey for four years, as well as serving as Secretary of the Cultural Club and Student Council. Beyond academics, she is a skilled fashion designer and classical dancer, blending creativity and precision in all her endeavors.

• Electrical Engineering - Venkata Durga Sunanda Reddy Gangula

  

  Venkata Durga Sunanda Reddy Gangula is a graduate student at the University of New Haven, pursuing a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. Passionate about embedded systems and battery management, she has interned at Emertxe and Edgate, gaining hands-on experience in firmware development and IoT applications. Sunanda has contributed to research on drive cycle analysis and smart energy solutions. Outside academics, she enjoys coding, circuit design, and exploring emerging technologies. Upon graduation, she aims to advance in the field of battery management systems, driving innovation in energy-efficient solutions.

• Engineering and Operations Management - Kasra Fatemi

  

  Kasra Fatemi is a dedicated mechanical engineer with over eight years of industry experience and is currently completing his M.S. in Engineering Management and Operations at the University of New Haven, where he also earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He has a strong background and interest in plastics injection molding, tooling, and automation. As an Engineering Manager at Medtronic, he leads a team of engineers in developing and delivering plastic injection molds to produce critical-level components for patients. Kasra looks forward to applying his newly acquired degree to continue driving impactful innovations in the medical device space.

• Environmental Engineering - Allison Diana

  

  Allison Diana is a dedicated environmental professional pursuing a master’s degree in environmental engineering at the University of New Haven, where she also earned her bachelor’s in environmental science. Currently, she works as a graduate research assistant in the engineering department, focusing on the degradation of PPCPs (pharmaceuticals and personal care products). Additionally, Allison works as an Environmental Engineering Intern at Sikorsky and will be continuing a full-time position there after graduation. Outside of academia, she is involved in theater productions doing both stage design and set building as well as being stage crew.

• Industrial Engineering - Solomon Nelaturi

  

  Solomon Nelaturi holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering. He brings over four years of professional experience as a Quality Analyst, with a strong background in quality control and process improvement. His key areas of interest include Statistics, Design of Experiments, and Supply Chain Management. Solomon is dedicated to applying analytical and data-driven approaches to solve complex problems and add value to business operations. Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, he is an avid ping pong enthusiast and enjoys reading news articles and magazines in his leisure time.

• Mechanical Engineering - Keertivasan Matheswaran

  

  Keertivasan (Kv) is a graduate student and Research Assistant at the University. During his mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree in India, he earned the Best Outgoing Student Award for his involvement in college events and projects. At UNH, he began as a TA, assisting professors and students before receiving the TCoE Endowed Graduate Fellowship. His research is mostly based on robotics, with his thesis exploring teleoperation in the school’s industrial robots. Kv has published two research papers and remains active in departmental events. Graduating this May, he plans to pursue a research-focused career and eventually return to academia in the future.

• Mohammad Basit Akram

  

  Mohammad Basit Akram is a Ph.D. candidate in Engineering and Applied Science Education program at the University of New Haven focusing on mechanical engineering. His research focuses on predictive modeling and advanced machine learning techniques for process optimization in manufacturing systems. With expertise in time series forecasting and explainable AI, he develops data-driven solutions for real-time monitoring and control of polymer extrusion processes. He holds an M.S. from Lehigh University, Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s in engineering from Jadavpur University, India.

  Beyond his academic pursuits, Basit enjoys playing Call of Duty and Counter-Strike, immersing himself in strategic gameplay. He also has a deep passion for literature, history, and philosophy, often exploring classic and modern works.

• Civil Engineering - Meryem Oldro

  

  Meryem, a junior transfer student in Civil Engineering, has been a teaching assistant at the Makerspace for three years and loves assisting students with projects. She is heavily involved with the ASCE Concrete Canoe team, with hopes to attend this year’s symposium as a rower. Her last internship was with a construction management company and helped solidified her passion for on-site work. This summer she’ll head West for a bridge inspection internship with Union Pacific, hoping to pin down her interests before grad school. In her free time, she appreciates sci-fi books, playing trombone, and driving the Marching Band truck.

• Chemical Engineering - Bisher Lpizra

  

  Bisher is a dedicated junior transfer student who has demonstrated academic excellence, earning Dean’s List recognition for three consecutive semesters. Outside the classroom, he plays a vital role on the men’s volleyball team, contributing as both a middle blocker and right-side hitter. In his free time, he enjoys refining his skills in woodworking, diving into video games, and playing volleyball. With a strong passion for engineering, Bisher plans to further his education through the university’s 4+1 Chemical Engineering program, aiming to integrate academic achievement with hands-on innovation in the field.

• Chemistry - Gianna Cologna

  

  Gianna is a senior Forensic Science student in the Chemistry 4+1 program and has worked in Chemistry labs since their second semester at the University. Giana has worked as a lab assistant for most Undergraduate labs and has been an active participant on the laboratory Prep Team for 3.5 years as well as acting as a Stockroom Assistant for 2 years. At this award ceremony in their freshman year, they received the Freshman Chemistry Award. In the Summer of their sophomore year, they completed a SURF project with Dr. Cirillo and received the Bucknall Undergraduate Research Award in the Fall of 2023 for their work on it. While having a heavy course and workload, they have also been active members of our three on campus bands, including being in leadership and being in Kappa Kappa Psi, a band service fraternity. Gianna plans on completing their master’s here next year and then working in industry for a couple of years before pursuing their PhD abroad.

• Mechanical Engineering - Alexandra Iozzo

  

  Alexandra Iozzo is the vice president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and vice president of the Engineering Council. Outside of school, she works with the university as a Tagliatela College of Engineering Ambassador, as well as a Women in Engineering Ambassador. She has interned at the Milford Power Plant and Mannkind Corporation. Playing golf and baking are some of her favorite hobbies.

• Electrical & Computer Engineering - Aidan Stoner

  

  Aidan is a current senior who has dedicated lots of time to his studies and extracurricular activities. He was one of the students who helped restart the Robotics Club after Covid and has been an active e-board member since the start of his sophomore year. Since then, he has been working on the Mars Rover Project which competed internationally last year earning 24th in the world out of 108 total teams. Outside of robotics he is interested in embedded systems and single board computers. He is continuing his education by going for a master’s in computer science next year.

• Computer Science - Murtaza Amjad

  

  Murtaza Amjad, a rising senior at the University of New Haven, is an exemplary Computer Science student with a GPA of 3.56. As President of the Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Society and the Computer Programming Club, he has shown remarkable leadership. His cybersecurity skills were highlighted at iQ4, where he effectively applied the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Murtaza is gearing up for a cybersecurity internship at Webster Bank and looks forward to joining the prestigious Algoverse AI Research Summer 2025 Cohort to enhance his AI capabilities. He is dedicated to pioneering AI-powered security solutions through his expertise in software engineering.

The Tagliatela College of Engineering Service Awards recognize the contributions of undergraduate and graduate students as tutors, peer assistants, lab assistants and volunteers. Recipients of these awards were selected by their academic program.

• Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept. - Ashok Gyawali

  

  Originally from Nepal, Ashok Gyawali is pursuing a graduate degree in Civil Engineering at the University of New Haven, beginning in Fall 2023. He served as Secretary, Treasurer, and later President of the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) Graduate Student Chapter. Ashok has worked as a Teaching Assistant and Department Assistant in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and completed an internship at Hudson Engineering LLC. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA, he plans to pursue a career in structural engineering. Outside of academics, he enjoys drawing, trekking, and practicing yoga and meditation.

• Chemistry - Cameron Dwyer

  

  Cameron Dwyer is a dedicated chemist, currently pursuing an M.S. in Chemistry. Holding a B.S. in Forensic Science, Cameron conducted research last year on optimizing gunshot residue collection using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), which he presented at the 49th Annual Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists conference. This year, his research focuses on a comparative analysis of LIBS and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for gunshot residue analysis. As the Executive Assistant for the American Chemical Society at the university, Cameron actively promotes chemistry outreach and professional development. Beyond academics, he serves as the head coach of the university's women's club soccer team.

• Chemical Engineering - Kaitlyn Benes

  

  Kaitlyn is a Chemical Engineering student with a concentration in Energy & Environmental Systems Engineering. She holds the Provost Research Assistant position in Dr. Huan Gu’s lab where she develops antibiotics. She also founded the campus link of the Order of the Engineer with Dr. Nagasree Garapati. Passionate about nuclear safety, she completed two internships at the Hanford Site focused on nuclear cleanup. After graduating in May, she is excited to continue in the nuclear industry as a Nuclear Safety Engineer and has accepted a position with Consolidated Nuclear Security in Oak Ridge, TN.

• Biomedical Engineering - Marlon Brands

  

  Marlon Brands is a graduate student with a strong passion for the medical device industry. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in biomedical engineering, Currently Marlon works as an Associate Manufacturing Engineer at Northeast Scientific, a medical device reprocessing company. In his role, he collaborates with engineers to design, develop, and optimize processes that improve the production of reprocessed medical devices. Over the next few years, Marlon plans to gain further industry experience before pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, focusing on imaging engineering and medical devices to advance research in this field.

• Mechanical Engineering - Yashwanth Kanthala

  

  Yashwanth is a graduate student from India, pursuing a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Haven. As the recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Service Award, Yashwanth is dedicated to academic excellence, research, and innovation and currently serves as a Teaching Assistant, supporting class assignments and conducting labs. Yashwanth’s research focuses on molecular dynamics simulations, investigating heparin interactions with fibrinogen, antithrombin, and PF-4 using NAMD, VMD, and OVITO, aiming to enhance understanding of clot structure and stability for biomedical applications. Yashwanth is eager to explore innovative solutions in structural analysis, performance optimization, and molecular dynamics, contributing meaningfully to the field.

• Engineering and Operations Management - Seyedeh Elham Kamali

  

  Elham is an Engineering and Operations Management student with dual master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering. She has worked as a Project Engineer Intern at Entech Engineering PC in New York and as a Teaching Assistant at the University of New Haven. Currently, she serves as President of the IISE Student Chapter. With over 10 years of industry experience, she has held leadership roles such as Technical Manager and Supervising Electrical Engineer. A recognized researcher, Elham earned second place in a 2024 research workshop and has published work in Elsevier. She has plan to advancing research and fostering academic and industry collaborations.

• Cybersecurity and Networks - Jessica Berrios

  

  Jessica Berrios is a dedicated cybersecurity professional pursuing a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Networks at the University of New Haven. She has conducted advanced research on malware written in Go, published in forensic science journals, and participated in cybersecurity competitions such CPTC where the team came in second. Jessica has held roles as an IT Examination Intern at the FDIC, Research Assistant, and as a TA for Small Scale, Reverse Engineering, and Memory Forensics, demonstrating her expertise in digital forensics and reverse engineering. Actively engaged in mentoring and teaching, she is passionate about cybersecurity education and innovation. Her next steps include advancing her career in public sector cybersecurity.

• Industrial Engineering - Tejas Warungase

  

  Tejas, originally from India, is a dedicated Industrial Engineering graduate student, set to graduate in May 2025. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and transitioned into Industrial Engineering to further develop his expertise in process optimization and efficiency. Recognized as one of the top GPA holders in his department, he is a recipient of the Provost Scholarship, previously holding Dean’s Scholarship. Tejas has served as the Logistics and Hospitality Manager for the Indian Student Council, worked as a Graduate Assistant for the International Admission Office, and currently holds a Teaching Assistant position in the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department. With a strong passion for process optimization, he has hands-on experience as a Manufacturing Engineer, working on automation projects. Tejas is eager to gain industry exposure at reputed companies and aims to start his career as an Industrial Engineer or Process Engineer leveraging his analytical skills and leadership experience.

Awarded to an undergraduate student mentor in our first year mentorship program who has provided outstanding support and connection to their mentee(s) throughout the academic year.

• Justin Vaillancourt

  

  Justin is a sophomore mechanical engineering student who has a passion for aerospace engineering. He takes pride in his academic’s achieving dean’s list each semester so far. He is a member of clubs such as ASME, UNH Aero, and Baja SAE. He hopes to continue to expand his resume with projects and future club involvement. In his free time, he is learning to play the guitar and likes to play videogames with friends when he has the time.

• Michael Coppola

  

  Mike, a senior with a passion for motorcycles and classic automobiles, earned his Associate’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Naugatuck Community College in 2002. He began his career designing precision sheet metal components and has been an engineer at RBC Bearings since 2015. In 2017, he furthered his education by attending evening classes at the University of New Haven. Mike is married to his wife, Kristen, and together they are raising a family that includes his stepdaughter and two children, whose ages range from 7 to 16. He is committed to growing in his engineering career while supporting his family.