Students

Skydiving into a PhD

Jeff Zehnder — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 19:07:56 +0000

Skydiving into a PhD Jeff Zehnder Thu, 10/16/2025 - 13:07

Jeff Zehnder

Adam Harris is advancing the frontiers of aerodynamics as a non-traditional student, finishing up a doctoral program in which he never expected to enroll.

“I’m writing computational fluid dynamics and finite element codes to study flow control by phononic materials and structures. A phonon is the quantum of vibrational energy, a quasi-particle that could give birth to a whole new species of technology,” Harris said.

A PhD student in the materials science and engineering program, Harris began his college journey in 2012 as a psychology major, but his time at �� did not last long.

“I didn’t show up to classes and just really didn't care. I was placed on academic probation my first semester and academic suspension my second,” Harris said.

A native of Miami, he elected to stay in Boulder, working in construction and landscaping. In 2014, Harris enrolled at Front Range Community College for an associate’s degree in business.

Skydiving Hobby

Harris also started skydiving as a hobby, hanging out at Vance Brand Airport in Longmont, making up to 10 jumps a day. Eventually, he was hired there for a paid ground crew position.

“I was surrounded by people who were monitoring weather, maintaining aircraft, and discussing flight mechanics. I started teaching myself basic aerodynamics, watching TED talks and physics documentaries online. It all became more and more interesting to me,” he said.

After finishing at Front Range, Harris decided to continue onto a four-year business degree at ��. Because of his past suspension, enrolling required an appointment with an admissions advisor. The meeting would change the direction of his life.

Changing Gears

“I told her about all the science, engineering, and physics I was being exposed to. She looked at me suspiciously and said, ‘Are you sure you want to study business?’ Nope, put me down for physics,” Harris said.

He steamrolled through his courses, earning As and Bs in subjects where he had previously shown little interest. In the five years since his first stint at ��, Harris had grown significantly.

“Turns out I really love math. I think my success was a product of motivation and how much I enjoyed where I was, the people around me, what I was learning, and relevance to my passions. I have a GPS in my skydiving helmet and I would always try to connect course concepts to data acquired from wingsuit flights,” he said.

As he was completing his bachelor’s, a connection with Mahmoud Hussein, a professor in the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, opened the door to graduate school.

Graduate School

“I was still enjoying classes but I paid for undergrad myself, so I didn’t want to continue accumulating debt. I started talking to Mahmoud, and when I learned engineering PhD programs cover tuition and living expenses, there was no question. What an opportunity,” Harris said.

Hussein became his graduate advisor as Harris earned two master’s degrees – in aerospace and materials science. He expects to finish his PhD in materials science next spring.

His dissertation is centered on phononic subsurfaces (PSubs), which could lead to radical increases in fuel economy for jet aircraft and hypersonic vehicles. It has been a focus of Hussein’s lab for 15 years, beginning at the theoretical level and now approaching the applied stage, thanks in part to a major Office of Naval Research grant awarded last year.

“This started with purely computational work and now we’re 3D printing PSubs. We can validate the PSub’s tuned frequency response with a laser vibrometer, and we have candidate prototypes that yield the response we expect. We’re going to begin the first wind tunnel tests in collaboration with the Experimental Aerodynamics Laboratory at �� very soon,” Harris said.

What's Next?

As he writes his dissertation, Harris’s research background offers a wealth of career opportunities, but he is hoping for a particular dream job that would combine fluid dynamics and computational modeling with his love of skydiving.

It may sound like a fantasy. It is not.

“There’s a company in California that builds parachutes used for space craft atmospheric re-entry,” Harris said. “The job description is everything I’m doing at ��, plus a requirement of parachute rigging experience, which I have.”

Wherever Harris lands, he is a long way from his beginnings in Boulder as an 18-year-old psych major.

“I think this is where I was supposed to be all along,” Harris said. “I just wasn’t aware of it back then. The synchronicity is really cool.”

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Researchers pioneer fluid-based laser scanning for brain imaging

Charles Ferrer — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 18:29:16 +0000

Researchers pioneer fluid-based laser scanning for brain imaging Charles Ferrer Tue, 10/14/2025 - 12:29

Researchers explored a fluid-based optical device known as an electrowetting prism to steer lasers at high speeds for advanced imaging applications. This new frontier in miniature lasers opens the door to new technologies in microscopy, LiDAR, optical communications and even brain imaging.

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Sharafuddin earns Ryland Graduate Fellowship for control theory research

Charles Ferrer — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:28:17 +0000

Sharafuddin earns Ryland Graduate Fellowship for control theory research Charles Ferrer Mon, 10/06/2025 - 10:28

Evan Sharafuddin, a first-year electrical engineering PhD student, has been selected as the recipient of the Dwight E. and Jessica D. Ryland Graduate Fellowship for the 2025-26 academic year who is pursuing wind turbine control research.

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Biomedical engineering undergraduate helps uncover new treatment for respiratory syndrome

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 17:39:33 +0000

Biomedical engineering undergraduate helps uncover new treatment for respiratory syndrome Alexander Jame… Fri, 09/26/2025 - 11:39

The project, like something straight out of a health sci-fi movie, combines RNA-based gene therapy with tiny microrobots for drug transport to help treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

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Integrated Teaching and Learning Program launches innovative 3D printing recycling initiative

Emily Adams — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 22:21:18 +0000

Integrated Teaching and Learning Program launches innovative 3D printing recycling initiative Emily Adams Thu, 09/25/2025 - 16:21

The College of Engineering and Applied Science is taking a step toward advancing campus sustainability, thanks to the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program’s new 3D printing recycling program.

The initiative transforms plastic waste from 3D printing into reusable materials, reducing landfill impact and supporting innovative student projects.

The idea originated in an engineering classroom, where a student team led by integrated design engineering major Ian Mcleod first explored ways to repurpose failed prints and excess support structures generated from PLA filament.

With the support of ITLP engineer Kathryn Penzkover, the concept was developed into a working system and later refined by Eli Post, an ITLP summer intern who is majoring in mechanical engineering. Today, this recycling process has been incorporated into the ITLP ecosystem, and sheets of this material are free for students to use.

The process involves collecting failed or excess PLA prints, grinding them into small fragments and using a T-shirt press to flatten the fragments into durable flat sheets. These sheets serve as raw material for laser cutting projects, offering students a sustainable alternative while conserving resources.

The project has already earned recognition on campus. The student team behind the recycling innovation won both first place and the People’s Choice Award in the Student Idea Showcase at the 2025 Campus Sustainability Summit. In addition, Post published a step-by-step Instructible, allowing others to replicate the process and extend its impact beyond the university.

Further support for the project came from the Engineering Excellence Fund, which awarded a grant to help purchase the polymer shredder. The investment provided the team with a reliable way to process PLA waste into uniform fragments, making the recycling workflow more efficient and scalable.

“What excites me most about this project is that this started with students who saw a problem and decided to solve it. By backing their creativity with mentorship and resources, we are not only cutting down on waste, we are showing future engineers that they have the power to drive real change,” said Kai Amey, director of engineering education and operations for the ITLP. “Incorporating recycled plastic into hands-on engineering education turns what would have been waste into a shared resource for students. By making these materials freely available, we are reducing our environmental impact while giving students new opportunities to innovate and create.”

The ITLP will continue to expand its recycling and sustainability initiatives, ensuring that hands-on engineering education is paired with responsible stewardship of resources.

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Campos Student Center celebrates community and future success

Charles Ferrer — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:37:43 +0000

Campos Student Center celebrates community and future success Charles Ferrer Fri, 09/05/2025 - 13:37

Charles Ferrer

This is your home. You are always welcomed here." ~Marco Campos

In a celebration-filled day, the College of Engineering and Applied Science honored the legacy of Marco Campos (CivEngr’98) on Aug. 29 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly named Campos Student Center in recognition of his $5 million investment in student success.

“Embrace your story and your journey,” Campos said, speaking to students in the center he called home nearly 30 years ago. “Know that we are here to support you and that you can be yourself in your college journey.”

The Campos Student Center carries out the central mission of broadening opportunities, community and leadership for undergraduate engineering students of all backgrounds. It also supports BOLD and partner-affiliated scholars and the college’s nine student societies.

Formerly the BOLD Center, the Campos Foundation’s gift creates a permanent endowment to further the center’s programming, which includes academic support, scholarships, leadership and professional development, student society programs and networking opportunities.

For many engineering students, the center is a place to gain opportunities and find community.

As for Marco Campos, the center not only bears a family name but represents a vocation of generosity through the years to ensure that students can succeed in their education.

“Marco is one of our own, a proud graduate of our civil engineering program,” said Keith Molennar, dean of the college, at the ceremony that included current scholars, faculty, staff members, college and campus leaders. “He has never forgotten where his journey started and continues to inspire students to succeed in their goals and dreams.”

David Aragon showing a class photo with Campos during his time at a summer program nearly two decades ago. (Credit: Jesse Petersen)

Campos knows firsthand the value of finding connection early on as a college student.

“The Multicultural Engineering Program, which eventually became the BOLD Center, helped me get acclimated to campus, meet professors and gave me a leg up,” Campos said. “Finding my support network was my number one focus and was instrumental at ��.”

In a full-circle moment, Campos recognized his college mentor, David Aragon, former director of the Multicultural Engineering Program, with the Campos Foundation’s first-ever community heart award.

Just as Aragon mentored Campos, staff members at the center today support the center’s programs and scholars with advising on scholarships, tutoring, keeping the space humming and creating powerful programs for students to expand their horizons.

“The center’s incredible professional and student staff and faculty, along with our student scholars and society leaders, make this community what it is day in and day out,” said Amy Moreno-Sherwood, senior director of the Campos Student Center. “I deeply appreciate the energy and care they bring to ensure students feel seen and supported.”

A vision realized

Campos and the Campos Foundation, led by Marco’s sister, Deanna Campos-Miller (Span, Jour’99) have been longtime champions for student success at �� and beyond.

Keith Molennar, Deanna Campos-Miller, Caleb Woldemichael, Marco Campos, Justin Schwartz (Credit: Jesse Petersen)

They have been key financial contributors to the renovation of the BOLD Center in 2020, supported scholarships for the first cohort of the Lattice Scholars Program in 2023 and have funded the EngiNearMe summer bridge program for the past 10 years.

The Campos Foundation’s mantra is “powered by heart.” Campos Companies — a portfolio of energy infrastructure companies with nearly 800 employees — donates 1% of its revenues to supporting underrepresented communities in STEM.

“We’ve made it a purpose to help empower our students through our student centers,” Campos said. “We know through the dedication of their staff that they will get the support they need and have a safe place to succeed.”

More than 7,000 students benefit from STEM education initiatives through the foundation every year at K-12 schools and colleges including DSST: Public Schools, ��, CU Denver, Colorado School of Mines and Colorado State University. Through the foundation, they support summer bridge programs, scholarships, internships, facilities and smartlabs.

“We want to move the needle in education,” said Campos, “because we know there is a lot of work to be done for our communities.”

Campos-Miller notes how the aligned missions of the foundation and center made it only more fitting.

“Our mission is to break down barriers in STEM and provide access to students who will ultimately make a difference in the world,” Campos-Miller said. “This center is a way for students to feel the love and support we have for their ambitions.”

By paying it forward, the foundation hopes to embody the message for the Campos Student Center students: to receive when you need it and to give back when you have it.

“Marco sets an inspiring example for others to invest in student success — building on their own personal experiences to make a real difference for those who follow in their footsteps,” said �� Chancellor Justin Schwartz.

Community and belonging breeds student success

Julia Wall, a BOLD scholar, serves as a peer mentor and is a member of three student societies supported by the center. (Credit: Jesse Petersen)

At the heart of the Campos Student Center lies the students they serve.

Julia Wall, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student and BOLD scholar, has been involved heavily with the center since freshman year, when she took advantage of tutoring for her physics and computer science courses.

“The Campos Student Center has given me a wide breadth of opportunities where I feel supported academically, professionally and financially,” Wall said. She also participates in student societies, such as the Society of Women Engineers (SWE); Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; and the Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers.

This past year, she served as a peer mentor for several BOLD scholars and developing her leadership skills: “It’s been an amazing experience helping new scholars find their footing and organizing events to buff up their professional and academic skills.”

“Our center has been a safe space for me where I made friends and practiced my skills through leadership and mentoring,” Wall said.

For Srishti Jerath (BioMedEngr’25), who spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and is pursuing her master’s in biomedical engineering, her journey has been deeply connected to the programs and societies supported through the Campos Student Center.

During her second year, Jerath stumbled upon a leadership opportunity that would change her undergraduate trajectory.

As the director of community engagement for SWE, she “discovered my passion for creating equitable spaces for women in engineering. I found myself surrounded by a community of incredible women from diverse backgrounds, all working toward the same mission.”

Anika Mathur, a senior in electrical engineering and treasurer of SWE, said she knew even before enrolling that getting involved would play a pivotal role in her leadership experience at ��.

“The center has been a home away from home,” Mathur said, who lives in the East Bay of California.

Thanks to the Campos Foundation, countless more students will find here what I was so fortunate to find: support, community and opportunity.” ~Srishti Jerath

After attending a networking event as a high school senior, she saw how student organizations like SWE could shape her journey. “What I’ve appreciated has been being in a space where I can be with other women in STEM from every engineering major and connect with them,” Mathur said.

Mathur recently finished an internship at Apple this past summer with their signal integrity engineering team, which connects with the masters degree she hopes to pursue next year.

Kayo Abdi, a first-generation computer science student and vice president of ��’s National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), remembers struggling to find his place during his first semester.

“I was too focused on my classes to really connect with others,” he said, “but then I met my peer mentor who encouraged me to join NSBE and start coming to the center. I would then meet a lot of my friends.”

We have a whole space through the Campos Student Center that helps us achieve goals and overcome challenges, which is something we’re privileged to have.” ~Kayo Abdi

Now a peer mentor himself, Abdi helps first- and second-year students navigate challenges and build support networks of their own, some of the support networks that helped Campos during his college experience.

“We should care for ourselves as people first, instead of just students first,” Abdi said. “Being able to help mentees figure out their hobbies, interests and their support system on campus is truly rewarding as well.”

By setting an example for peers, he prioritizes jogging and fishing for his mental health, as well as spiritual health to take breaks from the grind of courses, exams and workload.

“Engaging with students here and hearing different perspectives on how to succeed in classes and how to overcome challenges has shaped me into the person I am right now,” Abdi said. “We may all go through the same struggles, but I know we’re all gonna make it together.”

The College of Engineering and Applied Science held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrated the newly named Campos Student Center. Formerly the BOLD Center, the naming recognizes a $5 million investment for student success by alumnus Marco Campos and the Campos Foundation.

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Achey earns Department of Defense NDSEG fellowship

Charles Ferrer — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 19:14:38 +0000

Achey earns Department of Defense NDSEG fellowship Charles Ferrer Tue, 08/26/2025 - 13:14

Lorin Achey, a second-year computer science PhD student, has earned the prestigious 2025 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship for her promising research in robotic perception systems. The Department of Defense fellowship was established to recognize and support science and engineering PhD students in disciplines of military importance.

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Find your community and student resources

Michelle Wiese — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 22:43:57 +0000

Find your community and student resources Michelle Wiese Fri, 08/15/2025 - 16:43

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BOLD Center renamed in honor of Campos Foundation's $5M gift

Charles Ferrer — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:08:21 +0000

BOLD Center renamed in honor of Campos Foundation's $5M gift Charles Ferrer Fri, 08/15/2025 - 08:08

The Campos Student Center will continue its mission of broadening engineering student opportunities, community and leadership.

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Enhancing orbital safety with better space weather predictions

Jeff Zehnder — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 18:40:25 +0000

Enhancing orbital safety with better space weather predictions Jeff Zehnder Fri, 07/11/2025 - 12:40

Jeff Zehnder

Anant Telikicherla is developing new instrumentation for an upcoming sub-orbital rocket flight.

Surrounded by racks of electronics equipment, tools, and pieces of an aluminum rocket body – the laboratory could be mistaken for a mad scientist’s lair – Telikicherla is working on an instrument he hopes can help provide advance warnings for solar flares.

“These flares are one of the most powerful explosions in the solar system,” said Telikicherla, a PhD student in the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the ��. “Flares release an insane amount of energy that can reach Earth in eight minutes and large eruptive flares are often associated with energetic particle events that are a radiation risk to astronauts and can be really damaging to satellites.”

As a student, Telikicherla is co-advised by two leading researchers, Tom Woods, a senior research scientist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, and Bob Marshall, an associate professor in aerospace.

Flare prediction is an active area of research around the world, and Telikicherla is hopeful the instrument he and Woods have been developing could eventually provide 10-15 minutes advance warning of flares. It is a short period of time, but any additional notice would be beneficial for space weather operations.

The basis of the instrument, called the Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrograph and High Energy Imager (SEUSHI), derives from a paper Telikicherla published on solar flare onsets in The Astrophysical Journal. SEUSHI is slated to fly next spring aboard a sounding rocket.

Sounding rockets are sub-orbital flights that soar to the edge of space and offer engineers and scientists an opportunity to conduct short duration experiments for a much lower cost than those on full size rockets.

“Our group tries to build new instruments to better understand the sun, and hopefully this flight demonstrates the technology and then we’ll propose it as a long-term project aboard a future small satellite,” Telikicherla said.

A native of Dehli in India, Telikicherla has been fascinated by space since a young age. He earned his bachelor’s at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, a university run by India’s national space agency, and then worked at the Indian Space Research Organization’s Human Spaceflight Center for two years.

The desire for advanced research drew him back to school.

“My work was fun, but I had a longing to do more fundamental research, to go beyond what a normal industry job does,” he said.

He earned a master’s at the University of Alberta. There, he worked on a different sounding rocket instrument and earned first prize at the AIAA SmallSat conference student paper competition for a submission based on his master’s thesis.

Telikicherla wearing a clean room "bunny suit."

For his PhD, Telikicherla was drawn to ��, where he had already spent time at as an undergrad in a summer exchange program called INSPIRE.

A collaboration with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), INSPIRE offers students from around the world the chance to come to Boulder to design and build a small satellite. It was where he was first introduced to Woods’ research.

“He was the PI on one of the satellite’s instruments and as we were building it, I realized I was more interested in the instrument than the larger spacecraft. That sounded more exciting, making new measurements of things no one has ever looked at before,” Telikicherla said “I told him I wanted to analyze the solar data after it launched and he said absolutely, even though I didn’t have a solar physics background.”

Now a year into his PhD program, Telikicherla splits his time on campus between the lab and conducting observational analysis of existing solar flare data.

“I can download data in real-time from satellites using LASP’s downlink and that’s awesome,” Telikicherla said. “Then, let’s say I get bored staring at my computer for hours, I can go work in the lab instead. I get to do both, and I feel that’s very enjoyable from a PhD student life point of view.”

SEUSHI is scheduled to launch aboard LASP’s EVE Rocket Program in April 2026 from White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

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