PhD Students
Denizcan Koc
Mr. Koc is a PhD student in the Mechanical & Aerospace
Engineering Department at the University of Houston. Deniz was born in
Ankara/Turkey in 1997. He received his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering at
the Middle East Technical University in 2021. His current research is focused on modeling and control of soft robots, including
robotic fish, manta ray, jellyfish, and soft cuff devices. During his free
time, he likes to travel and walk around beautiful places and to watch movies
and sport games. Email: denizcan.koc1@gmail.com
Qiang Zhu
Mr. Zhu is a PhD student in the
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Houston.
He was born in China. He received his bachelor’s degree in Packaging
Engineering at Jilin University in 2018. Then he got the
master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the George
Washington University in 2020. After graduating from GWU, Qiang worked as a
mechanical engineer in Huawei Technology, designing robust mechanical systems
for Huawei’s products. Qiang likes snowboarding, hiking
and photography. He is now a part of BRCL, focuses on
control, navigation, and visual servoing control of undersea robotics.
Email: qzhu21@cougarnet.uh.edu
Yuhang Ying
Mr. Ying is a PhD student working at
BRCL in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department at the University
of Houston. Yuhang Ying was born in Jiamusi/China in 2002. He received his BS
degree in vehicle engineering at Hefei University of Technology in 2024. His
current research is focused on the autopilot of UGV,
and intelligent control based on machine learning of 4-DOF robotic arm and
underwater robot. During his free time, he likes to walk/ride around
countryside and get close to nature.Email:
yying2@cougarnet.uh.edu
Salvador Gonzalez
Mr. Gonzalez is a PhD student in the Mechanical &
Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Houston. His family comes
from Guadalajara, Mexico. Salvador earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering
at the Cullen College of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering in 2024. His
current research is in modeling, feedback, and control of soft robotic
actuators; specifically in the application of sensor-integrated manipulators.
Salvador's background is in Competitive Robotics, with experience primarily in
mechanical design and fabrication. Mr. Gonzalez intends to specialize in
advanced control applications for autonomous robots and vehicles. Salvador
is passionate about teaching and envisions creating a
controls engineering program dedicated to the practical and experimental
implementation of various control strategies. In his free time, he volunteers
as an alum advisor for Pearadox FRC robotics, and he
enjoys cooking and learning new languages.
Atanu Dahari
Mr. Dahari is a PhD student in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Houston, where his research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence and robotic systems in sports. He holds a master’s degree in computer science from Rice University and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Technology from the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), India. Prior to pursuing his doctoral studies, Atanu spent over two years in the tech industry as an Applied AI Engineer, specializing in designing, building, and evaluating agent-based AI systems. A passionate badminton player who competed in tournaments for the Rice University club team, he aims to leverage his background in AI to drive impactful research and technological contributions to the sport. Email: adahari@CougarNet.UH.EDU.
Miao Yu
Ms.
Yu is a PhD student in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department at
the University of Houston. She was born in Jixi, Heilongjiang, China, in 2004.
She received her bachelor’s degree in electronic information engineering from
Northeast Electric Power University in 2026. Her current research focuses on
robot motion control, navigation, and underwater robotics. In her free time,
she enjoys listening to music, reading, exercising, and hiking. Email: myu15@CougarNet.UH.EDU .
Samuel
Aina
Mr.
Aina is a PhD student in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department
at the University of Houston, where his research focuses on developing robotic
systems for applications in unstructured manufacturing environments. Originally
from Lagos, Nigeria, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in
Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (May
2023). Before pursuing his doctoral studies, Samuel spent 3 years as a Systems
Engineer in the manufacturing space with Eaton, Cummins, and DelConte Inc. In
these roles, he gained extensive experience designing
and managing complex manufacturing lines across multiple countries and
developed a strong background in operations and logistics.
Samuel is deeply interested in history, philosophy, and politics. He loves
learning about new cultures and places, is an expert Trivia player, and plays
Paradox grand strategy games in his free time. Email: soaina@CougarNet.UH.EDU .
PhD Alumni
Umar Masood
Mr. Masood was a PhD student in the Mechanical &
Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Houston. Mr. Masood got
his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechatronics Engineering from National
University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan. Having a multidisciplinary
background he has been actively contributing in MEMS
Research Group and Unmanned System Group, and got publication is various journals and conference proceedings. He has
research and development experience in country’s first of its kind National
Center of Robotics and Automation, where as a Team Lead in Robot Design and
Development Lab, he led many commercial projects for
local industry as well as government organizations. After graduation, Dr.
Masood joined Amazon Robotics. Dr. Masood was the lab
manager who assisted Dr. Chen with managing the equipment in the
BRCL. Email: mmasood5@CougarNet.UH.EDU
Theophilus Kaaya
Dr. Kaaya was a PhD student in the Mechanical Engineering
Department at the University of Houston. Theophilus was born in Uganda. He
received his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Houston
and is currently researching on ways to design wings of bio-inspired robotic manta
rays using soft materials. Theophilus also loves teaching and spends some of his time tutoring as well as inspiring students to
continue pursuing STEM related subjects. During his leisure time he plays the
piano, sings, or plays board games. Email: kaayatheophilus@gmail.com. After his graduation in 2023, Dr. Kaaya joined Boeing as
a propulsion engineer.
Shengbin Wang
Wenyu Zuo
Dr.
Zuo was the lab manager of BRCL. He was born in China in 1991. He is currently
a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Houston. He
received his BS degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Toledo. His research at BRCL was focused
on optimal design and control of robotic fish enabled by servos and smart
materials.
Xiongfeng Yi
Dr. Yi was born in Wuhan, China in 1993. He received his MS degree in Fluid Mechanics engineering from the Brown University, Providence, RI and BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Dalian University of Technology in China. His research at BRCL was focused on modeling, localization, navigation, and visual servoing control of Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and 4-DOF robotic arm. He graduated in Dec. 2021 from BRCL. After graduation, Dr. Yi joined ArcBest Corp as a robotics engineer in 2022. Email: Xiongfeng_yi@alumni.brown.edu
Alicia Keow
Dr. Keow was born in Malaysia. Dr. Keow received her BS degree in Electrical Engineering at Wichita State University in 2016. She received her PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of in August 2021. Her research at BRCL was focused on modeling and control of hydrogen systems including renewable energy storage and buoyancy control for underwater vehicels. After she graduated, Dr. Keow joined Sandia National Lab as a postdoc. Email: aliciakeow@gmail.com
Zhihang Ye
Dr. Ye was born in China. He received his Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering from Shandong University in China in 2008. He got his Master Degree in Control Science and Engineering from Tongji University in 2012. In August 2017, Dr. Ye received his PhD degree in Electrical Engineering at Wichita State University. His research interest was focused on Smart Materials, Control Systems, and Bio-inspired Robotics. Dr. Ye received a Maggie Sawan Fellowship in 2014. Dr. Ye is currently working as an engineer at Bozhilin Robotics in China. Email: zhihang@gmail.com
· Master Alumini
Rahul J. Venkatraman
Mr. Venkatraman received his MS degrees in Aerospace
Engineering and Space Architecture at the University of Houston and his BS
degree from Texas A&M University. Rahul was born and raised in the States.
At BCRL, he researched methods of using dielectric elastomers and other soft
robotic materials for active garments and wearable devices in spaceflight and
medical applications. Rahul has spent a brief time as a systems engineer at
NASA and as a STEM educator at Space Center Houston and iFLY.
Currently, Rahul is working at NASA Johnson Space Center as Level of Effort
(LOE) Systems Integration Engineer in spacecraft command and telemetry for the
Artemis, Gateway, and Crew Space Transportation (CST) programs. In particular, Rahul is overseeing support of telemetry
product delivery between spacecraft (Orion MPCV, SLS launch vehicle, Boeing
Starliner, and Human Landing System (HLS)) and Mission Control Center.
Yejin Wi
Ms. Wi was born in South Korea in 1995. She is current a Master's student studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Houston. She received her BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Her current research at BRCL is focused on visual tracking, localization and control of Unmanned Vehicle. Email: dpwls911@gmail.com
Tushar Nagpure
Mr. Nagpure was born in India in 1991. He received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Nagpur University in 2012. He received his M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering at Wichita State University in 2015. His research was focused on modeling and control of ionic polymer-metal composite enabled hydrogen production. Email: tcnagpure@wichita.edu . Mr. Nagpure is currently working as an electrical engineer in Kairos Technologies Inc.
Tianxu Yang
Mr. Yang was born in China, 1988. Mr Yang received his M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Wichita State University 2015. His research was focused on development of 2D maneuverable robotic fish propelled by multi-IPMC artificial fins. Mr. Yang currently is working as an Electrical Engineer at China Telecom Americas in Los Angeles. Email: txyang2@wichita.edu
Piqi Hou
Mr. Hou was born in China. He received his BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Wichita State University (WSU) in 2014. Mr. Hou was an undergraduate research assistant in Mechanical Engineering department at WSU. His research was focused on simulation and optimization of micro-thermoelectric cooler and micro generator. Mr. Hou joined the BRCL in 2015 as a master student. His research was focused on development of highly manuverable bio-inspired robotic fish. Mr. Hou received his MS degree in Electrical Engineering from WSU in 2016. Mr. Hou is currently working as an electrical engineer at Unipower-Powering Technology in Miami, Florida. Email: peiqi17@gmail.com
Sandeep Reddy Chitti
Mr. Sandeep Reddy Chitti was born in India in 1994. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from SR Engineering College in 2015. He received his M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering at Wichita State University in 2017. His research is mainly focused on design and development of cooperatively controllable Bio-Inspired Robotic Manta Ray. Email: sxchitti1@wichita.edu. Mr. Chitti is currently working as an engineer at Pfizer.
Undergraduate Alumni
Amy Mayhall
Ms. Mayhall is a senior studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Houston. As part of the summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, she is working with Ms. Keow to develop the model which will serve as the basis for model predictive control (MPC) of an integrated power management system consisting of a wind turbine, electrolyzer, metal hydride storage, and hydrogen fuel cell. Upon graduation, Ms. Mayhall hopes to begin a PhD in Mechanical Engineering ancontinue her research in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability. Email: aemayhall@gmail.com
Samuel Akinwande
Mr. Akinwande was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He is a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Houston. His research at BRCL is focused on bouyancy control of robotic fish. Email: akinwande.samuel.90@gmail.com
Can Ardic
Mr. Ardic was born in Turkey but raised Texan. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry from Boston College, but after studying medicine for 2 years, he decided to pursue engineering instead. As he is new to the field, he is excited and eager to learn. He is currently taking engineering classes to bolster his knowledge and he hopes to delve into more research on bio-inspired robotics. He is currently pursuing original methods of underwater locomotion involving smart materials. Email: ardiccan@gmail.com
Joel Chavali
Joel is senior Mechanical Engineering student at University of Houston. He started research on a soft robotic finger using pneumatic actuation in the Fall of 2018 under the Provost Undergraduate Research Scholarship (PURS) program. He works as a Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Mechanical Design course offered by the Mechanical Engineering department and specializes in producing and presenting workshops for project management, Arduino electronics control, and design consultations for the students throughout the semester. In addition he works in the 3D Printing Workshop where printing is done for undergraduate classes (which includes Intro to Mechanical Design) and graduate research projects. Joel plans to graduate in May 2020 with the Mechanical Engineering degree along with minors in Math and Energy and Sustainability.
Jonathan Liu
Mr.
Liu was born in Seattle, Washington to first-generation immigrants from China.
He is currently studying mechanical engineering as an undergraduate at the
University of Houston. His field of research under Dr. Zheng Chen will
include drone flight control in conjunction with precise placement of remote
sensors. At the university, Jonathan works guiding other
undergraduate students as a physics peer facilitator and
also as a technical assistant at the Moores
Opera House. He is fluent in Mandarin as well as English and enjoys
hobbies such as blacksmithing and woodworking while participating as an active
member of the university choirs. Jonathan hopes to pursue his love for
innovation, passion for physics, and drive to work with his hands through his
research. Email: jonathandjliu@hotmail.com
William Haase
Mr. Haase is a
junior Mechanical Engineering student planning on pursing
a career in either nuclear power or the biomedical field. Under the guidance of
Dr. Chen he will be researching the development of
artificial muscle for biomedical application. Specifically, Mr. Haase is
developing a prototype of EAP enabled heart assist device. Email: willhaase@earthlink.net
Kai Loh
Mr. Loh was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia for 14 years before moving to Texas. He is currently an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Houston. He is working on underwater bio-mimetic propulsion involving smart materials as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program in 2019. Email: kyloh@uh.edu
Javier Carretero Murillo
Mr. Carretero Murillo was born in Mexico in 1998. He is
currently a Junior studying Mechanical Engineering. He is working on a soft
bio-inspired underwater robot as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research
Fellowship (SURF) Program in 2019. The focus of his research is on the engineering mechanisms for buoyancy control and
underwater propulsion. Email: javiercarretero2@gmail.com
Louis Gomez
Mr. Gomez was born in Nigeria. He is currently a junior
majoring in Electrical Engineering at Wichita State University. Mr. Gomez is a
Peer Academic Leader for the engineering Living learning
Community in Shocker Hall at Wichita state University.
His research interest is focused on bio-inspired
robotics enabled by dielectric elastomer artificial muscle. Email: alouisgomez@gmail.com
Timothy Rollings
Timothy Rollings is a senior at Wichita State University
majoring in electrical engineering, with minors in both mathematics and
computer science. His research interests are within the fields of control
systems, computer vision, artificial intelligence, signal processing, and
robotics. While researching and developing novel real-time tracking systems
within the BIRCL, he is also a controls engineer
intern for a building automation company called BCS. In addition to being a
member of the BIRCL, he has been a Channel Scholar and undergraduate researcher
with Purdue University’s Center for Science of Information for the past year.
He has also been a McNair Scholar with WSU for the past two years. When not
researching or doing school work he enjoys coffee,
reading fiction and dystopian novels, listening to various music, going for
runs and hikes, playing the guitar, volunteering, and exploring. Email: timee123234@gmail.com
Cooper Colglazier
Cooper Colglazier was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas.
Cooper is currently a senior in Electrical Engineering with minors in
Mathematics and Computer Science. Cooper works in the Rhatigan Student Center
and serves as an at-large senator in the 59th session of the Student Government
Association. In the summer of 2015 he was awarded an Engineering Research Stipend under Dr.
Preethika Kumar to explore possibilities in quantum computing. Shortly after,
he worked with Dr. Kumar and Dr. Ali Eslami on a research project to explore
the potential of STT-RAM to become a universal memory. Cooper's current
interests include robotics, machine learning and
artificial intelligence. After he received B.S. degree in Electrical
Engineering, Mr. Colglazier joined the Department of Computer Science at
Georgia Institute of Technology as a graduate student. Email: cmcolglazier@wichita.edu
Connor Relph
Mr. Relph was born in Wichita,KS. He has spent over half his life there and the other half in Seattle, WA. Mr. Relph is an Electrical Engineering undergraduate student at Wichita State University. He is currently researching for ways to harvest plants autonomously. In addition to his research in the Robot Farming area, Connor workes at Westar Energy as a Distribution System Engineer in downtown Wichita, KS. At work, he performs test/analysis of load flow and fault studies. Connor Relph is apart of St. Paul's Catholic Student Center at Wichita State University and is a leader in their Knights of Columbus chapter. During his free time, he enjoys volunteering through his church and spending time with family. Email: cprelph@wichita.edu
High School Alumni
Lucy Zeng
Ms. Zeng was born in Houston, Texas. Ms. Zeng is currently a high school student at James E Taylor High School. She is currently researching applications for bio-inspired robotics. Email: lhzeng@comcast.net