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Dear Drexel Engineering Alumni,
As the days grow longer and the trees blossom along Lancaster Walk, it’s clear that spring has arrived — and with it, a new academic term full of momentum and promise. Some students are returning from co-op with fresh experience under their belts, while others are just beginning new opportunities. Our seniors and many graduate students are entering the final stretch of their programs, focused and full of anticipation for what comes next.
I’m honored to write to you in my new role as Interim Dean of the College of Engineering. As a longtime member of the Drexel faculty, it’s a privilege to serve the college at this exciting moment in its history. I’ve had the joy of watching our students, faculty, and alumni bring bold ideas to life—and I’m continually inspired by the innovation and dedication that define this community.
In this issue, you’ll find stories of alumni making meaningful impact in civil rights law and the tech industry, faculty securing support for pioneering research, and students gaining global experience and building real-world solutions. These snapshots reflect the curiosity, creativity, and collaborative spirit that make Drexel Engineering such a remarkable place.
As we look ahead, I know the continued strength of our college depends on the vibrant network of alumni who support, mentor, and champion our students and faculty. Your accomplishments light the way for the next generation of Drexel Engineers, and your engagement—whether through sharing your expertise, opening doors for co-op, or simply staying connected—makes a lasting difference.
Warmly,
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Kapil Dandekar, PhD
Interim Dean
E. Warren Colehower Chair Professor
College of Engineering
| | Engineering Equity and Building Belonging | Through advocacy, mentorship, and leadership, Carmen Melissa Mercado (BS '16) is creating the kind of community she once searched for as an engineering student. | | Exploring Justice, Power, and the Lessons of the Past | A one-time electrical engineering major, Kenneth Mack's (BS '87) path to becoming one of the nation's foremost scholars in civil rights and legal history wasn’t a conventional one. | | Alum Steven Spurgeon Receives Burton Medal | The Microscopy Society of America’s (MSA’s) Burton Medal is awarded to early career scientists who have made significant contributions in the field of microscopy and microanalysis. | | | Endowed Research Grants Sponsor Faculty Innovation | The Longsview Fellowships, Carleone Faculty Awards, and Grimes Family Faculty Awards recognize outstanding faculty research initiatives that foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in engineering and related fields. | | | NSF-CAREER Award Supports Hu’s Research on Complex Alloys | The knowledge that this project will generate could could be key to addressing critical material needs in industries essential to energy and national security, including nuclear energy, electric power generation, and hypersonic aviation and aerospace. | | Spanier Elected AAAS Fellow for Distinction in Scientific Research | Spanier was cited “for outstanding contributions to advancing understanding of light-matter interactions, ferroelectricity and nanoscale phenomena in nanostructures, thin films, and bulk solids.” | |
Innovation Through Collaboration: Drexel Engineers Join Forces with Top Researchers
Collaboration is at the heart of innovation at Drexel Engineering. These stories of our faculty joining forces with colleagues at other institutions to tackle complex challenges—from studying marine mammal movement for next-gen robotics, to advancing electrocatalysis for clean energy, to using AI for better glaucoma diagnosis. These projects are just a few examples of how Drexel engineers are expanding the impact of their work through strategic partnerships that span disciplines, industries, and institutions.
| | Graduate Co-op Studies AI for Cardiac Care | During his Drexel graduate co-op, Sravanth Kumar Kondapalli is applying engineering management skills to healthcare, studying AI-powered pacemakers and their impact on patient outcomes. | | | From Study Abroad to Scientific Breakthroughs: A Senior’s Unique College Career | Lia DiMitri’s Drexel journey spanned international study, leadership, and groundbreaking research — shaping her future in biomaterials and autoimmune treatment. Now, she’s set to make an impact. | | Student-Organized Consulting Competition Brings Philly Higher Ed Together | Mechanical engineering major Mark Moujabber is part of a team that brought an interdisciplinary, multi-university case competition to Philadelphia last term through Drexel Consulting Group. | | Stay connected with your alma mater by following us on social media! Keep up to date with the latest student achievements, including the Steel Bridge Team's first-place finish in their regional competition and the F-SAE team's successful test drive of their latest race car! | | Become a Lifelong Learner | | |
Did you know? Drexel alumni are eligible for a 30% discount on master’s degree tuition. Also, select full-time programs also now offer a graduate co-op option.
Attend an upcoming virtual information session to learn more about our programs!
Wednesday, April 30, noon | Register
Wednesday, May 7, 6 p.m. | Register
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Research by Michael Waring, PhD, professor ofcivil, architectural and environmental engineering, and Yury Gogotsi, PhD, Distinguished University and Bach professor, looking at how coating air filtration material with a MXene nanomaterial can improve their performance and reusability, was recently featured by Yahoo! News and The Cool Down
Abieyuwa Aghayere, PhD, professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering, was quoted in a March 1 Miami Herald story about proposed legislation in Florida intended to address the situation that caused the collapse of the Champlain Towers South condos in Surfside, Florida. The story was also published by the Tampa Bay Times and Yahoo! News. Additionally, Aghayere appeared as an expert for a recent PBS documentary about the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and was quoted in a Feb. 26 WTOP News story about the documentary.
Research led by Amir Farnam, PhD, associate professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering, to develop self-heating concrete that can melt snow and ice, was featured in a Jan. 19 Philadelphia Inquirer story.
Amanda Carneiro Marques, PhD, assistant professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering, was quoted in a Jan. 19 WHYY story about how to better manage the use of road salt to prevent water pollution from runoff.
Yury Gogotsi, PhD, distinguished university and Bach professor, was a guest on the Dec. 30 episode of the National Science Foundation’s “Discovery Files” podcast to discuss the discovery and future of MXene nanomaterials.
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Consider making a gift to the College of Engineering to help our ambitious undergraduate and graduate students and support strategic college priorities. Questions? Contact Lauren Anglum at lcg63@drexel.edu.
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