Areas of Expertise
Software engineering, recommendation systems, internet of things, big data, natural language processing
Background
Hung-Fu has more than ten-years of software development experience in the industry. He studied and developed various types of software applications in the areas of big data, Internet of Things, cloud computing, embedded system, recommendation system, auto-tagging application, and model-based code generation.
He has researched decision-making activities during the software system design. He analyzed software development through mining and measuring the source codes from open source repositories. In his research about showing real-time structural movement on 3D models, he developed an Internet of Things (IoT) sensor device, a deployment method, and a structural health monitoring web.
Education
- PhD, Computer Science, University of Southern California
- MS, Computer Aided Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
- MS, Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University
- BS, Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University
Fun Fact
I like hiking, travel, and making fun devices and toys.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
Very friendly people.
Areas of Expertise
Computational fluid dynamics, numerical simulations, flow control, and wind energy
Background
Suranga Dharmarathne completed postdoctoral training in the school of mechanical engineering at Purdue University before joining UIndy family. His enthusiasm in engineering education particularly in project-based, student-centered teaching lead to become a part of the R.B. Annis school of engineering. While he was doing his Ph.D., he was awarded the prestigious TEACH fellowship from the Teaching Learning and Professional Development Center at Texas Tech University because of his passion for teaching and learning.
Suranga is motivated to find solutions to fluid dynamics problems that are related to energy, environment, and biology which ultimately ensures health and safety of people. His primary tool of research is numerical simulations.
Suranga has worked with diverse group of students and collaborators and he highly values diversity. He was the co-director of the Kenninger Summer Research Institute, held at Purdue University in summer 2018. The program gave the opportunity for the students from underrepresented groups to get early graduate level research.
See Dr. Dharmarathne's Publications
Education
- Postdoctoral Training, Purdue University
- PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Texas Tech University
- BS, in Mechanical Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Fun Fact
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, cardio and strength training, and watching sports.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
I enjoy the family-like working environment, enthusiastic students, and working with a friendly, collaborative, and interdisciplinary group of colleagues.
Area of Expertise
Expertise in metal and composite fabrication, 3D printing, machining, and machinery maintenance & operation
Background
James has many years of experience fabricating engineering models for aerodynamic optimization. A certified technician for luxury high-performance automobiles necessitating a high level of precision and detail. An experienced multi-year FIRST robotics mentor, he enjoys working with students of all ages learning how to design and build any mechanical system.
Fun Fact
Once owned a small poultry farm and raced BMX.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
I enjoy the friendly atmosphere.
Areas of Expertise
Operations research, ergonomics & human factors, and discrete event simulation
Background
Dr. Hammond received her PhD in Industrial Engineering from Western Michigan University (WMU) in 2019. While completing her degree at WMU, she was a research assistant at the university’s Human Performance Institute researching qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze subjective comfort. The applications and opportunities to solve real-world problems was what attracted her to the field of engineering. She has collaborated with industry professionals on a range of interdisciplinary projects including Emergency Medical Service trends and improving task seating designs.
Dr. Hammond is passionate about teaching and encourages all students to ask questions and cultivate critical thinking. Joining the R.B. Annis School of Engineering has supported her mission to inspire students to bridge their academic, professional, and personal lives, following the university’s motto, “Education for Service.”
Research Interests
Cluster Analysis, Anomaly Detection, Human Centered Design, and Engineering Education
Education
- PhD, Industrial Engineering, Western Michigan University
- MS, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Western Michigan University
- BA, Mathematics, Ferris State University
Fun Fact
I love dogs, I am a bit of a movie buff, and I enjoy walking/hiking. I am reteaching myself piano and would like to learn American Sign Language.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
The people are wonderful. Students, Faculty, Staff, anyone you run into is welcoming. There are great opportunities learn, collaborate, and enjoy yourself with peers, colleagues, and friends. The campus is a community where all are welcome and interests are shared.
Areas of Expertise
nanophotonics, plasmonics, computational electromagnetics, and Engineering Education
Background
Joseph B. Herzog chose to come to the University of Indianapolis because he is passionate about teaching, is excited about the direction of the R.B. Annis School of Engineering, is glad to return to his engineering roots, and is happy to be close to his extended family. Previously he was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Arkansas. He is truly grateful for his time at the University of Arkansas, and enjoyed his department, students, and the campus.
While in Fayetteville, he also served as a faculty in the Microelectronics-Photonics Program and the Institute for Nanoscience and Engineering. He received his PhD from the University of Notre Dame working in the Nano-Optics Research Lab with J. Merz and A. Mintairov. After this he was a Welch Postdoctoral Research Associate, researching plasmonic nanostructures at Rice University with Douglas Natelson in the Department of Physics & Astronomy. In the summer of 2017 he was a Fellow at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC working with Jake Fontana on tunable subnanometer gap plasmonic metasurfaces as part of the Office of Naval Research Summer Faculty Research Program.
At the NRL he worked in the Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, which is a division of the Materials Directorate at the NRL. His experience also includes working for Intel Corporation both in Hillsboro, OR, and Santa Clara, CA; and he worked at the Berliner Elektronenspeicherring-Gesellschaft für Synchrotronstrahlung m.b.H. (BESSY - Berlin electron storage ring company for synchrotron radiation) in Berlin, Germany, researching ultra thick high-aspect-ratio microfabrication. His research focuses on computational nano-optics, including plasmonics and photonic crystals.
Research Interests
Engineering Education, Optical Modeling, Plasmonics, Computational electromagnetics, Nano-optics, Photonic crystals, Optical logic, Opto-electronic devices, and Optical computing
Education
- Postdoctoral, Physics and Astronomy, Rice University
- PhD, Electrical Engineering, University of Notre Dame
- MS, Electrical Engineering, University of Notre Dame
- BS, Computer Engineering, Louisiana State University
Fun Fact
I enjoy spending time with my family, biking, soccer, and other outdoor activities.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
UIndy is a very supportive and friendly community. I am proud to be a part of this institution.
Fun Fact
I love going to the dentist (I'd go more than every 6 months if I could)! I have dyed my hair every color (seriously, I don't even know my natural color)! I am a St Louis Cardinals fan even though I am from Illinois (being from IL doesn't mean Chicago)! Coffee and dry shampoo get me through my days!
Favorite Thing about UIndy
The staff and faculty that I work with in the School of Engineering.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Power system, Power Electronics, Next-Gen Networks, Micro/Smart Grid Technologies, Cyber-physical System, Network Softwarization (SDN-NFV), Cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Computing.
BACKGROUND
Harsh grew up in India and got his diploma in Electrical Engineering from Technical Examination Board in 2010. He got his Bachelor in Electrical Engineering from Gujarat Technological University in 2013. He also has Master’s in Technology from Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya in 2018. He then moved to Edinburg TX, USA where he graduated from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with his MS in electrical in 2020. He received MS and PhD degrees in Computer Engineering from University of New Mexico in 2023 and 2024 respectively while studying ML/AI Enabled Intelligent Next Generation Autonomous System for Network Performance Enhancement and Management.
Research Interests
Cybersecurity and IoT applications in Healthcare, Cloud Computing, Network Softwarization, Next Gen Networks Technologies (B5G& 6G).
Education
- PhD, Computer Engineering, University of New Mexico
- MS, Computer Engineering, University of New Mexico
- MS, Electrical Engineering, University of Texas Rio Grand Valley
- MTech, Power System, Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya
- BE, Electrical Engineering, Gujarat Technological University
- Diploma, Electrical Engineering, Technical Examination Board
FUN FACT
My favorite hobbies are travelling, playing badminton and cricket, reading books and watching movies.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT UINDY
The friendly people, student and teaching focused, great students but still support research, and DesignSpine.
Areas of Expertise
Data analytics, discrete event simulation, engineering economy, pressure mapping
Background
Dr. Martinez earned his doctorate in Industrial Engineering from Western Michigan University (WMU) in 2020. He also received a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics and obtained a specialization in Teaching and Student Success, both from WMU. His experience also includes working with leading companies such as Haworth, Stryker, and Bronson Methodist Hospital. His publications and presentations are in areas of big data analytics, occupational ergonomics, and healthcare systems engineering.
Prior to joining UIndy, Dr. Martinez taught undergraduate- and graduate-level industrial engineering courses related to simulation modeling, engineering economy, probability and statistics, quality control, and work analysis. His excellence in teaching made him the recipient of the 2017-2018 WMU All-University Graduate Teaching Effectiveness Award. He also served as president of WMU’s student chapter for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and was also inducted in the Alpha Pi Mu Industrial Engineering Honor Society.See Dr. Martinez's Publications
Research Interests
Development of data-driven models within the fields of production systems, financial systems, decision sciences, and engineering education
Education
- PhD, Industrial Engineering, Western Michigan University
- MS, Industrial Engineering, Western Michigan University
- BS, Industrial Engineering, Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC)
Fun Fact
Used to be a multi-instrumentalist musician playing in various rock/Latin bands. Enjoy retro video games, board games, bowling, movie nights, watching tennis, craft brewery, and traveling.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
UIndy is like a big family. Everyone greets you with a smile and make you feel welcome and comfortable around them. I am grateful to be part of this learning-driven community.
Areas of Expertise
Dynamics, controls, and vibrations
Background
Dr. Motato received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University and completed a four-year postdoctoral research position at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom. His postdoctoral research was focused on the design of torsional vibrations absorbers for automotive powertrains using the principle of targeted energy transfer and modal energy redistribution. This research project was sponsored by Ford UK and the EPSRC agency.
He has published his research work in several peer-reviewed journals including Springer Nonlinear Dynamics and ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems Measurements and Controls. Before Joining the University of Indianapolis, he was a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, Fort Wayne. His academic interests are in mechatronics, vibrations, and dynamics. See Dr. Motato's Publications
Research Interests
Vibration control, mechatronic systems, energy harvesting
Education
- PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University
- MS, Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University
- MS, Automation, Univalle, Colombia
- BS, Mechanical Engineering, UAO, Colombia
Fun Fact
I enjoy hiking, traveling, astronomy, and soccer.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
It is great to work closely with such a big interdisciplinary group of colleagues.
Areas of Expertise
Digital design, electronics manufacturing, student success, engineering in K-12
Background
Dr. Reid joined the R.B. Annis School of Engineering for the opportunity to focus on student success and to help the program grow and thrive. Prior to UIndy, he was an Associate Professor in Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. He was awarded as Outstanding Alum of the Purdue Engineering Education program in 2025, and he and his coauthors were awarded the William Elgin Wickenden award for 2014, recognizing the best paper in the Journal of Engineering Education and the Best Paper award, Educational Research and Methods Division, American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) in 2014. He was awarded an IEEE-USA Professional Achievement Award in 2013 for designing the nation's first BS degree in Engineering Education, and was named NETI Faculty Fellow for 2013-2014.
His research interests include creation of the First-Year Engineering Classification Scheme (a taxonomy for Introduction to Engineering courses), assessment of success in first-year engineering and engineering programs, engineering in K-12, introducing entrepreneurship into engineering, and international service and engineering. He is the curriculum lead on the “Engineering for Us All” (E4USA) project, a high school engineering course “for all”, including teacher professional development. He is active in engineering within K-12, serving on the Technology Student Association (TSA) Board of Directors. He has written texts in Engineering, Mathematics and Digital Electronics.
Research Interests
Engineering education: student success, classification of programs, entrepreneurship in engineering; digital electronics; electronics manufacturing
Education
- PhD, Engineering Education, Purdue University
- MS, Electrical Engineering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- BS, Computer and Electrical Engineering, Purdue University
Fun Fact
I love travel and hiking, and really love roller coasters, skydiving, ziplining, etc. My wife and I have one grandson and two rottweilers who add a little craziness (Taco & Churro). I'm also a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan, which adds a little sadness each year.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
I love the smaller school: we're able to treat each student as an individual (the way it should be). The atmosphere is supportive and positive!
Areas of Expertise
Mechanical Engineering, Thermo-Fluid Science, Energy Harvesting and Sensor Development
Background
Rashedul has received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at El Paso. His research work was focused on “Developing a Pyroelectric Ceramic Temperature Sensor for High Temperature Energy System Applications”. His work was also focused on “Gas Solid Fluidized Bed Dynamics with Non-Spherical Particles” for zero emission fossil fuel energy generation and significant heat recovery to improve efficiency. This research work has improved the drag correlation to predict the fluidized bed hydrodynamics for non-spherical particles. He has published his research works in several peer-reviewed journals.
Research Interests
Energy recovery and harvesting, developing sensor for energy system applications, PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry), shadowgraphy
Education
- PhD, Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso
- MS, Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso
- BS, Mechanical Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Bangladesh
Fun Fact
I enjoy cooking and love to do some fusion in cooking. I also enjoy playing and watching cricket.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
The friendly and collaborative environment.
Fun Fact
I love watching cooking shows (but I do not enjoy cooking), online shopping, and spending time with my family and friends.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
I enjoy UIndy's small campus environment and all the amazing scholars I have the pleasure of interacting with.
Areas of Expertise
Scientific computing, lasers and optics, instrumentation development
Background
Has been teaching physics at UIndy for more than 25 years. From the implementation of "flipped" physics class to the modernization of scientific computing and laboratory instrumentation courses, Steve has brought the strengths of his background in physics, engineering and computer science into the classroom. Steve also does IT and engineering consulting.
Steve is an active participant in several national research initiatives relating to improving physics education. These range from improving materials to help students prepare for class, to tracking student participation using handheld devices in the classroom. Steve is directing an effort to expand the Laser and Optics research in the department and developing a collaborative research program with the Laser and Optics Research Center at the US Air Force Academy, where he was a visiting professor during the academic years of 2011 and 2012. Steve has created a set of software libraries designed to help students make use of parallel computational resources without having to spend many hours learning lots of technical details of networking and task coordination. Finally, along with Dr. Duman, Steve has helped create a thriving Near Space physics research program at UIndy using high altitude balloons to deploy hundreds of experiments over the last five years. We continue to use Near Space Physics and high altitude ballooning as a way of introducing students to collaborative research, instrumentation development and a great deal of fun to boot!
See Dr. Spicklemire's Publications
Research Interests
Physics education, lasers and optics, scientific computing, near-space physics, instrumentation
Education
- PhD, Physics, California Institute of Technology
- MS, Physics, California Institute of Technology
- BS, Physics, minors in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Rose Hulman Institute of Technology
Fun Fact
I love music and theater, both as a performer and a member of the audience. Someday (possibly retirement) I hope to give these both more attention.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
UIndy is a wonderful and supportive community of administrators, faculty and students. I love to go to work (almost) every day!
Areas of Expertise
Condensed matter simulations, density functional theory, heat flow, biophysics, fluids, phonon-phonon interactions.
Background
Christopher grew up in Arizona, and got his Bachelor of Science in Physics with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Arizona in 2010. He then moved to Lubbock TX, where he graduated from Texas Tech University with his Master's and PhD degrees, while studying electrophysiology and phonon-phonon interactions.
See Dr. Stanley's Publications
Research Interests
Kapitza resistance, semiconductors, heat flow, biophysics, fluids and phonon-phonon interactions
Education
- PhD, Physics, Texas Tech University
- MS, Physics, Texas Tech University
- BS, Physics, University of Arizona
Fun Fact
My favorite hobbies are running, investing, or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and listening to Supreme Court oral arguments.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
My favorite thing about UIndy is that students are the primary focus, but I still have time to do research.
Areas of Expertise
Cloud computing, big data, web security, robotics
Background
Has a diverse technology background including artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing, and web security. His primary research interest lies in optimizing data locality in large computer and web systems. An award-winning teacher in the classroom, he has developed software to facilitate CS delivery and grading in computer science courses.
Research Interests
CS pedagogy, distributed coaching, distributed databases
Education
- PhD, Computer and Information Systems, Syracuse University
- MS, Computer Science, Syracuse University
- BS, Math & Computer Science, St. Lawrence University
Fun Fact
I love all things outdors: hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing.
Favorite Thing about UIndy
The friendly people and great students!
Areas of Expertise
Power system monitoring control and stability, phasor measurement unit (PMU) data analytics, machine learning
See Dr. Ul Banna's Publications
Research Interests
- Synchro-phasor Applications for Power Grid Monitoring, Control and Stability.
- Ultrasound Localization Microscopy (ULM) for Glaucoma Identification and its Therapeutical Treatment.
- Application of AI/ML models for Ophthalmological Surgical Outcomes.
- Autonomous Power System Operation using Machine Learning models.
- Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicles’ Integration in Power Grid.
Education
- PhD, Electrical Engineering, West Virginia University (USA)
- MS, Power Engineering, Brandenburg Technical University (Germany) and Technical University of Catalonia (Spain)
- BS, Electrical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (Pakistan)
Fun Fact
I love hiking, camping, and experiencing new cultures.