Welcome NEW Students

Jesus Avendano Bolivar did his undergraduate work at Instituto Tecnológico de Saltillo in Saltillo, Mexico. Jesus said he chose UT Dallas because of its great interdisciplinary collaboration for research and development of new technologies. When his supervisor Dr. Kevin Brenner moved from Southern Methodist University to UT Dallas, Jesus transferred with him to complete his PhD in materials science and engineering. After UT Dallas, Jesus plans to continue research and development of new technologies.

Joseph Beam is a master’s degree student who completed his undergraduate work at the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas.

Alexis Carrillo Osuna is a PhD student who earned his undergraduate degree at Universidad Autonoma de Sinaloa, in Sinaloa, Mexico, where he majored in physics. His supervisor is Dr. Manuel Quevedo-Lopez.

Chaman Md Muhidul Islam is a PhD student who completed his undergraduate work at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology in Khulna, Bangladesh. His supervisor is Dr. Kevin Brenner, and when Brenner moved from Southern Methodist University to continue his research at UT Dallas, Muhidul Islam transferred with him. He likes UT Dallas because of its state-of-the-art research environment and excellent STEM programs. In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies, playing table tennis and reading books.

Marlon Jerez is a PhD student who did his undergraduate work at Yachay Tech University, San Miguel de Urcuqui, Imbabura Province, Ecuador. He began his work at UTD as a student researcher and joined the PhD program because of MSE’s strong focus on understanding the novel material properties and their connection to the semiconductor device performance.  When he graduates, he wants to pursue a career in the semiconductor industry. Marlon “Danny” works with Dr. Quevedo’s group.

Meiyi Li is a PhD student who completed her undergraduate studies at Tianjin University of Technology in Tianjin, China, where she majored in chemical engineering technology. Li has joined Dr. Manuel Quevedo-Lopez’s group.

Zhihao Ma is a PhD student who completed his undergraduate work at Sichuan University, in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, and majored in polymer materials and Engineering and has a master’s degree from the University of Akron in polymer materials chemistry and biochemistry. Ma chose UT Dallas because of the professors and research opportunities. In his spare time, he likes to play basketball and enjoys swimming. He also wants to travel while he’s in the U.S. He is part of Dr. Moon Kim’s group.

Joslin Sunder Prasanna is a PhD student who did his undergraduate work at Anna University in Tamil Nadu, India and majored in materials science and engineering. Prasanna says he chose UTD because of the diverse, vibrant community. In his spare time, he loves to play sports, especially soccer and golf. He joined Dr. Moon Kim’s group.

Susmita Roy is a PhD student who completed her undergraduate work at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet, Bangladesh, and majored in physics. She is part of Dr. Cormac Toher’s group.

Connor Smith is a PhD student who did his undergraduate work at the Colorado School of Mines and majored in metallurgical and materials engineering. In his spare time, he likes to spend time with his wife and friends. He also likes to listen to music and cook. He is part of Dr. William Vandenberghe and Dr. Bing Lv’s groups.

Minoo Kazemi Tayefeh is a PhD student who did her undergraduate work at the University of Tehran and majored in metallurgy and materials engineering, then earned a MS from Sharif University of Technology in materials science and engineering. She is part of Dr. Hongbing Lu’s group.

Jiayi Zhang is a PhD student who did his undergraduate work at China University of Geosciences in Wuhan, China, and received a master’s degree in materials science and engineering from Johns Hopkins University. Zhang chose UTD because of its reputation for research, plus its relatively young age with dynamic, creative people. In his spare time, Zhang likes to play Nintendo and cook. He is part of Dr. Laisuo Su’s group.