Villanova Engineering Celebrates Graduating Master’s and PhD Students
On May 14, 2019, the College of Engineering hosted an inaugural reception to celebrate the accomplishments of 133 master’s degree graduates and eight PhD recipients from fall and winter 2018 and spring 2019.
The ceremony began with opening remarks from Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research Gerard “Jerry” Jones, PhD, “We’re very excited to see you successfully complete your graduate studies and begin to move on to greater things, taking the substance and culture of an Augustinian-based, Villanova education with you.”
Master’s Degree Recipients
Dr. Jones first recognized the recipients of the College of Engineering Outstanding Graduate Student Awards, which are presented to graduating master’s degree candidates who have achieved distinction through outstanding graduate academics and research, and through exemplary leadership and service to Villanova University. The departmental awards were announced as follows:
- Civil and Environmental Engineering: Humaira Monowara Jahangiri
- Electrical Engineering: Victor Daldegan Paduani
- Mechanical Engineering: John T. Ripple
- Sustainable Engineering: Jeremy Taylor
Humaira Monowara Jahangiri, Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Victor Daldegan Paduani, Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Electrical Engineering
John T. Ripple, Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Milos Milanovic, Outstanding Doctoral Student Award
Doctoral Students
Following the master’s degree student awards, Dr. Jones named those who earned doctoral degrees and the title of their dissertations:
- Dr. Sebastian Araya, “Construction and Study of an Organic Rankine Cycle as a Waste Heat Recovery System in Data Centers,” advised by Dr. Aaron Wemhoff
- Dr. Kai Ding, “Pyrogenic Carbonaceous Matter (PCM) as Reactive Sorbents in Facilitating the Transformation of Hazardous Organic Compounds (HOCs) in Both Abiotic and Biological Systems” advised by Dr. Wenqing Xu
- Dr. Kamran Makarian, “Micromechanics and Thermal Shock Resistance of Particle-reinforced Castable Ceramic Composites,” advised by Dr. Sridhar Santhanam
- Dr. Mary McRae, “A Risk-Based Approach to Planning Aircraft Acquisitions in a Warming Climate,” advised by Dr. Ross Lee
- Dr. Saeed Shayestehmanesh, “Design, Simulation and Implementation of Knock Control Systems for Gasoline Engines in a Stochastic Framework,” advised by Dr. James Peyton Jones
- Dr. Milos Milanovic, “A Novel Multi-Stage Controller Design Technique for Partial Optimal Control of Linear Systems with Applications to Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells,” advised by Dr. Verica Gajic
Dr. Milanovic was also the recipient of the College’s Outstanding Doctoral Student Award, which is presented to a graduate who has achieved distinction through outstanding scholarship in the doctoral program and through exemplary leadership and service to Villanova University and the College of Engineering.
The evening concluded with words of advice from the senior associate dean as the students continue with their personal and professional growth outside of Villanova University.
Villanova’s College of Engineering offers master’s degrees in nine disciplines: BioChemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Sustainable Engineering and Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. A PhD can be earned with a concentration in any of these programs. To learn more visit gradengineering.villanova.edu.