Fall 2012 UNM Engineering Convocation Program - School of ...

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF ENGINEERINGfall 2012 convocation

Message from the DeanTo the Fall 2012 University of New Mexico School of Engineering GraduatesI am delighted and honored to welcome you to the Universityof New Mexico School of Engineering Convocation. It is amemorable day in your lives and a special day for those whohelped you get ready for this graduation—family, friends,teachers, classmates, colleagues, coworkers, counselors,advisors, and more. All of them are proud to have been part ofyour experience at the University of New Mexico and they wishyou a successful and satisfying career.Today we celebrate the impressive accomplishments of ourgraduating students and we acknowledge their dedication,commitment, and perseverance. Your academic successes arelikely to carry over into professional, personal, and socialachievements. We are excited about watching your careersflourish and we hope that you will always be part of our academic family.As you graduate from our School of Engineering, remember that you are part of a distinguished traditionthat started with the founding of the School in 1906 and will be continued by your own work across ourbeautiful state and across the world. Our School and its graduates represent a powerful engine ofeconomic and social development. You had the opportunity to witness first hand the creation of newideas and technologies and to learn from leaders in the field of science and engineering. It is now yourturn to creatively apply the knowledge and experience you gained during your studies for the good ofsociety at large.Graduates, we welcome you to the distinguished company of the School of Engineering alumni andwish you every success in your new endeavors.Gruia-Catalin RomanDean, UNM School of Engineering

Fall ConvocationUniversity of New Mexico School of EngineeringSaturday, December 15, 2012 • 10:00 a.M.Kiva Auditorium, Albuquerque Convention CenterBoard of RegentsThe laws of New Mexico provide for aBoard of Regents which is responsible forthe governance of the University of NewMexico. The Board’s power to govern theUniversity includes fiduciary responsibilityfor the assets and programs of the University,establishment of goals and policies toguide the University, and oversight of thefunctioning of the University.The Board is comprised of seven memberswho are appointed by the Governor of NewMexico, with the consent of the Senate,for staggered terms of six years except forthe student regent, who is appointed fora two-year term. The Governor and theSecretary of Education are designated as exofficio,non-voting members.The RegentsJack L. Fortner, PresidentDon L. Chalmers, Vice PresidentCarolyn J. Abeita, Secretary-TreasurerJ. E. "Gene" GallegosJames H. KochLieutenant General Bradley C. HosmerJacob P. Wellman, Student RegentTable of ContentsMessage from the Dean....................................1Board of Regents................................................2Convocation Program.......................................3Platform Party....................................................4Keynote Speaker................................................5Student Speakers................................................6George E. Breece Award...................................7Convocation Traditions....................................8The School of Engineering...............................9Degrees Awarded.............................................10Chemical & Nuclear Engineering..................11Nanoscience and Microsystems.....................11Civil Engineering.............................................12Computer Science............................................13Electrical & Computer Engineering..............14Optical Science & Engineering......................15Mechanical Engineering.................................16Message from the Alumni Association.........17Guidelines for Graduates and Guests............18pFront cover: Mechanical Engineering Chair Christopher Hallwith Mechanical Engineering graduates Joshua Herrera andElisa Wasson.2

Convocation ProgramProcessionalFaculty MarshalRobert H. Greenlee, Professor, Mechanical EngineeringBanner CarrierPamela Hurd-Knief, Dean's OfficeProcessional Music“Pomp and Circumstance March Number 1,” Composed by Sir Edward Elgar“Procession of the Nobles,” Composed by Nicolai Rimsky-KorsakovPerformed by The New Mexico Brass QuintetMaster of CeremoniesCharles B. Fleddermann, Associate Dean for Academic AffairsGreetingsCatalin Roman, Dean, School of EngineeringKeynote SpeakerBrian G. Burnett, P.E., President, Bohannan HustonB.S., Civil Engineering, '78; M.S., Hydrology and Water Resources, '80Student SpeakersNialls Christian Chavez, B.S., Computer Science, '12Christopher Charles Lamb, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, '12Presentation of Breece AwardsPresenter: Charles B. Fleddermann, Associate Dean for Academic AffairsAwardees: Peter F. Crowder, B.S., Chemical Engineering, '12Anthony Lee Hickerson, B.S., Computer Science, '12Luke Allen Yates, B.S., Mechanical Engineering, '12Presentation of Degree CandidatesCharles B. Fleddermann, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs3Recessional

Keynote SpeakerBrian G. Burnett, P.E.B.S., Civil Engineering, '78M.S., Hydrology and Water Resources, '80Brian G. Burnett, P.E., is the President of Bohannan Huston,one of New Mexico’s largest engineering consulting firms. Thecompany has been in business since 1959 and has over 180employees in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Denver.Throughout his career, Mr. Burnett has been responsible forboth the technical and approval aspects of projects, developingthe ability to work successfully with many diverse customersaround New Mexico and regionally.Mr. Burnett has served in a leadership position on a variety ofprofessional organizations and community service groups. He is Past-President of the American Councilof Engineering Companies (ACEC) – New Mexico Section, Associated Commerce and Industry, and theUNM Alumni Association. He currently serves as the Chair of the UNM Civil Engineering DepartmentAdvisory Board and is Vice-Chair of the Presbyterian Healthcare System Board of Directors.Mr. Burnett has been recognized professionally with such awards as the Engineer of the Year Award fromthe State Section of the New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers, the Greater Albuquerque Chamberof Commerce Chairman’s Award of Excellence, the UNM Civil Engineering Department DistinguishedAlumni Award, the UNM School of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award, and the UNM AlumniAssociation Zia Award.Through his leadership roles, Mr. Burnett actively promotes New Mexico’s job growth, sound water policy,and infrastructure investments that benefit future generations of New Mexicans.p5

Student SpeakersNialls Christian ChavezB.S., Computer Science, '12Nialls grew up in Albuquerque and was home-schooled by his mother.He’s grateful to his parents for their support and encouragement,calling them his biggest advocates.His interest in Computer Science stems from a programming classat the Career Enrichment Center, an APS science, technology, andvocational magnet school. Nialls went to CNM for his prerequisitesand finished his CS curriculum at UNM in two years.iPhone technologies.He is already applying his degree in a full-time programming job atPOSLavu, a point of sale software company based on Apple's iPad andNialls has pursued rock-climbing all over New Mexico and many parts of the US. He also likessnowboarding and cycling.Christopher Charles LambPh.D., Computer Engineering, '12Chris is a principal engineer at Sandia National Labs, helping toensure the security of large-scale computer systems.During his Ph.D. program at UNM, Chris was affiliated with theInformatics Group in the Electrical and Computer EngineeringDepartment, working on information security in next-generationInternet networks. In 2002, Chris received an M.S. in ComputerScience, also from UNM. His M.S. thesis is on using evolutionaryprogramming techniques to defend against distributed attacks, andhis Ph.D. dissertation addresses protecting information in futureinternet-scale networks. Chris will continue with the InformaticsGroup as a research professor at UNM.Chris has been married for 17 years and has two children; his daughter Chloe is ten and Hanna is four.He is grateful to his wife Missy, who has been tremendously supportive throughout his studies. Both ofthem are very glad he has finished his graduate degree programs.6

George E. Breece AwardThe George E. Breece Award was established in 1921 to honor the UNM School of Engineering senior withthe highest grade point average from each graduating class. The recipients of this award consistentlyhave grade point averages higher than 4.0, reflecting a majority of A+ grades throughout theirundergraduate courses.Peter F. CrowderB.S., Chemical Engineering, '12As an NSF Scholar, a School of Engineering Scholar, and an SOEAmbassador, Peter represented the school at various events. In 2012,his team won first place in the International Environmental DesignContest. Peter will start a job in materials engineering at Chevron inHouston in March and thanks his family for their support. He enjoyswhitewater kayaking and snow skiing.Anthony Lee HickersonB.S., Computer Science, '12Tony participated in motion planning research with ComputerScience faculty and intends to work as a software engineer, developingand improving computer applications. He is very appreciative of thesupport shown by the School of Engineering faculty and staff that havemade UNM such a great experience for him. Tony is an NSF Scholarand volunteered at many UNM Engineering events.Luke Allen YatesB.S., Mechanical Engineering, '127Luke came to UNM after working as a supervisor in the HeatingVentilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) field a few years after highschool. He has an internship at Sandia National Labs, was on theLOBO Motorsports team, and is in Pi Tau Sigma, Tau Beta Pi, andthe Association of Energy Engineers. Luke plans to pursue his Ph.D.and research nano/microscale heat transfer. He enjoys racquetball,mountain biking, rock climbing, and backpacking.

Convocation TraditionsThroughout their long and proud history, universities have retained and cherished strong ties to theirceremonial roots. When English universities were taking form in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries,scholars were also clerics. They adopted robes similar to those of their monastic orders. Caps were anecessity in the drafty buildings and copes, or capes with hoods attached, were needed for warmth.School of Engineering ConvocationThe School of Engineering Convocation pays tribute to the history and traditions of graduations throughoutthe ages. The bachelor’s gown is red, has long sleeves, and is worn closed. The master’s and doctor’s gownsare black. The cap, originally round, is now a square mortarboard and is the same for all degrees. Caps aretraditionally black with a long tassel fastened to the mid-point. The tassel is worn on the right side untilthe degree has been conferred; it is then worn on the left. The hood indicates the type of degree and theofficial color or colors of the university conferring the degree. For example, the color orange representsengineering, and that color is used on the velvet binding or edging of the hood. The official University ofNew Mexico colors are cherry and silver, so the hood is lined with silver gray with a chevron of cherry red.The Convocation begins and ends with a colorful academic procession, led by a staff member carrying abanner in front of the School of Engineering degree candidates. The faculty marshal is usually selectedfrom School of Engineering emeritus faculty, an honorary title for retired full-time faculty. The facultymarshal carries a mace or ceremonial staff and leads the platform party, composed of School of Engineeringacademic leadership, UNM regents and dignitaries, and convocation speakers.The mace traces its origins to a medieval weapon and was later carried before kings and high church officialsas a ceremonial emblem of authority. The School of Engineering mace was designed by Dean EmeritusJoseph L. Cecchi and constructed in 2003 by engineering staff member Penn Davis. The mace handle isconnected to a machined aluminum cube with wood panels inscribed with the University Seal and “TheSchool of Engineering 1906,” the year the School was founded. The mace is crowned by a wooden sphere.8

The School of EngineeringEngineering instruction at the University of New Mexico has a rich tradition, beginning in 1906, withfour-year programs in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Mining Engineering. The first Bachelor ofScience degree was awarded in June 1912. By 1916, enrollment was at 37 with two or three graduates eachyear. In 1947, the Department of Chemical Engineering was established, and in 1972 it expanded to theDepartment of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering. Computer Science courses were initially offered inthe Mathematics Department and in 1976, the Computer Science Department was established. With theaddition of Computer Engineering to the Department of Electrical Engineering in 1979, the present-daycomplement of academic departments was in place.This fall, the UNM School of Engineering enrolled over 1100 students in nine undergraduate degreeprograms and close to 700 students in more than a dozen graduate degree programs. These degrees areoffered through the School’s five academic departments and, increasingly, through interdisciplinary andinterdepartmental programs. Research is integrated into each degree program in an environment thatfosters teamwork, cultural and intellectual diversity, a strong sense of public responsibility, and lifelonglearning. An exceptionally active research faculty work in critical and cutting-edge areas, collaboratingwithin UNM and with other universities, the national laboratories, and industry to develop innovativesolutions for societal challenges.9

Degrees AwardedOrder of PresentationDepartment of Chemical and Nuclear EngineeringNanoscience and MicrosystemsDepartment of Civil EngineeringDepartment of Computer ScienceDepartment of Electrical and Computer EngineeringOptical Science and EngineeringDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringManufacturing EngineeringGraduate Student Recognition“Graduating with Distinction” recognizes the exceptional performance ofstudents who graduate with a Master’s or Doctor of Philosophy degree. The statusis determined at the time of the final examination through agreement of theexamining committee members, with final approval given by the department chair.10

Chemical and Nuclear EngineeringBachelor of Science in Chemical EngineeringStephen P. Clark*Jared M. GilbertEmma J. Renteria*Peter Frederick CrowderChelsey J. FentonKylen S. JohnsLisa M. LoweryDharma S. Voisine*Bachelor of Science in Nuclear EngineeringAlex S. BennettAndrew M. ToniganMaster of Science in Chemical EngineeringRichard E. BlakeleyAndres L. Sanchez*Abishek VenkatakrishnanDanielle M. LussierTravis J. Savage*Master of Science in Nuclear EngineeringMatthew A. GonzalesDominic A. Maes*Paul D. WardErin I. HusherRyan J. KammJacob M. MillerBoyce W. TravisDoctor of Philosophy in EngineeringShayna R. BrocatoUlises A. MartinezMichael J. RisingRodney L. KeithAnant J. PatelKristin N. Wilde*Nanoscience and MicrosystemsMaster of Science in Nanoscience and MicrosystemsAlaa A. El Maoued*James A. FitchRachel M. Hjelm*Dung T. Nguyen*John B. PlumleyDoctor of Philosophy in Nansocience and MicrosystemsJared N. RoyAdam T. Wise*Summer 2012 Graduates†Graduating with Distinction11

Civil EngineeringBachelor of Science in Civil EngineeringMarcus R. BarryJames Logan BrandenburgLawrence Ricky BustosRyan Joseph CurleySteven Paul GomezDavid Gabriel GutierrezChristopher J. PrimmKeith L. ThompsonMark Jeff ToledoBachelor of Science in Construction EngineeringMichelle L. BegayeBachelor of Science in Construction ManagementCory Alan Echternacht Michael E. Franco Jesus A. OrtizMaster of Science in Civil EngineeringDouglas Chan AustinAustin Phillip Heermann Jeffrey Eric Samson*†Hasan Mohammad FaisalHossein Honarvar GheitanbafJadranka MaticMd Mostaqur RahmanBhanu Kiran Tuniki*Master of Construction ManagementChase Barron DudleyRudolph John Lovejoy*Doctor of Philosophy in EngineeringMohammad Jalalpour*†Yunjie Tu*†p*Summer 2012 Graduates†Graduating with Distinction12

Computer ScienceBachelor of Science in Computer ScienceSean Wesley BrownAnthony Lee HickersonNathanael Pratt RackleyNialls Christian ChavezLeland Brooks EvansTyler W. FulcherJacob A. HobbsMichael J. MelloneJan MonterrubioRyan Isidro RomeroLucia Sashka ShortValerie Shea SteinhausMaster of Science in Computer ScienceNicholas Edward AaseMichael Robert JacobiNasser John SalimEkaterina Alexandra DavydenkoTaylor Liles GrovesJohn Richard HargerJustin Mark KelloggChien-Chi LoGeorge Wagdy Helmy SaadReffat SharmeenDoctor of Philosophy in Computer ScienceGeorge Barreto Pereira Bezerra*† Michael Matthew GroatRicardo VillalonSunny James FugateMark Joseph Olah†*Summer 2012 Graduates†Graduating with Distinction13

Electrical and Computer EngineeringBachelor of Science in Computer EngineeringAndrew Paul DelgadoPhillip Paul GarciaElias M. Paz-Rudolph*Andrew Joshua DownsJordan Andrew EspinosaRoss Michael KellySteven Michael Montoya*Kevin J. WarneNoah Zachariah WolfeBachelor of Science in Electrical EngineeringMatthew Shawn Churchman Shadei Atef Khader*Carlos Phillip Ortiz Y PinoMilton Ricardo Flores FloresWalter Lewis Gordy*Erfan HakimanBrian David MarquezJessica L. Nelson*Duc Dang NguyenManuel Perea IV*Andrew J. SandovalMaster of Science in Computer EngineeringCesar Alberto Carranza Tony Maokhamphiou*Joshua Joseph TrujilloJapji HundalApoorva SateeshRosemary Renee WilliamsMaster of Science in Electrical EngineeringSeyed Shwan Ashrafi*Andrew William Gamulja Xuyuan PanGeorgios Atmatzakis*Patricio Javier Cruz DavalosAlireza Dirafzoon*Michael Nathan EchertSaba Emrani*David Ray Galbreath*Justin David HarmsMehdi Hasan*Veronica Ordonez JacobSmitha KeshavmurthyCassandra Lynn MendoncaStephen Andrew MyersPravin M. PatelKanamu J. PupuhiRyan Aaron Schlegel*Amir ShirkhorshidanDoctor of Philosophy in EngineeringCarla Paola Agurto Rios Christopher Charles Lamb Alejandro Gonzalez RuizNutan Gautam*Alireza Ghaffarkhah*†Woo-Yong JangWillie Christopher Kiser†*Summer 2012 GraduatesCharles Daniel Lamech*Mehrzad Malmirchegini†Ivana PalunkoAshwin K. Rishinaramangalam*Shawn Ellis Taylor*Domagoj TolicQi Wang††Graduating with Distinction14

Optical Science and EngineeringMaster of Science in Optical Science and EngineeringMohammad-Ali Hosseini Dokht*Brian R. KamerMohsen NamiJason R. Oberling*Nassim Rahimi**Summer 2012 Graduates15†Graduating with Distinction

Mechanical EngineeringBachelor of Science in Mechanical EngineeringJoaquin BorjaGordon Everett ByersRoger L. ChavezLuke Houlden EngvallSteven Kevin FitzwaterJoshua Michael HerreraChristopher Thomas KirbyAndrew Michael KriegerNicholas J. MartinezMegan Luna MentilloStormy Ray MolinaNicolita Rebecca MontoyaServio Tulio MorenoAndrew W. MurphyGregory Michael NaranjoCrystal Ariana PlontJose Fernando Najera PuenteBrenda L. QuintanaHoward A. RennisDionicio Favian RiosMatthew Nicholas RobinsonEric Michael UlrichElisa M. WassonPatrick John WayneLuke Allen YatesMaster of Science in Mechanical EngineeringAdam W. CookManuel N. MartinezJude M. OkaJeremy L. GuthrieChristohper M. HandyRobert T. MinerDominic A. MunozDoctor of Philosophy in EngineeringKhawar AbbasDrew Francis GoettlerDominic R. MaestasMatthew A. Neidigkp*Summer 2012 Graduates†Graduating with Distinction16

Message from the Alumni AssociationCongratulations, Graduates!Now that you have graduated, you are automatically a member of the UNM Alumni Association. Thereare no dues.The Alumni Association and Alumni Relations Office keep the University of New Mexico and its alumnicommunicating and connected.The UNM Young Alumni Chapter caters to the needs of alums who graduated from UNM within the last15 years, whether they stay in New Mexico or relocate to another state.Visit the UNM Alumni Association web site for information, including career exploration sites, temporaryhealth insurance information, alumni publications, links to online communities, and much more. For acomplete listing of benefits, go to http://www.unmalumni.com.Again, congratulations from the UNM Alumni Association!17

Guidelines for Graduates and GuestsCooperation RequestedFamily members and guests are encouraged to take photos of the ceremony and the graduates. Whiletaking photos, please be courteous and respectful of the students leaving the stage. The audience maynot enter the stage area at any time during the program.Commencement PhotographerGrad Images will take candid photographs of all graduates at their special moment of recognition.Graduates will receive a free proof of this photo via email and regular mail within 5 to 7 days followingthe ceremony. You may place orders or obtain answers to questions at the Grad Images website forgraduate photos, www.gradimages.com or by calling 1-800-424-3686.DiplomasThe Records and Registration Office will mail diplomas (unless the student has specified that it beheld for pick-up) after grades have been received and recorded, which is usually in mid-February forFall graduates. Diploma-related questions should be directed to UNM Records and Registration at505-277-6310 or by email to degrees@unm.edu.