Newsletter

College of Engineering
Winter Newsletter

From day one, UMassD engineering students get hands-on experience in their chosen fields through research, internships, and real-world projects. Read on to see what's been happening in the College of Engineering.

Bioengineering student Kissamy Georges at her research internship at Vanderbilt University

Kissamy Georges '27: Defying expectations

Kissamy Georges '27 (bioengineering) capped off her first year in college with a competitive research experience funded by the NSF at Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. From the campus life to the academic opportunities, Georges says her UMass Dartmouth experience has exceeded all her expectations.

Read Kissamy's story

Electrical engineering student Erika Caushi

Erika Caushi '23, '24: Electrical engineer

Electrical engineering 4+1 alumna Erika Caushi wins Women in Spectrum award

Erika Caushi '23, '24 is one of four students nationwide awarded the National Spectrum Consortium (NSC) third annual Women in Spectrum Scholarship. The winners were recognized at the IEEE Military Communications Conference (MILCOM) in November 2024. In an interview with National Spectrum Consortium board member Sheryl Genco, Caushi said early exposure to STEM fields and mentorship programs are key to encouraging more girls to study engineering.

Caushi recently graduated from the UMassD College of Engineering's accelerated BS/MS program in electrical engineering. Today, she is a systems engineer for General Dynamics.

"We are thrilled with the work the UMassD students completed, and we are looking forward to continuing this partnership in the future."
Jen Kelly Education Department Chair, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, USA

In collaboration with Whale and Dolphin Conservation, UMass Dartmouth computer science students Frank Wenner '24, '25 and Aidan Theobald '26 developed an educational video game to help protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale.

See how they did it...

Mechanical Engineering student James Bonnell in the lab with Prof. Hangjian Ling

James Bonnell '25 gets hands-on experience through research and internships

James Bonnell ’25 is a mechanical engineering student at UMass Dartmouth with a concentration in advanced manufacturing and a passion for hands-on learning. Through research, internships, and campus clubs, Bonnell is gaining valuable industry experience and building a strong foundation for a future in the defense sector.

Bonnell collaborated with Dr. Hangjian Ling on cutting-edge research involving superhydrophobic surfaces. He also completed an internship at Innofiber (Sterling, MA) that allowed him to gain real-world experience without sacrificing academic progress. On campus, Bonnell actively applied his hands-on skills alongside peers in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), SolidWorks Club, and Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

"It’s a very hands-on environment...These are all skills I’ll use when I enter the workforce. I plan to work in the defense industry after I graduate, and I’ve already started receiving job offers,” Bonnell said.

"I've always enjoyed solving puzzles, and civil engineering projects are like puzzles that impact real people."
Cameron Ferreira MS '25 Civil engineering

Cameron Ferreira, a graduate student in civil engineering works with Dr. Walaa Mogawer at the UMassD Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to develop sustainable asphalt pavement. In January, he presented his research to a national audience at the 2025 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

Ferreira also worked on the Fall River Waterfront Revitalization project, a collaborative effort between students in the College of Engineering and in the College of Visual and Performing Arts to propose development plans for vacant land along the waterfront in Fall River. "It was an amazing collaborative effort between engineers and architects, and an awesome opportunity to present our work to city officials and community leaders," Ferreira said.

Alexis Petty '24: Where physics meets medicine

As an undergraduate at UMassD, Petty was selected for a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU) at Harvard and MIT's Health Science and Technology Biomedical Optics Summer Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital's Wellman Center for Photomedicine. "I want to go into radiation therapy and specialize in pediatrics to help children getting treatment have the best and most comfortable experience possible," she said.

Where is she now? Petty is pursuing a graduate degree in medical physics at Brown University.

Learn more about what it's like to be a physics major at UMassD.

UMassD Faculty Spotlight: Lamya Karim Ph.D

In Dr. Karim's lab, students take the lead in researching the effects of diabetes on bone health. Breakthroughs in biomedical engineering start right here.

Professor Vijaya Chalivendra receives Society for Experimental Mechanics award

Professor of Mechanical Engineering Vijaya Chalivendra has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 M. M. Frocht Award. This award is specifically “in recognition of outstanding achievements as an educator in the field of experimental mechanics.”

Computer science program ranked among the best

The UMassD computer science program soared in national rankings this year according to U.S. News and World Report.

The computer science undergraduate program is now the 3rd-highest ranked computer science program among public universities in New England, and the 2nd-highest ranked among public universities in MA.

Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research status renewed

UMass Dartmouth renews designation as Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research

The designation is awarded by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Program and the National Security Agency.

To receive a Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C) designation, institutions must meet the rigorous requirements set forth by the sponsor of the program, the National Security Agency (NSA). The NSA awards these designations to institutions committed to producing cybersecurity professionals who will help safeguard our national infrastructure.

6th annual Empowering Women in STEM event connects UMassD students and STEM professionals

The evening concluded with recognizing this year’s recipients of the Women in Defense—Greater Boston Chapter scholarships.

Empowering Women in STEM is an annual networking and professional development opportunity for students pursuing science and engineering. This year's invited guests included industry professionals from companies like RTX, BAE Systems, and SEACORP, LLC, and SouthCoast Wind, who offered career advice and connections with students in attendance.