What’s New? The Latest from the IEP Alumni Network

August 7, 2026

IEP alumni share some of their recent highlights and accomplishments. Additionally, we celebrate a few recent master’s graduates and call attention to the efforts of several IEP alumni in service to the IEP.

Alumni Updates

Pat Tunney, ’00 German IEP & Computer Engineering

New Jersey – Pat Tunney recently returned to the University of Rhode Island with his son, Dugan, who is considering the International Engineering Program (IEP). Following a campus tour hosted by the URI Welcome Center, they joined Dr. Berka for lunch at the TI House, where they discussed several exciting ocean engineering research initiatives being developed through IEP partnerships with universities in Germany and Spain. The visit offered an opportunity to reconnect with URI while giving Dugan a firsthand look at the innovative international and research opportunities available through the IEP.

Greg Taylor, ’02 German IEP & Mechanical Engineering

Lake Wylie, SC / Charlotte, NC – Promoted to Manager of Generator Customer Order Engineering at Siemens Energy in Charlotte, NC.

A photo of three researchers in a biomedical lab space, with Gabe and Heathre standing and Nevan on a hospital bed with technical instruments around him.
From left to right: Gabriel Vargas, Nevan Hanumara (reclined), Heather DiFazio. Photo courtesy of Nevan Hanumara

Nevan Hanumara,
’04 French IEP & mechanical engineering

Gabriel Varga,
’21 Spanish IEP & biomedical engineering

Heather DiFazio,
’23 German IEP & biomedical engineering

Cambridge, MA – A serendipitous meeting of three URI IEP Alums, Nevan Hanumara, ’04, Gabriel Varga, ’21, and Heather DiFazio, ’23, at the MIT Center for Clinical and Translational Research for a study in tissue physiology. Nevan went from URI to MIT and is “still in school” as a research scientist, Gabe is a clinical research technologist and Heather is starting her PhD in the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology (HST) Program. 

Ana, her husband and her child take a selfie in a golf cart. All are wearing different colored polos, Ana is wearing sunglasses, her hsuband is wearing a white hat and her kid is making a peace sign.
Ana Franco and her family. Photo courtesy of Ana Catalina Franco

Ana Catalina Franco, ’06 German IEP & Mechanical Engineering

Atlanta – Ana now celebrates 20 years since graduating from the program. Since then she has been in various roles in the automotive and defense industry and over the last 14 years she’s been at Siemens as Head of Strategy and Product management. She lives with her husband and child (5) in Atlanta, GA.

Ian and Dr. Mattiauda are standing in a space with model boats on display smiling. Ian has a broad styled moustache, a blue jacket and jeans, while Dr. Mattiauda wears a black puffer jacket, a printed scarf and black pants.
Ian McElroy and Dr. Mattiauda meet up in Paris. Photo courtesy of Dr. Odile Mattiauda

Ian McElroy, ’19 French IEP & Ocean Engineering

Paris – Ian is now in his sixth year of working for Forssea Robotics in Paris, France. Dr. Odile Mattiauda (French IEP director) made a point of visiting with him while abroad this summer!

Recent Master’s Graduates

Dr. Sigrid Berka attended the defenses of several masters students this May. Below are a few featured students and their dissertations. Congratulations to the students below as well as all of our new master’s and dual master’s graduates!

A collage of photos: Dr. Berka stands with Anna in front of her thesis presentation on a screen. Dr. Berka is wearing a black vest and leaf printed pants, Anna is wearing a gray suit. Anna is with seven members of her defense panel. Johanna Zoeller presents her research at a podium with a map of the US in the background; Eleonora is with her parents, all formally dressed and Eleonora with a grad cap in front of the stone-faced Green Hall; Eleonora stands in the middle of a glass hallway in Fascitelli wearing a grad cap and a black pantsuit; Lasse Franzen is shown next to a diagram of his research project at a lectern.
From left to right: Anna Cetera (right) with Dr. Berka; Anna Ceter and her theis committee; Johanna Zöller presenting her dissertatation; Eleonora Mass and her parents in front of Green Hall; Eleonora wearing her grad cap in the halls of the Fascitelli Center; Lasse Franzen takes questions during his master’s defense. Photos courtesy of Dr. Sigrid Berka and Eleonora Massa

Anna Cetera, ’24 Spanish IEP & biomedical engineering, ’26 MS in electrical engineering

Anna recently completed her Master’s of Science in Electrical Engineering. Her thesis was called “Decoding Upper Limb Neuromotor Activity for Brain-Machine Interface Applications”. Her advisor was Dr. Reza Abiri (Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering).

Lasse Franzen, ’26 URI-TU Braunschweig dual master’s graduate, MS in civil engineering

For his dissertation, Lasse presented on the topic of “Assessing Modular and Conventional Construction for Sustainable Student Housing at the University of Rhode Island: A Life Cycle Approach”. His advisor was Dr. Vinka Oyanedel-Craver (civil and environmental engineering).

Johanna Zöller, ’26 URI-TU Braunschweig dual master’s graduate, MS in systems engineering

The title of Johanna’s dissertation is “A Lexicographic Multi-Objective Warehouse Location Problem Considering Services Levels and Carbon Emissions”. She was primarily advised by Dr. Valerie Maier-Speredelozzi (industrial and systems engineering) and assisted by Dr. Vinka Oyanedel-Craver (civil and environmental engineering).

Eleonora Massa, ’26 URI-University of Naples Partenope dual master’s graduate, MS in mechanical/management engineering

Eleonora’s thesis is entitled “Interpretable Machine Learning for Renewable Energy Forecasting”. Her advisor was Dr. Sumanta Das (civil & environmental engineering). Eleonora’s parents flew in to attend her defense!

Reflecting on her year abroad at URI, Eleonora commented: “A master’s degree, lifelong friendships, unforgettable experiences, moments I’ll cherish forever, and so much more—that’s what I’m bringing back home.

It’s been an incredible journey, one that has challenged me, changed me, and helped me grow in ways I never expected. Living abroad, meeting people from all over the world, and stepping outside my comfort zone have given me memories and lessons that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

Rhode Island, thank you for becoming a place I’ll always call a second home.” 

Spring 2026 Alumni Engagement

Michaela Connell, ’17 French IEP & Chemical Engineering

Michaela Connell stands in front of a slide that details her experiences in the French IEP and has several photos of her time in France.
Michaela Connell kicks off the annual IEP senior celebration this year. Photo courtesy of Melissa Schenck

This year, Michaela was not only our guest speaker at the IEP’s senior send-off (April 2026), but she was also a featured speaker at the annual Multilingual Education Advocacy Day at the RI State House in March. 

At the send-off, her remarks emphasized that while students will inevitably come up against obstacles during their time abroad (and in life), those lows can make the highs so much more worthwhile and can be instrumental in forging our careers and identities after the fact. 

Michaela now works as the new business development manager at Cathtek.

Kevin Valerio, ’18 German IEP & Mechanical Engineering

Kevin Valerio stands in front of a slide showing his career experiences since he completed the IEP, starting with Catepillar, to Rolls Royce and now Wenger Corp.
Kevin Valerio demonstrates his career trajectory to a cafeteria full of students and teachers at Paul Cuffee Upper School in April 2026.

At the end of April, Kevin spoke in front of about 220 high schoolers and 30 teachers at the Paul Cuffee Upper School in Providence, RI. Having grown up right around the block from the school, being able to share his academic and career journey with local students was a really meaningful experience for everyone involved! Kevin is a proud alum of not just the IEP but also SHPE, NSBE and Talent Development.

He talked about his motivations for studying German (as a native speaker of Spanish) and mechanical engineering, some highlights from his time abroad and how his internship propelled him into his career.

These days, Kevin is an operations manager at Wenger Corp., helping to install and maintain equipment in local theaters/arts venues to help automate set changes and more – a great role model for fellow engineers by both supporting the arts and making a positive impact on the local community through his work! 

Jorge Menacho Aliaga, ’25 German IEP & Civil Engineering

Jorge Menacho Aliaga and Jeremy Hererra Santos sit behind a table covered with a blue IEP tablecloth and several pamphlets and brochures about the IEP. Jorge is wearing a hat while Jeremy is making a peace symbol. Both are wearing IEP T-shirts.
Jorge Menacho Aliaga (right) and Jeremy Herrera Santos repping the IEP at the IEP’s first appearance at the RI STEAM Expo. Photo courtesy of Melissa Schenck

Jorge participated in the RI STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) Expo in May alongside current Spanish IEPer Jeremy Herrera Santos and Melissa Schenck. The team staffed a table at the event, which took place in Providence at the Providence Career and Tech Academy, and throughout the day chatted with a mix of families, educators and community representatives – in both Spanish and English.

Jorge currently works at Bowman Consulting as a civil engineer.