{"id":89337,"date":"2026-08-07T19:32:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/?p=89337"},"modified":"2026-08-07T19:37:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:37:38","slug":"whats-new-the-latest-from-the-iep-alumni-network-8-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/whats-new-the-latest-from-the-iep-alumni-network-8-26\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s New? The Latest from the IEP Alumni Network"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alumni Updates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pat Tunney, ’00 German IEP & Computer Engineering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

New Jersey<\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Greg Taylor, \u2019<\/strong>02 German IEP & Mechanical Engineering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lake Wylie, SC \/ Charlotte, NC<\/strong> \u2013 Promoted to Manager of Generator Customer Order Engineering at Siemens Energy in Charlotte, NC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"A
From left to right: Gabriel Vargas, Nevan Hanumara (reclined), Heather DiFazio. Photo courtesy of Nevan Hanumara <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Nevan Hanumara, <\/strong>
\u2019<\/strong>04 French IEP & mechanical engineering<\/strong>

Gabriel Varga, <\/strong>
\u2019<\/strong>21 Spanish IEP & biomedical engineering<\/strong>

Heather DiFazio, <\/strong>
\u2019<\/strong>23 German IEP & biomedical engineering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cambridge, MA<\/strong> \u2013 A serendipitous meeting of three URI IEP Alums, Nevan Hanumara, \u201904, Gabriel Varga, \u201921, and Heather DiFazio, \u201923, at the MIT Center for Clinical and Translational Research for a study in tissue physiology. Nevan went from URI to MIT and is \u201cstill in school\u201d 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Ana,
Ana Franco and her family. Photo courtesy of Ana Catalina Franco<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ana Catalina Franco, \u2019<\/strong>06 German IEP & Mechanical Engineering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Atlanta \u2013 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\u2019s been at Siemens as Head of Strategy and Product management. She lives with her husband and child (5) in Atlanta, GA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Ian
Ian McElroy and Dr. Mattiauda meet up in Paris. Photo courtesy of Dr. Odile Mattiauda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ian McElroy, \u2019<\/strong>19 French IEP & Ocean Engineering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Paris \u2013 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Recent Master’s Graduates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A
From left to right: Anna Cetera (right) with Dr. Berka; Anna Ceter and her theis committee; Johanna Z\u00f6ller 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<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Anna Cetera, \u201924 Spanish IEP & biomedical engineering, \u201926 MS in electrical engineering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anna recently completed her Master\u2019s of Science in Electrical Engineering. Her thesis was called \u201cDecoding Upper Limb Neuromotor Activity for Brain-Machine Interface Applications\u201d. Her advisor was Dr. Reza Abiri (Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lasse Franzen, \u201926 URI-TU Braunschweig dual master\u2019s graduate, MS in civil engineering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For his dissertation, Lasse presented on the topic of \u201cAssessing Modular and Conventional Construction for Sustainable Student Housing at the University of Rhode Island: A Life Cycle Approach\u201d. His advisor was Dr. Vinka Oyanedel-Craver (civil and environmental engineering).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Johanna Z\u00f6ller, \u201926 URI-TU Braunschweig dual master\u2019s graduate, MS in systems engineering<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The title of Johanna\u2019s dissertation is \u201cA Lexicographic Multi-Objective Warehouse Location Problem Considering Services Levels and Carbon Emissions\u201d. She was primarily advised by Dr. Valerie Maier-Speredelozzi (industrial and systems engineering) and assisted by Dr. Vinka Oyanedel-Craver (civil and environmental engineering).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eleonora Massa, \u201926 URI-University of Naples Partenope dual master’s graduate, MS in mechanical\/management engineering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eleonora\u2019s thesis is entitled \u201cInterpretable Machine Learning for Renewable Energy Forecasting\u201d. Her advisor was Dr. Sumanta Das (civil & environmental engineering). Eleonora\u2019s parents flew in to attend her defense!

Reflecting on her year abroad at URI, Eleonora commented: \u201cA master\u2019s degree, lifelong friendships, unforgettable experiences, moments I\u2019ll cherish forever, and so much more\u2014that\u2019s what I\u2019m bringing back home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s 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\u2019ll carry with me for the rest of my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhode Island, thank you for becoming a place I\u2019ll always call a second home.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Spring 2026 Alumni Engagement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Michaela Connell, \u2019<\/strong>17 French IEP & Chemical Engineering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Michaela
Michaela Connell kicks off the annual IEP senior celebration this year. Photo courtesy of Melissa Schenck<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This year, Michaela was not only our guest speaker at the IEP\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michaela now works as the new business development manager at Cathtek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kevin Valerio, \u201918 German IEP & Mechanical Engineering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Kevin
Kevin Valerio demonstrates his career trajectory to a cafeteria full of students and teachers at Paul Cuffee Upper School in April 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jorge Menacho Aliaga, \u2019<\/strong>25 German IEP & Civil Engineering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Jorge
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<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jorge currently works at Bowman Consulting as a civil engineer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 \u2013 Pat Tunney recently returned to the University of Rhode […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2296,"featured_media":89419,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-89337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iep"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89337","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2296"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=89337"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89337\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":89430,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89337\/revisions\/89430"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/89419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=89337"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=89337"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/engineering\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=89337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}