class of 2024

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Class of 2024

Published July 17, 2024

Yellow Jackets Who Push Beyond Boundaries

The 2024 class of 40 Under 40 highlights the work of Yellow Jackets around the globe whose innovative spirits inspire us all. Collectively, the honorees are building roads, shaping the future of nuclear energy, advancing space exploration, improving outcomes in individuals with mobility impairments, creating inventions that change the world, and impacting every aspect of life.  

The Alumni Association is proud to celebrate this exceptional class of Jackets who have done the impossible; from Melissa Einwechter, IAML 06, whose work and research focus on reducing the global threat from weapons of mass destruction, to Zinet Kemal, MS Cybersecurity 23, an award-winning cybersecurity advocate and four-time award-winning author, these individuals achieve the impossible. Yellow Jackets impact every sector all around the globe.   

Nominees, who must have completed at least one semester at Georgia Tech and be under the age of 40 as of June 30, 2024, were scored using a 25-point rubric by a committee of 24 faculty, staff, and volunteers who collectively represented all Georgia Tech colleges. 

If you are interested in engaging an honoree with your student organization, within your classroom, or in any other way, reach out to Janet Kinard, janet.kinard@alumni.gatech.edu. Be sure to check out this interactive tableau by Josh Preston of the College of Computing.
$altText Abdalla Abou-Jaoude, PhD NRE 17

Abdalla Abou-Jaoude, PhD NRE 17

Deputy National Technical Director of the Systems Analysis & Integration Campaign | Idaho National Laboratory

Abdalla Abou-Jaoude is an authority on advanced reactor technology, holding pivotal responsibilities at Idaho National Lab (INL). As the deputy national technical director of a Department of Energy (DOE) campaign and the MARVEL experiment interface, he spearheads critical initiatives shaping the future of nuclear energy. Previously, Abou-Jaoude was the advanced reactor research integrator with a broad research portfolio across seven DOE programs on topics stemming from molten salt technology to nuclear techno-economics and multiphysics simulation. He most notably led a first-of-its-kind fueled salt irradiation experiment. He received his doctoral degree from Georgia Tech and previously was the INL Deslonde de Boisblanc Distinguished Postdoctoral Associate.

Favorite Tech Memory: The first time I kissed my now-wife at a Georgia Tech student society–organized party on February 13, 2016! 
$altText Gul A. Amir, CE 13

Gul A. Amir, CE 13

Traffic Engineer 3 | Georgia Department of Transportation

Gul Amir is an entrepreneur and a highly efficient traffic engineer with the Georgia Department of Transportation. She has experience in signal operations, contract management, and Department of Transportation policies. Amir’s communication skills and ability to handle complex signal operation projects have allowed her to excel in this position. She is a passionate, certified substitute teacher and PTSA volunteer. Amir loves to give back to the community and sews weighted blankets for people in need.

Favorite Tech Memory: Working as an undergraduate research assistant for the I-85 HOT lane project. Seeing the project being researched and seeing it coming into reality.
$altText Joseph Boettcher, EE 17, MS CS 21

Joseph Boettcher, EE 17, MS CS 21

Co-founder | SlateSafety

Joe Boettcher graduated with a bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering in 2017 and a master’s in Computer Science from Georgia Tech in 2021. While at Tech, he founded SlateSafety with fellow Yellow Jackets, Tyler Sisk, EE 17, and Zack Braun, CmpE 17, MS CS 21. SlateSafety has raised $7 million in funding to invent and deploy safety technology that protects first responders, military service members, and industrial workers. The SlateSafety BAND V2 won multiple occupational health and safety awards and was named to TIME magazine’s “The 100 Best Inventions of 2021.” Boettcher resides in Decatur, Georgia, with his wife, Vickie, his cousin, Gabbie, and their cat, Meowry.

Favorite Tech Memory: The night before graduation, talking with my co-founders to turn down our job offers to work on our startup full-time.
$altText Jonathan Blake Brannon, EE 06, MS ECE 07

Jonathan Blake Brannon, EE 06, MS ECE 07

Chief Product & Strategy Officer | OneTrust

As chief product and strategy officer, Blake Brannon oversees all aspects of OneTrust’s products, which help organizations ensure responsible data use across privacy, ethics and compliance. Prior, Brannon was OneTrust’s first chief technology officer, building the “technology platform of trust,” which has been awarded more than 300 patents. Before OneTrust, Brannon was one of the first employees at AirWatch (acquired by VMware), where he served as global director of sales engineering and vice president of product marketing.

Favorite Tech Memory: When we finally beat Virginia Tech and the students took down the goal post in the football field. Go Jackets!
$altText Wendy Brown, BME 11

Wendy Brown, BME 11

Director of Regulatory and Clinical Affairs at Cartilage Inc., and Associate Research Specialist at DELTAi | Cartilage Inc. / University of California, Irvine

Wendy Brown is the director of regulatory and clinical affairs at Cartilage Inc., a start-up company she co-founded to commercialize engineered cartilage technologies. Brown is also an associate research specialist at the University of California, Irvine. She earned her bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering with high honors from Georgia Tech and was captain of the Goldrush Dance Team. Brown earned her doctorate degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California, Davis, and a master’s in Regulatory Science from the University of Southern California. Brown cheered professionally for seven years for the Atlanta Falcons, Sacramento Kings, and Oakland Raiders, and now serves as the director of outreach for the Science Cheerleaders, a STEM nonprofit.

Favorite Tech Memory: My first football game as a Goldrush dancer, standing in the end zone for the flyover during the national anthem.

$altText Leon Chen, MS AE 22

Leon Chen, MS AE 22

NASA ISS / Commercial Destination ECLS Subsystem Manager | The Aerospace Corporation

Leon Chen is the NASA ISS / Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) subsystem manager, with extensive experience at NASA, SpaceX, and the U.S. Air Force. Specializing in Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS), Chen led critical projects, including designing, supporting, and advancing ECLSS for ISS and commercial space stations. As an active researcher, Chen contributes to pioneering research projects at Georgia Tech, the Aerospace Corporation, and NASA. As Section 506 chair at the International Conference of Environmental Systems (ICES), Chen is dedicated to advancing human spaceflight and inspiring the next generation of aerospace engineers.

Favorite Tech Memory: I love studying on the 7th floor of Crosland Tower, where I can enjoy the fantastic skyline view.
$altText Bethany Davis, MBA 11, MS AE 11

Bethany Davis, MBA 11, MS AE 11

Head of Aircraft Systems | JetZero

Bethany Davis is head of aircraft systems at JetZero, a company developing a blended-wing commercial jet that will dramatically reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Before joining JetZero, Davis spent 10 years at Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah, Georgia. Davis has been a jet-rated pilot and flight instructor for over 20 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics, graduating summa cum laude from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Davis spent a year in Mexico City on a Fulbright Scholarship. She earned a master’s in Aerospace Engineering and an MBA from Georgia Tech.

Favorite Tech Memory: Playing golf at East Lake with alumni Bryan Moss and Tom Fanning.
$altText Melissa Einwechter, IAML 06

Melissa Einwechter, IAML 06

Director, Nonproliferation and Arms Control | Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC

Melissa Einwechter is the director of Nonproliferation and Arms Control for two National Nuclear Security Administration sites: the Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee and the Pantex Plant in Texas. Her work and research focus on reducing the global threat from weapons of mass destruction. She is a recipient of the Linton Brooks Medal for Dedication to Public Service and the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management’s Early Career Award. Passionate about civic engagement, she serves on the board of directors for nonprofits focused on exotic animal rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, and historic downtown revitalization. Einwechter and her family live in Clinton, Tennessee.

Favorite Tech Memory: Together with my teammates, launching what is today the Collegiate Club Swimming National Championships.
$altText Austin Foote, EE 13, MS ECE 14

Austin Foote, EE 13, MS ECE 14

Senior Research Engineer, Branch Head | Georgia Tech Research Institute

Austin Foote is a senior research engineer and head of the RF Systems Branch within the Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory of the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). He functions as a project director, principal investigator, engineering lead, and subject matter expert across numerous research programs, including the development of GTRI’s highly successful Angry Kitten Pod system. He specializes in leading large, multidisciplinary teams of researchers developing new electronic systems. He also serves as the chapter chair of IEEE Atlanta AESS/GRSS, a short course instructor for Georgia Tech Professional Education, and a sports photographer for the Georgia Tech Athletic Association.

Favorite Tech Memory: Rushing the field and tearing down the goal posts after Georgia Tech defeated No. 4 Virginia Tech in 2009.
$altText Laura Gravesen, ID 07, MBA 09

Laura Gravesen, ID 07, MBA 09

Legislative Affairs Lead for Public Health Infrastructure | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Laura Gravesen serves as legislative affairs lead for public health infrastructure at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In this role, she moves policy forward to strengthen state, Tribal, local, and territorial public health. During the COVID-19 response, she led policy for the Data, Analytics, and Visualization Task Force and managed congressional relations with appropriators as CDC received $17 billion in supplemental appropriations. Gravesen worked to secure landmark capital investments, including a high-containment laboratory. She began her career at the CDC in sustainability and served on detail to the White House Council on Environmental Quality. She lives in Decatur, Georgia, with her husband and two children. 

Favorite Tech Memory: Speaking at Freshman Convocation alongside President Clough.
$altText Kinsey Herrin, MS PO 10

Kinsey Herrin, MS PO 10

Senior Research Scientist | Georgia Institute of Technology

Kinsey Herrin is a senior research scientist in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the director of the Human Interface Design Development and Engineering lab. Her research focuses on advancing state-of-the-art assistive and rehab technology and studying the associated outcomes in individuals with mobility impairments. She is passionate about advancing technology and clinical care to improve mobility and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. She completed her residency training in orthotics at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and prosthetics at the University of Michigan and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.

Favorite Tech Memory: The slide at the Georgia Tech pool was one of my favorite things to do with friends after triathlon training at the gym!
$altText James K. Holder II, Arch 08, MS BC 10

James K. Holder II, Arch 08, MS BC 10

Founder & Executive Director | Working to Expand Housing Access & Viability (WEHAV)

James K. Holder II is a designer, entrepreneur, and community advocate who lifts the underserved. With Georgia Tech degrees in Architecture and Building Construction, and a social innovation design degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Holder brings attention to marginalized people through revitalizing neglected properties in historically Black neighborhoods and establishing SIGNIFest, a film festival that celebrates female and nonbinary filmmakers of color. Holder’s NGO, WEHAV, provides equitable housing for climate migrants, which is an extension of his philanthropic work at Georgia Tech, where he founded Project HONOR (Helping Others in New Orleans to Rebuild) to support communities in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and Your Face HERE (Haitian Earthquake Relief Effort) to fundraise for Haitian earthquake victims.

Favorite Tech Memory: Presenting Maya Angelou with a gift following her “Finding Common Ground” speech and being turned into a meme in the Technique when she ghosted me at the podium.
$altText William Hudson, BME 09

William Hudson, BME 09

Assistant Professor | Baylor College of Medicine

Will Hudson is an assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, where he leads innovative research in T-cell immunology and cancer therapy. His work centers on understanding T-cell dysfunction and developing new immunotherapies. A recipient of prestigious grants from the NIH and other institutions, Hudson is actively engaged in publishing and mentoring emerging scientists. He earned his doctorate degree from Emory University and was recognized for his contributions to cancer treatment and immunology. Hudson, his wife, Lauren, and their four children reside in The Woodlands, Texas.

Favorite Tech Memory: The triple option running over UGA at Sanford Stadium in 2008.
$altText Gráinne Hutton, IAML 15

Gráinne Hutton, IAML 15

Senior Health Communications Advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | ASRT, Inc.

Gráinne Hutton is a global health advocate who is passionate about promoting health equity and alleviating disease burden. With a wealth of experience spanning three continents, she has spearheaded immunization programs, championed gender equality and environmental health initiatives, coordinated post-pandemic recovery efforts, and played a major role in combating neglected tropical diseases. Beyond her work in public health, Hutton has driven innovation in sustainability and climate action through startups, such as Nuw Wardrobe, aimed at tackling the harmful effects of the fast fashion industry.

Favorite Tech Memory: Making lifelong friends through late-night study sessions and copious amounts of caffeine.
$altText Joshua Ingersoll, AE 18, MS AE 19

Joshua Ingersoll, AE 18, MS AE 19

Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs | Astranis Space Technologies Corp.
Advisor on Information Communication Technology Policy | United Nations—International Telecommunication Union

Josh Ingersoll lives in Washington D.C., where he is the senior manager of regulatory affairs at Astranis Space Technologies. He leads the team that manages and coordinates all of Astranis’ licensing and public policy activities for their novel MicroGEO spacecraft that connects the unconnected globally. Ingersoll is currently serving a two-year political appointment with the United Nations, where he represents America on the International Telecommunication Union’s inaugural Youth Advisory Board. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech, as well as an MBA and a master’s in Space Policy from George Washington University. Ingersoll volunteers extensively with the GTAE Mentor in Residence Program and the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program.

Favorite Tech Memory: Performing Amazing Grace in Deanston Distillery’s cask warehouse with the Georgia Tech Glee Club.
$altText Azra Ismail, CmpE 17, PhD HCC 23

Azra Ismail, CmpE 17, PhD HCC 23

Assistant Professor | Emory University

Azra Ismail is an assistant professor in Biomedical Informatics and Global Health at Emory University, where she directs the Collective Action & Research for Equity (CARE) Lab. She is also the co-founder of MakerGhat, an education nonprofit based in India that aims to nurture underserved youth to become the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. MakerGhat has reached almost a million youths to date through hands-on making programs. Ismail was named in Forbes’ "30 under 30" Asia list and has previously worked with Google, the Wadhwani Institute for AI, and United Nations Global Pulse. She has a doctorate degree in Human-Centered Computing and a bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Favorite Tech Memory: Buzz’s infectious (and even sometimes risqué) energy!
$altText Adam Jakus, MSE 09, MS MSE 10

Adam Jakus, MSE 09, MS MSE 10

Founding CEO | BioThera3 Advising & Consulting

Adam Jakus is the founding CEO of BioThera3 Advising & Consulting, a biotechnology and biofabrication consulting organization. Jakus is also the founder and former CTO of Dimension Inx Corp, an advanced biomaterial/therapeutics company. He is an inventor with a dozen patents and author of several publications, book chapters, and communications on 3D printing and tissue engineering. He has a bachelor’s and master’s in Materials Science and Engineering from Georgia Tech, as well as a master’s in Biomedical Engineering, and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University. He serves as an executive-in-residence for numerous organizations and is passionate about mentoring young scientists and engineers.

Favorite Tech Memory: Performing a liquid CO2 levitating magnet demo for kids outside the student center and hearing, “He’s a wizard!”
$altText Lining “Arnold” Ju, PhD BME 13

Lining “Arnold” Ju, PhD BME 13

Associate Professor | The University of Sydney

Lining "Arnold" Ju works at the intersection between biomedical engineering and mechanobiology. His team has pioneered multiple biomechanical nanotools, including blood-clot-on-a-chip microfluidic devices (Nature Materials 2019), single-cell biomembrane force probes (Nature Communications 2018), and 4D hemodynamic modeling (Nature 2021). His novel understanding of the mechanics behind blood clot formation has profound implications for diagnosing and preventing heart attacks and strokes. His vision is to build novel platforms that integrate advanced biomanufacturing, high-throughput biomechanical manipulation, and artificial intelligence for biobank data processing. Recently, he was awarded the prestigious $8 million Snow Fellowship. This acknowledgment fuels his mission to create microdevices that monitor and alert individuals at risk of life-threatening conditions for his father and the broader community worldwide.

Favorite Tech Memory: Free access, student-oriented education culture and leadership/integrity training that enabled my intrinsic motivation for biomedical engineering innovation.
$altText Osama Kashlan, ChBE 06

Osama Kashlan, ChBE 06

Associate Professor of Neurosurgery | Weill Cornell Medicine

Dr. Osama Kashlan is a neurosurgeon who currently serves as associate professor of Neurosurgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and is director of Spine Surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital–Brooklyn Methodist. Before joining the faculty at Cornell, Kashlan served as director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at the University of Michigan. Outside of the hospital, Kashlan is an officer in the Air National Guard and has been involved in projects to improve treatment of head injuries on the battlefield. He also has a special interest in global neurosurgery and has led multiple neurosurgery mission trips around the world.

Favorite Tech Memory: The incredible energy on campus during the 2003–2004 men’s basketball season peaking with the run to the Final Four.
$altText Zinet Kemal, MS Cybersecurity 23

Zinet Kemal, MS Cybersecurity 23

Cloud Security Engineer | Best Buy

Zinet Kemal is an immigrant from Ethiopia, a mother of four, a career-changer from the legal field, an award-winning cybersecurity advocate, TEDx speaker, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and four-time award-winning author. Kemal currently works for Best Buy, a Fortune 500 company, as a cloud security engineer. She is the recipient of the 2024 “Most Inspiring Women in Cyber” award, the 2023 Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal “40 Under 40” recognition, the Cyber Security Hub Top 25 cybersecurity leaders for 2024 distinction, the 2023 Ivan Allen Jr. Legacy Award from Georgia Tech, the 2023 SANS Difference Makers Award under Best Book of the Year for her book See Yourself in Cybersecurity, and the Women Who Code Applaud Her Awards in Security. She has been featured on Good Morning America, 11Alive, BBC, Yahoo! News, ABC News, CBS Minnesota—WCCO, and AFROTECH.

Favorite Tech Memory: My graduation day with my four kids who came from Minnesota to Atlanta and watched me walk at commencement and speak as a member of the Ramblin’ Reck Club on stage. Proud mom moment!
$altText Min-gu Kim, PhD ECE 19

Min-gu Kim, PhD ECE 19

Assistant Professor | Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea

Min-gu Kim is a biomedical device/system engineer and assistant professor in the Department of Medical Engineering of the College of Medicine at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. He is a pioneering scholar in the field of AI biomedical electronics and robotics. His contributions have been widely recognized and published in top-tier scientific journals, including Nature, Nature Communications, Advanced Functional Materials, and ACS Nano. He is a recipient of the 2020 Sigma Xi Best PhD Thesis Award from Georgia Tech, Rising Star from Advanced Materials Technologies, and nine-time best paper/poster award recipient, including the Best Oral Student Paper Award at the IEEE Sensors 2016 and the Best Poster Award at the NextFlex Workshop 2017.

Favorite Tech Memory: Had my daughter Sophia Kim during my PhD and played with her at Tech Green.
$altText Kelly Kloster Hon, ME 11, MS ME 12

Kelly Kloster Hon, ME 11, MS ME 12

Sr. Manager, Product Development Engineering | Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)

Kelly Kloster Hon is a STEMinist working toward a future with gender parity and equality in engineering. She dedicates her time to helping students develop a passion for STEM while also equipping women to be successful in the industry. Kloster Hon serves as a senator for the Society of Women Engineers and is a board member of Athena. Since earning her bachelor’s and master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, Kloster Hon has driven critical business outcomes across consumer and medical products. She is a senior R&D manager at Becton, Dickinson and Company, a global medical technology company, where she previously led their Women’s Initiative Network.

Favorite Tech Memory: Studying abroad in Germany (both times!). Exciting adventures, cultural insights, lifelong friends, improved language skills, and expanded global perspective.
$altText DJ Lewis, NRE 18

DJ Lewis, NRE 18

Director, Strategic Partnerships | Insight Global

DJ Lewis is committed to identifying and creatively solving core problems. His passions include emerging technologies, creating and fostering relationships, and enabling those around him. Professionally, Lewis is director of strategic partnerships for Insight Global’s professional services division, Evergreen. In this role, he is building a mutually beneficial partnership ecosystem and providing go-to-market (GTM) thought leadership. Lewis prides himself on his actionable commitment to his family and community at large, with Black youth being a central focus. In his free time, he can be found at the gym working out, traveling the world enjoying the local culture, or having a wine night with his girlfriend.

Favorite Tech Memory: Creating and executing fun events and programming for Alpha Phi Alpha, NROTC, and the GT Student Ambassadors. You can’t beat fun and impactful times with lifelong friends!
$altText Hannah (Hatchell) Liu, MS BI 17

Hannah (Hatchell) Liu, MS BI 17

Senior Manager, Data Analysis | Natera

Hannah (Hatchell) Liu is a graduate of Georgia Tech’s master’s program in Bioinformatics and has an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from Pomona College. She began her career in molecular diagnostics at the genetic testing company Invitae as a clinical informatics scientist and subsequently a people leader in the Dry Lab Operations group. Her time at Invitae cultivated her passion for supporting the accessibility and affordability of genetic information for everyone to improve health outcomes. She is excited to continue working toward this mission as she starts a new role in Natera’s Data Science group as a senior manager.

Favorite Tech Memory: The relieved and accomplished feeling after I gave my master’s capstone presentation to Professor Soojin Yi and her lab.
$altText Kristyn Long, BA 12

Kristyn Long, BA 12

Executive Counsel | Office of Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp

Kristyn (Atkinson) Long currently serves as executive counsel in the office of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. She previously served as chief operating officer, deputy chief operating officer, and deputy executive counsel. Prior to joining the governor’s staff in February 2020, she worked in private practice, focusing on civil litigation, probate litigation, and estate planning. Long holds a bachelor’s in Business Administration from Georgia Tech and a law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. She and her husband reside in Ball Ground, Georgia.

Favorite Tech Memory: Run for the Roses on Bid Day.
$altText Ariel Marshall, PhD Chem 14

Ariel Marshall, PhD Chem 14

Chief of Staff, Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation | U.S. Department of Energy

Ariel Marshall is the chief of staff to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Under Secretary for Science and Innovation. Before assuming this role, Marshall served as the legislative director for Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. During Marshall’s nearly nine-year tenure on Capitol Hill, she helped to advance several impactful government policies and led efforts to secure historic investments in energy, water, and broadband infrastructure as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Central Arkansas and a doctorate degree in Chemistry from Georgia Tech.

Favorite Tech Memory: I will always treasure the time I spent working with Professor Joseph Perry and the friends I made while at Tech.
$altText G. Spencer Mickum, MS NRE 13, PhD NRE 15

G. Spencer Mickum, MS NRE 13, PhD NRE 15

Principal Scientist | STERIS AST

Spencer Mickum, a nuclear and radiological engineer at STERIS AST, performs research that integrates computational radiation transport with radiation measurements. He received his doctorate in Nuclear Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2015 and is now an experienced principal scientist with a demonstrated history of over 10 years working with radiation simulation. He is skilled in Monte Carlo radiation simulation, AutoCAD Inventor, Python (programming language), ANSYS, and radiation detection. He has worked on the ASTM International E61 committee on radiation processing since 2016 and has taken on leadership roles in various other professional organizations and standards committees.

Favorite Tech Memory: Exploring the historical Neely Nuclear Research Center in person before the building was demolished and returned to green fields.
$altText David Montes de Oca Zapiain, ME 14, MS ME 15, PhD ME 19

David Montes de Oca Zapiain, ME 14, MS ME 15, PhD ME 19

Senior Member of Technical Staff | Sandia National Laboratories

David Montes de Oca Zapiain is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. He obtained his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees from the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech. He is currently a senior member of Technical Staff in the Department of Material and Data Science at Sandia National Laboratories, where he focuses on researching novel approaches to integrate machine learning and artificial intelligence into the manufacturing and development of materials.

Favorite Tech Memory: Being in the stadium when the Georgia Tech Football team defeated the Florida State University team in 2015.
$altText Neha Narkhede, MS CS 07

Neha Narkhede, MS CS 07

Founder & CEO | Oscilar
Co-founder & Board Member | Confluent

Neha Narkhede is an Indian American technology entrepreneur, investor, and founder and CEO of Oscilar, a no-code, AI-powered, risk-decisioning platform that helps financial technology professionals manage fraud, credit, and compliance risks. In 2014, Narkhede co-founded Confluent, which helps organizations process large amounts of data to create transformative real-time products. Previously, she served as the company’s co-founder and chief technology officer, and she currently serves on Confluent’s board. As a software engineer at LinkedIn, she helped develop the open-source messaging system Apache Kafka that is now used by more than 80% of the Fortune 500 companies.

Favorite Tech Memory: Cheering on the Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium, feeling the electric energy of Georgia Tech pride and community.
$altText Daniel Natic, MS CS 23

Daniel Natic, MS CS 23

VP of Engineering | FinQuery

Daniel Natic describes himself first and foremost as a husband to his better half and father to three of the most special and talented children. Natic strives for and thrives on complex and technical problems in the software industry. When he is not grinding through code, logs, and meetings, he prefers spending his time traveling with his family to exciting and remote destinations. He’s a foodie and enjoys training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with his son, exercising, and attending his children’s extracurricular activities.

Favorite Tech Memory: Establishing lasting friendships and a community with fellow students during those late-night study sessions.
$altText Kalina Paunovska, PhD BME 20

Kalina Paunovska, PhD BME 20

Director, Co-founder | Nava Therapeutics

Kalina Paunovska is the co-founder of Nava Therapeutics, an innovative early-stage biotech startup located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Nava Therapeutics specializes in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery and gene therapy. The company was founded on the pioneering postdoctoral research that Paunovska conducted in collaboration with Curtis Dobrowolski and James Dahlman, which integrated high-throughput LNP screening with single-cell RNA sequencing. Paunovska earned her doctorate degree in Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech in the spring of 2020, under the mentorship of James Dahlman. Her doctoral research centered on the discovery of LNPs and the development of high-throughput, barcoding-based LNP screening techniques in vivo.

Favorite Tech Memory: My PhD defense in May 2020. Despite the defense and celebrations being remote, my friends and family made it special.
$altText Korin Reid, PhD ChE 15

Korin Reid, PhD ChE 15

CEO | Ellison Laboratories

Korin Reid serves as CEO of Ellison Laboratories and has more than a decade of experience building AI and advanced analytics solutions in the healthcare space, as well as leading global innovation, data science, data engineering, and software development teams. Her work has led to solutions that have scaled to billions of healthcare records and impacted one-third of U.S. hospitals and more than 160 million patients. Reid earned her doctorate degree in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech. For her contribution to AI in the healthcare space, she was named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list in 2017 and was also named a McKesson Distinguished Technologist. Additionally, Reid teaches in the master’s in Data Science program at the University of California, Berkeley.

Favorite Tech Memory: Probably the time I found a way to attach a rubber sole to my heels to get into the career fair since heels were strictly banned, despite no prior announcement.
$altText Malik Russell, CmpE 17

Malik Russell, CmpE 17

Extravehicular Activity Flight Controller | NASA

Malik Russell has spent over 10 years at NASA pushing space exploration, a passion ignited in his youth. As a certified extravehicular activity (EVA) systems flight controller, he leads spacewalks, ensuring astronaut safety, including critical emergency response. Beyond operations, Russell designs future spacesuits and lunar rovers on the Exploration Insight team. He also mentors future generations, training new NASA flight controllers and judging junior and high school science fairs. He embodies Georgia Tech’s spirit, innovating and paving the way for humanity’s next giant leap in space.

Favorite Tech Memory: Rushing the football field after dethroning Fisher’s Florida State Seminoles with a blocked field goal return.
$altText Emily Schickner, M Arch 13

Emily Schickner, M Arch 13

Principal & Partner | Harrison Design

Emily Schickner joined Harrison Design in 2017, and in 2021, was promoted as the firm’s first female principal architect. She has led over 2 million square feet of design and construction, achieving national award-winning recognition. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Miami University of Ohio, and a Master of Architecture from Georgia Tech. She serves on the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Atlanta’s board as the 2023 president. From 2020 to 2021, she served as the AIA South Atlantic young architect regional director, and in 2022, received the Emerging Professional Award for AIA Georgia. Schickner serves on Georgia Tech’s College of Design Advisory Board as chair of the Student Recruitment Task Force. She is known for her expertise in the fields of mental health and architecture.

Favorite Tech Memory: Living at the Hinman Research Building, making lifelong friends and mentors, learning everything amazing about architecture.
$altText Joshua Silver, CS 09

Joshua Silver, CS 09

Founder and CEO | Rainforest

Joshua Silver is a nationally recognized expert and serial entrepreneur in the payments processing industry. Currently, Silver is the founder and CEO of Rainforest, a payments-as-service company that helps software platforms monetize payments and create robust financial experiences without needing to take on the burden of risk and compliance. Previously, he co-founded Patientco, a venture-backed healthcare payments startup, which provides a comprehensive patient payments platform to health systems. For more than a decade, he was instrumental in scaling the company from idea stage to maturity. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, Aurora, and their two young children.

Favorite Tech Memory: During my first semester, I volunteered to help displaced Hurricane Katrina victims, who were temporarily staying on Georgia Tech’s campus.
$altText Arlyne Simon, ChBE 08

Arlyne Simon, ChBE 08

AI Systems Architect | Intel Corporation

Arlyne Simon is a patented inventor, biomedical engineer, and author of the STEM children’s book series Abby Invents. She works as an AI systems architect at Intel Health and Life Sciences. She has been honored as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) IF/THEN Ambassador, and her life-size statue has been displayed at the Smithsonian and MIT Museum. Simon’s healthcare innovations include a blood test, syringe designs, and ultrasound imaging advancements. To inspire young inventors, she founded SeeSoar Kids. She holds a doctorate degree in Macromolecular Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Favorite Tech Memory: Prof. Mark Prausnitz’s course! He inspired my biomedical engineering career with his exciting biomimicry invention—transdermal drug delivery patches.
$altText Apoorv Sinha, ChBE 10

Apoorv Sinha, ChBE 10

Co-founder & CEO | Carbon Upcycling Technologies

Apoorv Sinha is the co-founder and CEO of Carbon Upcycling, a leading decarbonization and carbon capture and utilization company. Carbon Upcycling’s technology drives resilience and circularity in supply chains by converting CO2 emissions and industrial wastes into sustainable alternatives to conventional cement blends. Under his tenure, Carbon Upcycling has partnered with four of the 10 largest cement producers globally and expanded its carbon capture and utilization technology across North America and Europe. The company is a Carbon XPRIZE X-Factor award winner, a recognized Global Cleantech 100, and was listed among Reuters’ top “100 Innovators Leading the Global Energy Transition.” Sinha is a Forbes’ “30 Under 30” awardee in the energy category and a Maclean’s 100 Most Influential Canadians honoree.

Favorite Tech Memory: Building my first prototype for my first startup (TOHL) with co-founder Ben Cohen, CE 11, and testing it in the basement of the ChBE building back in summer of 2010.
$altText Briana C. (Sell) Stenard, PhD Mgt 15

Briana C. (Sell) Stenard, PhD Mgt 15

Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship | Mercer University

Briana Stenard is an associate professor of management and entrepreneurship at Mercer University and the incoming MBA director for the Stetson-Hatcher School of Business. She teaches strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Her research focuses on the impacts of strategic human capital on the entrepreneurial careers, for which she won a Kauffman Foundation dissertation fellowship. Stenard’s research has been published in top scholarly journals and was featured in the Harvard Business Review and the London School of Economics Business Review. She is passionate about improving entrepreneurship education and has won multiple USASBE awards for original experiential exercises created for her courses and company she co-founded, Innovation Exercises.

Favorite Tech Memory: I met my husband, John Stenard, at a Scheller graduate student event, and we were married the week after my dissertation defense.
$altText Osahon Tongo, Mgt 10

Osahon Tongo, Mgt 10

Producer/Director | NFL

Osahon Tongo is an Emmy-winning filmmaker from Naperville, Illinois, known for his roles as a writer, director, and producer. He has earned acclaim for his work on NFL360 and Netflix’s They Cloned Tyrone. Tongo also produced the VR series Greenwood Avenue VR, exploring the history of Black Wall Street, and his Question Bridge installation debuted in the Smithsonian Museum. His dedication to storytelling is highlighted by prestigious fellowships, including the Ryan Murphy Directing Fellowship, the Annenberg Fellowship, and the NFL Films Fellowship. These honors underscore his commitment to innovative and impactful filmmaking. Tongo holds an MFA from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts and a bachelor’s degree in Management from Georgia Tech, where he was a defensive end on the 2009 ACC Champion football team. Driven by a passion for diverse narratives, Tongo continues to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling, inspiring audiences and fellow filmmakers alike.

Favorite Tech Memory: Beating Clemson on Thursday night and seeing all the students tear the goal posts down.
$altText Emily Weigel, Bio 10

Emily Weigel, Bio 10

Senior Academic Professional | Georgia Institute of Technology

Emily Weigel is a nationally recognized educator and senior academic professional (teaching and advising faculty) in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech. She holds a bachelor’s in Biology from Georgia Tech and obtained dual doctorates in Zoology and in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior from Michigan State University. Dr. Weigel’s research revolves around what wild animals do around Atlanta and the world, and in understanding how student backgrounds, values, and responses to teaching methods impact their academic performance. Outside of Tech, she enjoys playing soccer, watching Netflix, and promoting STEM in the community.

Favorite Tech Memory: Convincing 10 other I-House residents to jam with me for an extra-credit cover of Wonderwall dedicated to biologist Barbara McClintock.