Dr. Afrin Naz is an Associate Professor at the Computer Science and Information
Systems department at West Virginia Institute of Technology. She received her PhD
degree in Computer Science from the University of North Texas. She received more
than 20 grants and authored numerous conference and journal papers. Dr. Naz is
the Google Ambassador in West Virginia and arranged 5 face to face and online Computer
Science workshops for k12 teachers at West Virginia. She is the funding Director
of STEM Summer Academy of Girls in West Virginia and has also organized more than
10 workshops and camps for K-12 teachers and students. She serves as the Program
Chair Elect of the 125th ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition and serves on the
Strategic Committee of West Virginia Department of Education. She is the director
of West Virginia affiliate of NCWIT (National Center of Women and Information Technology),
an ABET IDEAL scholar and West Virginia TECH Golden Bear Scholar. Dr. Naz is also
the funding director of EMPOWERS (Establishing Mentoring Pipeline of Women through
Education and Research in STEM).
Dr. Mingyu Lu
Mingyu Lu received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Tsinghua
University, Beijing, China, in 1995 and 1997 respectively, and the Ph.D. degree
in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in
2002. From 2002 to 2005, he was a postdoctoral research associate at the Electromagnetics
Laboratory in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was an assistant
professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at
Arlington from 2005 to 2012. He joined the Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering, West Virginia University Institute of Technology in 2012 and he is
currently an associate professor. His research interest includes wireless power
transmission, radar systems, microwave remote sensing, antenna design, and computational
electromagnetics. He was the recipient of the first prize award in the student
paper competition of the IEEE International Antennas and Propagation Symposium,
Boston, MA in 2001. He served as the chair of Antennas and Propagation Society
of IEEE Fort Worth Chapter from 2006 to 2011. He is currently serving as the treasurer
of IEEE West Virginia Section.
Current Students
Ana Alonso Olea
Ana Alonso Olea is a Senior from
Spain who is studying Mechanical Engineering at West Virginia University
Institute of Technology. She is the President of the WVU Tech SAE Aero Club,
and a member of the WVU Tech Volleyball Team. Ana is also the Vice President of
the Tau Beta Pi Honor Society and a part of the Pi Tau Sigma Chapter. She is
currently working as a mentor to High School Students and researching different
techniques to engage girls towards STEM fields careers. When she graduates, she
plans to pursue her dream and find a job in the Aerodynamics field.
Brenden Blake
My name is Brenden Blake. I am a CS student at WVU Tech. I don't have a
concrete dream of where I want to work, but I do hope that, wherever I
end up, I will be working to make the world a better place. This could
be as simple as making someone's life easier with an app, or something
on a much larger scale.
Caitlyn Taylor
Caitlyn
Taylor is from Oak Hill, Wv and graduated from Fayetteville High School in
2019. She is currently a sophomore at studying Computer Science and History at
West Virginia University Institution of Technology. Once she obtains her degree,
she plans on pursuing her dream to work in Cyber Security with the Department
of Defense.
Cami Robinson
Cami
Robinson graduated from Liberty High School in 2017. I am currently a junior at
WVU Tech with the major Information Systems and I plan on becoming an IT
professional for the FBI agency in Charleston WV.
Chris Grassi
I
am Chris Grassi and graduated from Hampshire High School in 2019. I am a
sophomore studying computer science and mathematics at WVU Tech and I'm
also captain of the Super Smash Bros Ultimate esports team. Once I
graduate, I want to either further my education or pursue a career in
modeling and simulation.
Elizabeth Lowe
Elizabeth
Lowe is from Fayetteville, WV and graduated from Oak Hill High School in 2020.
She is a freshman at West Virginia University Institute of Technology and is
studying Information Systems. This past summer she was an intern for the First2
Network at the WVU Tech site conducting research on pulsar data and
cyclostationary plots. After obtaining her undergraduate at WVU Tech, she plans
to pursue a Master’s in Management Information System.
Hayley Gill
Hayley
Gill is currently a junior who previously majored in Nursing and transitioned
to Information Systems. I graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 2017 in
Beckley, WV. In the future, I plan to venture out of state and pursue a career
in the tech industry. I love learning about other cultures, and I enjoy
watching anime.
Isabel Barrio
My name is Isabel Barrio and I am from Madrid,
Spain. I am a mathematics major with minors in computer science and economics
at WVU Tech. I am also a member of WVU Tech’s Women’s Basketball team. I have
been working on middle school after-school programs in West Virginia since
2018, and I have been the leader for multiple NCWIT AspireIT programs. I am
currently a senior, and in the future, I plan on furthering my education by
pursuing graduate studies in mathematics.
Jalen Wayt
Jalen
Wayt is from Ravenswood, WV and graduated from Ravenswood High School with
honors in 2018. He is currently a junior studying Computer Science. He is an
active member in Christian Student Union where he serves as President and also
resides on the WVU Tech Rocket League Esports team. Once he obtains his degree,
he plans on pursuing his dream of becoming a software engineer.
John Bill
John Bill is from Glenville, West Virginia. He graduated in 2019 from
Gilmer County High School and is currently a sophomore in Information
Systems and Computer Science at West Virginia University Institute
of Technology. He is a member of both the League of Legends and Super
Smash Bros. Ultimate Esports teams. When he graduates he wants to either
further pursue his education and study abroad or work with artificial
intelligence in the cyber security field.
John Clay
John Clay
is from Alderson WV and received his GED in 2018. He is currently a junior
studying computer science at West Virginia University Institute of Technology.
After graduating, John plans to pursue a career in cyber security with the US
government.
John Morgan
John
Morgan is from Ronceverte, WV and graduated from Greenbrier East High School in
May of 2018. He is currently a junior studying Computer Science at West
Virginia University Institute of Technology. Once he obtains his degree, he
plans on pursuing a career in software development.
Mathew Gilley
Matthew Gilley is a Junior Computer Science student. He is originally
from West Virginia, however he grew up in the Atlanta area graduating
from North Cobb High School in 2002. Matthew spent 15.5 years Active
Duty Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) and is currently on
sabbatical until June 2022 when he will return to the Army as a CW3. His
last 9 years in the Army he served as a advisor and project manager.
With primary focus on formal education and development: training and
oversight of instructors, maintaining and updating existing curriculum,
and building new curriculum and education programs from the ground up.
Ryan Boccabello
Ryan Boccabello graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 2019.
She is a sophomore studying computer engineering at WVU Tech. Once she
obtains her degree she plans on becoming a hardware engineer. Currently,
she is training to help inspire k-12 grade
girls to consider STEM fields as their careers.
Shanettine
My name is Shanettine. I am a sophomore majoring in psychology. I am from
Gary, Indiana and I graduated from Morton High School. I enjoy shopping, playing
basketball, reading and coding.
Steven Smith
Steven Smith
is from South Portland ME. He is currently a senior studying computer science
at West Virginia University Institute of Technology. He also runs on the cross
country and track team at WVU Tech. After graduation, Steven plans
on pursuing his MS in computer science as well as continuing his athletics
career after graduating in May 2021.
Tommi Kenneda
Tommi Kenneda is from Oceana WV and
graduated Westside High School in 2018. She is currently a junior
studying computer science at West Virginia University Institute of
Technology and is also a part of the Rocket League Esports team. Once she obtains her degree, she plan on pursuing my dream of working with
bio-prosthetics and exoskeletons.
Tyler Kibler
Tyler Kibler is a sophomore studying
computer science at West Virginia University Institute of Technology. He
graduated from Washington Highschool in Charles Town, WV in 2019. He is
currently the secretary for the campus chapter of the Association for Computing
Machinery (ACM), as well as a part of the Rainbow 6: Siege Esports team. After
graduating he intends to pursue a career in software development.
Former Students
Cody Zackoski
Cody is currently a senior at West Virginia University Institute of Technology
studying Computer Science and Information Systems. In the past, he has assisted
with research on implementing low-cost high-performance computing (HPC) clusters.
In addition to that research, he has developed curricula for courses designed to
train WV public school teachers in project-based learning (PBL) as well as courses
designed to equip WV public school teachers to teach computer science electives
in their classrooms. In addition to developing curricula for these courses, he
recorded numerous videos, assisted with online delivery, and provided continuing
in-school support for the teachers involved. Upon graduation, he plans to enter
the workforce and pursue a career in software development or IT administration.
Mildra Beyene
My name is Mildra Beyene and I’m from Ethiopia. I am currently a senior
studying Civil Engineering at WVU Tech. I am also a Resident Assistant
at Tech. I like playing different kinds of sports and I enjoy outdoor
activities.