Meet the Brilliant Minds Behind DMD-Lab’s Success
Welcome to the Team page of the Digital Manufacturing and Distribution Lab (DMD-Lab). Here, we take pride in introducing the exceptional individuals who form the backbone of our innovative research endeavors. Our team comprises diverse talents, ranging from seasoned researchers to passionate students, all dedicated to pushing the boundaries of digital manufacturing.
Each team member brings a unique perspective and skill set, contributing to the synergy that defines DMD-Lab’s success. From pioneering faculty to inquisitive undergraduates, our collaborative spirit fosters an environment where ideas flourish, and breakthroughs happen.
Get to know the faces behind the research, explore individual profiles, and discover the wealth of expertise that propels DMD-Lab to the forefront of digital manufacturing research. Our team is not just a collection of individuals; it’s a community of visionaries shaping the future of manufacturing.
Join us in celebrating the brilliance, dedication, and passion that make DMD-Lab’s team a driving force in the world of digital manufacturing.
Dr. Chukwuzubelu Ufodike
Director, Digital Manufacturing and Distribution Lab (DMD-Lab)
Dr. Chukwuzubelu Ufodike is at the helm of the Digital Manufacturing and Distribution Lab (DMD-Lab), leading the way in pioneering research and innovation. As the director, Dr. Ufodike brings a wealth of experience and a passion for pushing the boundaries of advanced manufacturing.
About Dr. Ufodike: Dr. Ufodike is an Assistant Professor and the Charlotte and Walter Buchanan Faculty Fellow in the Department of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University. His multidisciplinary background includes a Ph.D. in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, a Master’s in Process Engineering, a Bachelor’s in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, and an MBA.
Research Leadership: As the founder of the Professor Ufodike Research Group (PURG), Dr. Ufodike has spearheaded research in theoretical and computational materials science and advanced manufacturing. His work is at the forefront of computational modeling for additive manufacturing, focusing on AI-Enhanced Adaptive Additive Manufacturing for Precision Engineering.
Educational Vision: Dr. Ufodike is not just a researcher; he is a visionary educator. His mission is to integrate future manufacturing research into education, preparing a diverse and globally competitive STEM workforce. As a faculty advisor to student organizations and founder of initiatives like PrintLearn, he actively contributes to fostering innovation through diverse perspectives.
Professional Engagement: Dr. Ufodike is not confined to the lab; his influence extends to professional service and engagement. He is an active member of various engineering societies, contributing to standards committees, participating in review panels for organizations like the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, and organizing symposiums for prestigious conferences.
Innovation Beyond Boundaries: Beyond academia, Dr. Ufodike is a trailblazer in promoting diversity and inclusion within the computation, engineering, and additive manufacturing community. As the founder of “Blacks in Additive Manufacturing (BiAM)” and PrintLearn, his dedication to fostering innovation through diverse perspectives is evident.
Explore the transformative journey led by Dr. Ufodike at the DMD-Lab. His commitment to reshaping the future of manufacturing through research, education, and collaboration defines the ethos of our lab. Join us as we push the frontiers of what’s possible in the digital manufacturing landscape.
POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS ADVISED
Dr. Gaius Nzebuka
Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution. Jan 2022 – April 2023
Projects related to developing process dynamics understanding, and mesostructure formation in material extrusion additive manufacturing – specifically, advancing the understanding of the 3D heat transfer, fluid flow mechanism, and melting model in the hot-end of fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers. Consequently, improving the flow rate and printing speed problems in the FFF additive manufacturing technique.
DOCTORAL STUDENTS ADVISED
Al Mazedur Rahman
Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Additive manufacturing using agriculturally derived biowastes.
(Preliminary exam completed in Spring 2023). Co-Advised with Dr. ZJ Pei (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering)
MASTER’S STUDENTS ADVISED (COMMITTEE CHAIR)
Chavous Gwynn
MS. (Master of Science, Engineering Technology), Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution.
Thesis Title: Effect of a High-Flow Nozzle Design on the Printability of Polymer Feedstock in Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing,
(Graduated in Fall 2022)
Chukwubuikem Ewelike
MS. (Master of Science, Engineering Technology), Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution.
Thesis Title: Neural Network Algorithm for Complete Coverage Path Planning in Industrial Robotic Platforms: A Simulation-Based Study,
(Graduated in Summer 2023)
Steven Logan
MS. (Master of Science, Engineering Technology), Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution.
Thesis Title: Flip Task Allocation for Robot Path Coverage,
(Graduated in Summer 2023).
Shruthin Chirayath
MS. (Master of Science, Engineering Technology), Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution.
Tentative Thesis Title: Adaptive Robot Systems for Fused Filament Fabrication Additive Manufacturing,
(Expected graduation in Spring 2024)
Tristan Massa
MS. (Master of Science, Engineering Technology), Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution.
Project Title: Manufacturing of Electric Vehicle with 3D Printed Airless Tires.
(Graduated in Fall 2023)
Graduate Student Mentored
Rishitha Nimma
MS Student – Management Information Systems, Project on Digital Distribution (Fall 2023-2025)
GRADUATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
- Connor Ust – MS. (Master of Science, Engineering Technology). Committee Member – Graduated Spring 2022
- James J. Jaraczewski – MS. (Master of Science, Engineering Technology). Committee Member – Ongoing
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ADVISED
Through Capstone Projects
- Served as technical faculty advisor and faculty liaison for “Environmental Impact in Industrial Distribution”. IDIS 464/444, Spring 2022 – Fall 2022. The students included in this project are: Camp Garrett, Lane Kimberling, David Madrid, Seth Rowland, and Gabe Sanchez – 5 students total
- Served as technical faculty advisor and faculty liaison for “PDR: Intelligent Sweeping Robot”. ESET 419/420, Spring 2022 – Fall 2022. The students included in this project are: Eric Lerma, Aaron Bell, Marcelo Quintanilla, Ruby Melendez Camacho – 4 students total
- Served as technical faculty advisor and faculty liaison for “Lean Practices in Retail Distribution”. IDIS 464/444, Fall 2021 – Spring 2022. The students included in this project are: Asad Abbas, Garren Crow, Michael Kilpatrick, William Kubaney, and Michael Marquis – 5 students total
- Served as technical faculty advisor and faculty liaison for “Green Distribution: Investigating opportunities and conducting a feasibility study on sustainable distribution”. IDIS 464/444, Fall 2021 – Spring 2022. The students included in this project are: Jacob Dominguez, Trevor Moore, Jack Lockhart, Brian Evans, and James Doss – 5 students total
- Served as technical faculty advisor and faculty liaison for “Implementing crowdsource initiatives into last-mile logistics with environmental consideration”. IDIS 464/444, Fall 2021 – Spring 2022. The students included in this project are: Emmanuel Garcia, Kyle Kowis, Elliot Mayer, Carson Merket, and Felipe Ordonez – 5 students total
- Served as technical faculty advisor and faculty liaison for “Modeling and Analysis of Risks in Formation of Strategic Supply Base: A Distributor’s Perspective”. IDIS 464/444, Fall 2020 – Spring 2021. The students included in this project are: Braeden Reichmanis, Caleb Snyder, William Soward, Caitlyn Yeung, Christopher Ta, and Hunter Bureau – 6 students total
- Served as technical faculty advisor and faculty liaison for “How to Help Food Banks be More Prepared for Emergencies”. IDIS 464/444, Fall 2020 – Spring 2021. The students included in this project are: Alex Herman, Levi Tally, Jerald Barbe, Nico Monroig, Zehra Javed, and Sierra Travis – 6 students total
- Served as technical faculty advisor and faculty liaison for “Manufacturing an AI LiDAR Positional Tracking Module”. MMET 429/422, Spring 2021 – Fall 2021. The students included in this project are: Stas Nantze, Zach Stroder, Zach Neal, and Hunter Blankenship – 4 students total
The total number of undergraduate students advised through capstone projects is 40 undergraduate students.
DIGITAL MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION LAB (DMD-LAB) RESEARCH STUDENTS MENTORED
- Dixeet Gaurang Purohit, MS Student – Industrial and Systems Engineering, research on the Development of an Adaptive Groundwater Management System (AGMS) using Water Computing
- Yifan Wu, PhD Student – Industrial and Systems Engineering, research on the Development of an Adaptive Groundwater Management System (AGMS) using Water Computing
- Oyindamola Aje, Undergraduate student – Chemical Engineering, research on Computational Design for Advanced Manufacturing
- Ebube Ezennaya, Undergraduate student – Industrial and Systems Engineering, research on Smart Digital Technology and Manufacturing
- Bomi Adeleke, Undergraduate student – Freshman – research on Smart Digital Technology and Manufacturing
- Thomas (Trey) Mann, Undergraduate student – Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution – research on Digital Distribution Technology
- Adrian Kmiotek, Undergraduate student – Freshman – research on Smart Digital Technology and Manufacturing
INSTRUCTION SUPPORT STAFF & STUDENTS MENTORED
- Al Mazedur Rahman, PhD. ISEN. Graduate Teaching Assistant, Fall 2021 to Present, Analytics for Distribution Operations
- Dixeet Gaurang Purohit, MS. ISEN. Graduate Teaching Assistant, Spring 2021 through Summer 2021, Analytics for Distribution Operations
- Naveen Veluchamy, MS. ISEN. Graduate Teaching Assistant, Fall 2021 to Present, Analytics for Distribution Operations