Herpich’s research focuses on steel-timber hybrid structures. His work focuses on framed buildings with wood-floor systems, researching the design considerations for this new innovative system within the structural engineering field and how it compares to more traditional structural systems. Herpich is from Manhattan, Kansas, and his hobbies include golf, K-State sports and pickleball. His favorite food is Thai food, and his top bucket list item is to attend the Masters golf tournament.

Asuncion’s research focuses on computational fluid dynamics, specifically, developing models with the main objective to improve spray application techniques for controlling stored product insects. The CFD models simulate air flow, track the motion of individual aerosol insecticide particles, and estimate the efficiency of the spray application through the deposition of the particles. Asuncion is from the Philippines, and her hobbies include watching true crime documentaries, traveling and taking photos. Her favorite food is spaghetti, and her top bucket list item is to do a cartwheel under the dancing aurora borealis.

Yenne’s research focuses on the use of particle imaging velocimetry to develop in-depth understanding of the underlying mechanism of movement of soil behind integral bridge abutments due to thermal expansion and contraction. Yenne is from Littleton, Colorado, and his hobbies include golfing, playing basketball and watching K-State sports. His favorite food is pepperoni pizza, and his top bucket list item is to visit Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Choton’s research focuses on agricultural automation, coverage path planning, dynamics of mobile robots, verification of Robot Operating System (ROS 2), anytime perception and control of closed-loop robotic systems. Choton is from Bangladesh, and his hobbies include video games, traveling and playing badminton. His favorite foods are Hilsa fish, alu vorta and masoor daal, and his top bucket list items are to visit the pyramids and the Amazon rainforest.

Yi’s research focuses on modeling and predicting the spread of infectious diseases across large populations. He has been involved in projects aimed at forecasting cases of ongoing COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, as well as dengue fever in Cambodia and West Nile disease in Colorado. Yi is from China, and his hobbies include reading, snowboarding and traveling. His favorite food is durian mille crepe cake, and his top bucket list items is to see the Grand Canyon and walk the Skywalk.

Farooq’s research focuses on coordination in public health disaster preparedness and response, specifically, integrating cooperative game theory and optimization to identify ways to facilitate coordination in multi-objective, multi-stakeholder settings. Farooq is from Pakistan, and her hobbies include baking and traveling. Her favorite food is chocolate cake, and Her top bucket list item is to see the northern lights.

Modi’s research focuses on developing and testing a method for determining the state of stress in rail, through the use of noncontact strain measurement techniques. Contraction and expansion during extreme temperature conditions lead to high levels of stresses in rails that can lead to serious rail deformation, which could result in train derailment that creates potential human life risk. Modi is from India, but has lived and worked in Canada, and his hobbies include movies and traveling. His favorite food is Indian cuisine, and his top bucket list item is to travel in Europe.