Hicks’ research focuses on flexural testing of reinforced concrete beams with extruded plastic coarse aggregate replacement. Incorporating recycled plastic aggregates will aid in reducing plastic waste and help solve the need for natural aggregates. Hicks’ is from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and his hobbies include golfing, coaching CrossFit and making furniture. His favorite food is a bowl from Chipotle, and his top bucket list item is to travel Europe and see old structures.

Vail’s research focuses on application of machine vision in hay bale production, specifically, using object detection to detect failures in bales and alert the operator. Vail is from Louisiana originally, but has lived in Kansas most of his life. His hobbies include programming, wood working and camping. His favorite type of food is Cajun, and his top bucket list item is to own some land and design his own house to build on it.

Smith’s research focuses on the growth of carbon nanotubes with controllable properties and the utilization of carbon nanostructures in catalytic design with an emphasis on photocatalysis. Smith is from Holton, Kansas, and her hobbies include gardening, knitting, photography and Dungeons and Dragons. Her favorite food is apple pie, and her top bucket list item is to hike through all of the U.S. national parks.

Saleem’s research focuses on filling the research gap in the observed behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer strengthened frame members subjected to cyclic loading, specifically concerning the new technique of fiber-reinforced polymer anchorage systems. Saleem is from Iraq, and his hobbies include swimming, traveling and sketching. Her favorite foods are Mediterranean cuisine and sushi, and her top bucket list items are to travel to Iceland and Japan.

Farrukh’s research focuses on creating more human-like artificial intelligence systems by studying how valuation of future rewards affects their individual and collective learning. He is from Pakistan, and his hobbies include traveling and spending time with friends and family. His favorite food is Bryani, and his top bucket list item is to visit Mecca.

Agarwal’s research focuses on human-AI interactive decision-making, specifically, developing intelligent human-in-the-loop decision systems by integrating the computational capabilities of AI engines with human knowledge and experience. Agarwal is from India, and his favorite hobby is touring. His favorite food is pizza, and his top bucket list item is to drive across U.S. Highway 20, U.S. 6, Interstate 90, U.S. 30, U.S. 50 and the Pan-American Highway.

Jamaatisomarin’s research focuses on laser material interaction, specifically, studying ultrashort laser surface and bulk micromachining by experimental and numerical procedures. Jamaatisomarin is from Iran, and his hobbies include hiking with family and friends, going to picnics, playing soccer and spending time with his beloved wife. His favorite food is Ghormeh Sabzi, and his top bucket list item is to visit Iceland.

Ho’s research focuses on digital electro-microfluidics, or DEMF, specifically, developing the DEMF-based point-of-care diagnostic devices for disease or pathogens, such as COVID-19 and E. coli detection. Ho is from Taiwan, and his hobbies include watching movies, playing volleyball and traveling. His favorite food is pizza with lots of cheese, and his top bucket list item is to fly a plane.