The School of Engineering Welcomes Our New Faculty for 2024
This year, the School of Engineering is thrilled to introduce twelve new faculty members and proud to announce the promotion of six lecturers. Each brings extensive knowledge and enthusiasm to their fields, enriching our programs and engaging our students.
Applied Mathematics
Doctor of Philosophy
University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Dr. Villarroya Alvarez, with a Ph.D. in Mathematics, has held positions at UCLA, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Lund, De Anza, Georgia, Temple, and Cal Poly. He has taught at Santa Clara University since 2022. He specializes in harmonic analysis and partial differential equations, has 17 journal publications, and recently won the School of Engineering’s Gerald E. Markle Award for Teaching Excellence in Applied Mathematics and Engineering. Congratulations, Francisco, in your new role!
Aaron Melman – Associate Professor with tenure
Doctor of Philosophy
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
Dr. Melman, with a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, has over 30 years of academic experience. He has taught at Santa Clara University since 2005, focusing on applied mathematics. His research includes linear algebra and numerical analysis and has published 74 journal papers. He has received multiple awards, including the Oded Levin Prize, and both the School of Engineering’s Gerald E. Markle Award for Teaching Excellence in Applied Mathematics and Engineering and Researcher of the Year. Congratulations, Aaron, in your new role!
Bioengineering
Murat Baday – Lecturer
Doctor of Philosophy
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Dr. Baday is a distinguished data scientist with a Ph.D. in Biophysics and Computational Biology. He has extensive experience in bioengineering, AI, and healthcare technology, having worked at Stanford University in bioengineering, radiology, and neurology. As the co-founder of startups like Smartlens and Nanoeye, he has developed innovative diagnostic tools. His research includes DNA mapping, machine learning in medical imaging, and remote monitoring. Congratulations on your new role, Murat!
Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering
Vito Francioso – Assistant Professor
Doctor of Philosophy, 2022
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Dr. Francioso, with a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, focuses on concrete, waste management, and material durability, with 15 journal publications and two U.S. Provisional Patents. He mentors minority scholars and has received multiple awards for his dissertation and research. He also served as a lead teaching assistant and mentored students. Welcome to Santa Clara, Vito!
Computer Science and Engineering
Xiao Li – Assistant Professor
Doctor of Philosophy, 2024
University of Texas, Dallas, Texas
Dr. Li, with a Ph.D. in Computer Science, research spans blockchain for security, distributed machine learning, and data science applications, resulting in nine publications. He has taught various computer science courses and values inclusive, critical-thinking-driven education. At Santa Clara University, he focuses on blockchain for DML security and health information. Welcome to Santa Clara, Xiao!
Oana Ignat – Assistant Professor
Doctor of Philosophy, 2022
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Dr. Ignat, with a Ph.D. in Computer Science, focuses on multimodal AI research for inclusive, responsible systems. She aims to advance human action understanding, inclusive AI models, and AI for social impact at Santa Clara University. With 12 publications and a global health equity grant, she emphasizes hands-on learning and fostering a growth mindset in students. Welcome to Santa Clara, Oana!
Krishna Ramamoorthy – Assistant Professor
Doctor of Philosophy, 2023
University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA
Dr. Ramamoorthy, with a Ph.D. in Computational Science, was a lecturer at San Diego State University. His research applies economic principles to NOMA-enabled wireless networks and explores multiple access protocols, blockchain, and wireless infrastructure economics. He has 17 publications and teaches courses in operating systems and programming, emphasizing engagement and inclusive learning. Welcome to Santa Clara, Krishna!
Yidi Wang – Assistant Professor
Doctor of Philosophy, 2023
University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA
Dr. Wang, with a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, focuses on energy-efficient, preemptive, and responsive computing systems in real-time embedded and cyber-physical systems. She has published seven articles and taught Sensing and Actuation for Embedded Systems. Dr. Wang emphasizes dynamic, inclusive learning, linking theory to real-world applications through experiential activities and collaborative problem-solving. Welcome to Santa Clara, Yidi!
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Andy Wolfe – Associate Professor with tenure
Doctor of Philosophy, 1992
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Dr. Wolf is an IEEE Fellow and an IEEE Computer Society Distinguished Contributor. His expertise is in Computer Architecture, Embedded Systems, and Consumer Electronics. He previously served on the faculty at Princeton University and taught classes at Stanford. In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Wolfe served as Senior VP and CTO at S3/SonicBlue where he led several chip design teams and helped launch more than 30 digital audio and video products. Dr. Wolfe has more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and is the named inventor of over 50 U.S. patents. Congratulations, Andy, in your new role!
Burak Kurkcu – Assistant Professor
Doctor of Philosophy, 2019
TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Ankara, Turkey
Dr. Kurkcu, a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, worked at ASELSAN Inc. and was recently an assistant professor at Hacettepe University and a visiting professor at UC Berkeley. His research spans robust control, robotics, and autonomous systems. He has published seven journal articles, eleven conference papers, and holds one patent. Welcome to Santa Clara, Burak!
Stephen Bass – Lecturer
Doctor of Philosophy, 2022
University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Dr. Bass is a Lecturer in Electrical Engineering with expertise in electromagnetics. He spent a couple of years as an Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Scholar at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and then continued to teach at UIUC as an Adjunct Professor. His research focuses on electromagnetic theory and antenna design. Welcome to Santa Clara, Stephen!
Adham Naji – Assistant Professor
Doctor of Philosophy, 2010
University of Bristol, Bristol, England
Dr. Naji, with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, was recently a staff scientist at SLAC, Stanford University. His research spans electromagnetic theory, RF/THz systems, and accelerator physics, resulting in 19 publications and two patents. He has taught various engineering and physics courses and aims to inspire learning. Welcome to SCU, Adham!
Radhika Grover – Lecturer
Doctor of Philosophy, 2003
Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Dr. Grover has been teaching hardware and software courses at Santa Clara University since 2004, covering topics like machine learning, computer architecture, and secure coding. She is passionate about accessible design and human-computer interaction, leading the development of a Python programming book for students with visual impairments. She has also taught at UC Santa Cruz, authored a Java programming book, and holds a patent. Congratulations on your new role, Radhika!
General Engineering
Katia Moles – Assistant Teaching Professor
Doctor of Philosophy, 2016
Graduate Theological Union and UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Dr. Moles, with a Ph.D. in Ethics and Social Theory, focuses on tech ethics and inclusive pedagogies. She began teaching for the College of Arts and Sciences at Santa Clara University in 2017 and moved to the School of Engineering in 2022. She developed courses on ethics in technology and aims to foster critical thinking, active learning, and inclusivity in her students. Congratulations on your new role, Katia!
Melissa Cefkin – Lecturer
Doctor of Philosophy
Rice University, Houston, TX
Dr. Cefkin is a lecturer and anthropologist specializing in the intersection of social research, humanity-centered design, and technology innovation, particularly AI and automation. She focuses on the social and ethical aspects of autonomous vehicle design. Dr. Cefkin has held leadership roles at Waymo, Nissan-Renault, IBM, and more, and is active in academia and professional organizations. Welcome to SCU, Melissa!
Mechanical Engineering
Michael Abbott – Assistant Professor
Doctor of Philosophy, 2024
UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Dr. Abbott, with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, focuses on developing haptic and control interfaces in wearable devices for individuals with upper-limb motor deficiencies. His research has led to eight publications. He has industry experience and has taught various engineering courses. At SCU, he aims to teach mechanical design, mechatronics, product design, and CAD courses, emphasizing active and project-based learning. Welcome to Santa Clara, Michael!
Hannah (Xiaoou) Yang - Assistant Professor
Doctor of Philosophy, 2024
University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Dr. Yang, with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, researches human-centered manufacturing design, focusing on human-AI interactions and workforce development. She has four conference proceedings, five journal articles under review, and two best poster awards. Active in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Society for Engineering Education, she co-instructs advanced manufacturing courses and promotes engaging, interest-based, learning in her teaching. Welcome to Santa Clara, Hannah!
Mahantesh Hiremath - Lecturer
Doctor of Philosophy
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Dr. Hiremath, with over 25 years of experience in space technology, specifically in design, analysis, manufacturing, integration, and testing of complex commercial communication satellites. He was elected President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 2020, the first Asian and Indian to hold this position. He has held key roles at SC Solutions, SpinLaunch, and other major companies. He served as an ASME Congressional Fellow and on their Board of Governors. Welcome to Santa Clara, Mahantesh!