The 2026 GOLD Rising Stars include:<\/p>\n
Shaylin Cetegen:<\/strong> BS, Chemical Engineering \u2013 University of Connecticut (\u201919); Ph.D. \u2013 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (\u201925). Cetegen\u2019s doctoral work established a generalized optimization-based framework for the technoeconomic assessment of liquid air energy storage systems across U.S. and European markets. She has authored eight peer-reviewed publications, received the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, and secured competitive funding through MIT.<\/p>\n David Cowles:<\/strong> BS, Chemical Engineering \u2013 University of Connecticut (\u201917). Since graduating, Cowles has worked as an engineer with MPR Associates, where he provides technical consulting in the commercial nuclear power industry. His work spans nuclear power plant modernization, hazards analyses, electrical distribution reviews, and regulatory documentation, enabling utilities to increase power output while maintaining safety.<\/p>\n Kianjai Huggan:<\/strong> BS, Computer Science and Engineering, M.Eng., \u2013 University of Connecticut (\u201920, \u201822); M.Ed, \u2013 Harvard University (\u201923). Huggan\u2019s work in embedded systems engineering includes the creation and management of microcontroller\u2011based educational products that combine circuitry, firmware, and programming to support hands\u2011on learning. In 2021, in response to inequities highlighted by the rapid shift to online learning during the COVID\u201119 pandemic, Huggan founded Webquity, a company developing digital accessibility technologies for learners with visual processing differences, including dyslexia, and other neurodivergent needs.<\/p>\n Dominic T. Kruszewski:<\/strong> BS, Civil Engineering, MS, and Ph.D., Structural Engineering \u2013 University of Connecticut (\u201914, \u201916, \u201918). After graduating from UConn, Kruszewski began his professional engineering career in the consulting sector as a bridge engineer. In addition, Kruszewski works as an adjunct professor at the New York City College of Technology, teaching several courses and serving as a Peer Led Teaching program liaison.<\/p>\n Adam Markman:<\/strong> BS Biomedical Engineering, MS, and Ph.D., Electrical Engineering \u2013 University of Connecticut (\u201911, \u201913, \u201918). After UConn, Markman worked in Boston at a contract research organization, where he led imaging analysis for preclinical studies. He is currently a Senior Scientist Manager at Procter & Gamble \u2013 Gillette in Boston, where he leads cross-functional teams applying artificial intelligence and advanced imaging to solve critical shaving challenges and drive product innovation at a global scale.<\/p>\n Kevin McMullen:<\/strong> BS, MS, Civil Engineering \u2013 University of Connecticut (\u201915, \u201919). McMullen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York. At USMA, McMullen is dedicated to delivering a high-quality educational experience for his cadets and developing them as leaders of character. His research focuses on the design and analysis of protective structures for the US Army and the advancement of engineering education.<\/p>\n Rojaun\u00a0Samuda:<\/strong> BS, Computer Science and Engineering \u2013 University of Connecticut (\u201922). Samuda serves as a software engineer at The Cigna Group, leading an engineering team spearheading digital transformation through automation. He has become a primary liaison between Cigna and UConn, representing the company at career fairs, speaking at student organizations, and facilitating nationwide recruiting through the TECDP Program. He also meets regularly with Cigna Scholars, continuing to mentor them throughout their time at UConn.<\/p>\n Dominique Schiraldi:<\/strong> BS, Chemical Engineering \u2013 University of Connecticut (\u201920). Schiraldi is a Senior Manager, MES Engineering Cell Therapy Network Business Partner at Bristol Myers Squibb. In this role, she supports the manufacturing of advanced cell therapies, designing and maintaining Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) that convert complex scientific processes into scalable, compliant production workflows. Her work helps bring personalized, life-changing medicine to patients who need them most.<\/p>\n Xin Shen:<\/strong> BS, Optical Information Science and Engineering, MS, Electrical Engineering \u2013 Xidian University (\u201910, \u201913); Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering \u2013 University of Connecticut (\u201918). Shen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Hartford, where he also serves as Program Director of the Computer and Electronic Engineering Technology (CEET) program. Shen\u2019s research spans optical sensing, computational imaging, and intelligent information processing, with applications in advanced visualization and emerging technologies. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and serves as Conference Co-Chair of the SPIE Three-Dimensional Imaging, Visualization, and Display Conference.<\/p>\n Kinga Wrobel:<\/strong> BS, Mechanical Engineering \u2013 University of Connecticut (\u201918); M.S., Space Systems Engineering \u2013 Johns Hopkins University (\u201922). Wrobel began her career at Pratt & Whitney as a propulsion systems analysis engineer on the F135 program. While serving as lead analysis engineer for the longest-running F135 ground test engine, she simultaneously earned her Master\u2019s in Space Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. Now a Space Systems Engineer at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Wrobel has spent recent years contributing to NASA and national security space programs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The UConn College of Engineering recognized graduates of the last decade (GOLD) who inspire the world around them through their contributions to the field of engineering during the UConn Academy of Distinguished Engineers. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":246706,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_crdt_document":"","wds_primary_category":0,"wds_primary_series":0,"wds_primary_attribution":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1866],"tags":[],"magazine-issues":[],"coauthors":[2646],"class_list":["post-246704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-engr"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-03 15:52:45","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246704"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246704\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":246777,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246704\/revisions\/246777"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media\/246706"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246704"},{"taxonomy":"magazine-issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/magazine-issues?post=246704"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=246704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Graphic](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GOLD-Graphic-1-1024x512.png\")