{"id":246764,"date":"2026-05-27T13:10:47","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=246764"},"modified":"2026-05-27T13:17:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:17:36","slug":"uconn-engineering-academy-induction-applauds-and-inspires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2026\/05\/uconn-engineering-academy-induction-applauds-and-inspires\/","title":{"rendered":"UConn Engineering Academy Induction Applauds and Inspires"},"content":{"rendered":"

For\u00a0decades, the UConn College of Engineering has shaped engineers whose influence extends far beyond the classroom, laboratory, and campus. At this year\u2019s Academy of Distinguished Engineers induction ceremony, alumni, faculty, family, and friends gathered to celebrate a new class of leaders whose careers reflect innovation, mentorship, and a lasting commitment to the engineering profession and the UConn community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Twelve\u00a0Class of 2026 inductees were recognized in an event\u00a0at\u00a0the UConn Alumni Center\u00a0on the Storrs Campus on May 21.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe\u00a0<\/span>Academy of Distinguished Engineers<\/span><\/a>\u00a0represents the very\u00a0best of\u00a0UConn Engineering,\u201d says Dean JC Zhao.\u00a0\u201cThis year\u2019s inductees have made remarkable contributions to their fields while\u00a0remaining\u00a0deeply connected to our college and community. These inductees reflect the innovation, leadership, and impact that define UConn Engineering.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the event, inductees shared\u00a0their gratitude for their experiences at UConn, thanking various professors and advisors that shaped them on their path.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A
UConn Academy of Distinguished Engineers 2026 inductees. (Christopher LaRosa\/UConn Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Academy induction ceremony celebrates not only professional achievement, but also the lasting connections our alumni maintain with UConn Engineering and each other,\u201d says Senior Director of Development & Alumni Relations Caitlin Krouse. \u201cIt was an honor to celebrate their achievements and welcome them into the Academy.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thursday\u2019s event also recognized\u00a0several\u00a0GOLD\u00a0(Graduates of the Last Decade) Rising Stars. More information about those\u00a0inductees\u00a0is available online.<\/a> Photos from Thursday\u2019s event are\u00a0<\/span>also available.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2026 Academy inductees include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mohamed Ahmed<\/span><\/b>:\u00a0BS, MS, Computer Science\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0The American University\u00a0at\u00a0Cairo (\u201901, \u201904);\u00a0Ph.D., Computer Science\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0UConn\u00a0(\u201909). Ahmed leads AWS\u2019s\u00a0global GenAI Startup Strategy across NAMER, EMEA, and APJ\u00a0<\/span>\u2014 managing a $120M P&L, partnering with world-class GENAI startups, and\u00a0maintaining\u00a0strategic relationships with tier-1 investors including a16z, Sequoia, and Bessemer.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Swetaprovo\u00a0Chaudhuri:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>BS, Mechanical Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0Jadavpur University (\u201906); Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014\u00a0<\/span>UConn\u00a0(\u201910). Chaudhuri\u00a0is currently a professor at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies. He is an expert in turbulent reacting flows and propulsion, internationally recognized for his pioneering contributions to turbulent flame stabilization, propagation, and structure.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

James Fallon:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>BA, Liberal\u00a0Arts\u00a0and Sciences\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0Fairfield University (\u201990); BS, Civil Engineering MBA, Finance and Management\u00a0<\/span>\u2014\u00a0<\/span>UConn\u00a0(\u201992, \u201901). Fallon is currently the chief engineer of the Connecticut Department of Transportation. He currently oversees 1,100 employees engaged in the design and construction\u00a0of\u00a0 multi-modal transportation capital improvements.\u00a0He joined the department in 1994 and has held a variety of positions in both engineering and capital planning.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hami Golbayani:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0BS, Mechanical Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014\u00a0<\/span>University of Tehran (\u201903); M.Eng., Mechanical Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0K.N.\u00a0Toosi\u00a0University of Technology (\u201906); MS, Financial Mathematics, Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0UConn\u00a0(\u201911, \u201912).\u00a0Golbayani\u00a0is a quantitative risk strategist and engineering leader recognized for his contributions at the intersection\u00a0of finance, technology, and complex systems design. He currently serves as the executive director of liquidity modeling at Wells Fargo.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Geoff Hunt, Service Award:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>BE, Mechanical Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0The University of\u00a0Sheffield (\u201985);\u00a0MBA\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0Boston University (\u201903).\u00a0Hunt is the senior vice president of product strategy at Pratt\u00a0& Whitney.\u00a0There, he serves as a liaison with airframers and other customers, driving strategic leadership for future program development and advancing Pratt\u2019s commitment to innovative and sustainable aviation.\u00a0He previously served as senior vice president for engineering and technology at Collins Aerospace.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inkyu\u00a0Moon:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>MS., Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014\u00a0<\/span>UConn\u00a0(\u201907, \u201908). Moon is a full professor of\u00a0robotics and\u00a0mechatronics\u00a0engineering at the Daegu\u00a0Gyeongbuk\u00a0Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), South Korea.\u00a0Moon previously served as Director of the BK21 FOUR Program and the Micro-Robot Research Center at DGIST. Moon\u2019s research focuses on intelligent imaging systems, digital holography, and AI-driven biomedical imaging.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Robert Moore:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>BS, MS, Civil Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0UConn\u00a0(\u201967, \u201970).\u00a0Moore\u2019s service includes 28 years with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, where he rose to deputy commissioner.\u00a0He played\u00a0a central role\u00a0in shaping Connecticut\u2019s environmental policy and programs, including the development of an environmental justice program, groundwater management program,\u00a0and\u00a0brownfields\u00a0redevelopment.\u00a0He\u00a0established\u00a0the State Clean Water Fund, which has financed more than\u00a0$1.5 billion\u00a0in wastewater infrastructure improvements.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mark Poliks:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>BS, Chemistry and Mathematics\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0University of Massachusetts Lowell (\u201982); MS, Ph.D., Materials Science\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0UConn\u00a0(\u201984, \u201987).\u00a0Poliks is a SUNY distinguished professor and empire innovation professor of materials science and engineering, and systems\u00a0science and\u00a0industrial\u00a0engineering at Binghamton University, State University of New York.\u00a0He is the founding director of the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Salay Quaranta:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0BS, MS, Materials Science and Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014\u00a0<\/span>UConn\u00a0(\u201909, \u201913).\u00a0Quaranta is a distinguished engineer whose career exemplifies excellence in manufacturing, laser technology, and materials science.\u00a0Her work includes ultrafast laser blackmarking solutions, as well as commercializing advanced laser and machining systems that\u00a0optimize\u00a0material\u2013laser interactions, throughput, and reliability.\u00a0She is a business executive and materials scientist; vice president of strategic accounts at Denali R&D Corporation, and owner of Q Business Solutions.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rebecca Ruitto Hall:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>BS, Civil Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0UConn\u00a0(\u201909).\u00a0<\/span>Ruitto\u00a0is a senior project manager and principal at CDM Smith.\u00a0Ruitto\u00a0leads transportation planning and design projects while contributing firmwide through mentoring, quality reviews, and business development efforts across the United States and internationally. Ruitto has also contributed more than ten years of service to the Women\u2019s Transportation Seminar,\u00a0where\u00a0she has held multiple executive roles, and has served as a Northeast Region Council Representative.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Steve Schmidt:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b>BS, Chemical and Materials Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014\u00a0<\/span>UConn\u00a0(\u201993); MS, Mechanical Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0RPI\u00a0at Work (\u201998).\u00a0Schmidt is vice president and chief engineer for the Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Aircraft line of business, providing technical leadership across the full\u00a0aircraft\u00a0lifecycle.\u00a0Prior to becoming vice president, Schmidt served as\u00a0chief\u00a0engineer for Sikorsky\u2019s Heavy Lift Program.\u00a0He joined Sikorsky and began assuming formal leadership responsibilities in 2005.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

William Villano:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>BS, Biological Science,\u00a0<\/span>BS, Environmental Engineering\u00a0<\/span>\u2014<\/span>\u00a0University\u00a0Of\u00a0Connecticut (\u201987, \u201989).\u00a0Villano is an electrical engineering principal fellow at Collins Aerospace with 37 years of experience developing safety-critical embedded control electronics and system architectures for aerospace applications.\u00a0Villano has held leadership roles, including Electrical, Electronic, RF & Optic Discipline Lead for Collins Aerospace, Chair of the RTX Electronics Discipline Council, and Electrical Chief Engineer for RTX Technology & Global Engineering.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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