Darshan G Pahinkar

Darshan is the principal investigator of AETL and an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical and Civil Engineering Department at Florida Tech. Before joining Florida Tech, he was a post-doctoral fellow in Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and led research in interface materials for electronic packaging and materials of neuromorphic computing. He received his Ph.D. from Georgia Tech in the Fall of 2016, specializing in gas separation systems. He received his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from the Government College of Engineering, Pune, India, in 2006 and his M.E. in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, in 2009, focusing on Thermal and Fluids. He was a manager (Development) at Tata Motors Engineering Research Center, Pune, between 2009 and 2011.

Jakia Sharmin Mim

Ph.D. Student (Summer 2025 - Present)

Mim completed her bachelor's degree in Glass and Ceramic Engineering from Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Bangladesh. She later earned a master's degree in Materials Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). After completing her master’s, she worked on a metal matrix composite project at the Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment (ISEE), Ohio University, for one year. This diverse academic background inspired her to pursue a PhD focusing on carbon dioxide capture through an adsorption system.

Rithwik Lella

M.S. Student (Fall 2024 - Present) 

After earning his Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from GITAM University in Visakhapatnam, India in 2023, Rithwik completed a five-month internship in the Power-Train & Drive-Train R&D Department at Daimler India Commercial Vehicles. Following this, he is currently pursuing his MS in Mechanical Engineering at Florida Tech, specializing in Thermal and Fluid Sciences. His research centers around conducting experimental investigations of multiphase flows in adsorbent channels and synthesizing adsorbent layers using 3D printing.

Pranav Naik

M.S. Student (Summer 2025 - Present)

Pranav holds a diploma and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Mumbai, where his interest in machines began. He interned at Tata Power’s 250 MW thermal power plant and later worked in manufacturing as a quality control and design engineer for mechanical seals. Now pursuing a master’s in Mechanical Engineering at Florida Tech, he focuses on thermal and fluid sciences to deepen his expertise.

Jacob Sequeira

M.S. Student (Fall 2025 - Present)

Jacob honorably served in the U.S. Navy before completing his BA in General Studies of STEM at Southern New Hampshire University. Gaining experience working in manufacturing design and as a STEM educator, Jacob now pursues a master’s of Mechanical Engineering at Florida Tech. He is committed to building on current research endeavors and contributing to sustainability projects.

 

Kaleem Bocus

B.S. Student (Fall 2023 - Present)

Kaleem is currently pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with an expected graduation date in December 2026. He is CAPE scholarship winner from Trinidad and Tobago. He enjoys learning new skills and socialising. Kaleem's work focuses on developing new ideas for adsorbent coating, taking high speed flow visualization videos. 

Stephan Jean-Baptiste

B.S. Student (Fall 2024 - Present)

Stephan is currently a 3rd-year Mechanical Engineering student, expected to graduate in Spring 2026. He plans to pursue a Master’s degree, aiming to complete it by 2028. Stephan aspires to build a career in developmental engineering, with a focus on CAD modeling and design. At AETL, he will work on new roadway deicing techniques.

Santiago Florez-Tascon Gamero

B.S. Student (Fall 2025 - Present)

Santiago is currently in his final year of B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He plans to pursue two Master's degrees: one in Engineering Management and the other in Mechanical Engineering, focused on Thermal-Fluid Sciences. On campus, Santiago is a thrower for the Florida Tech Cross Country-Track team.

Noah Rodriguez

B.S. Student (Fall 2025 - Present)

Noah is currently pursuing his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and expects to graduate in Spring 2026. He plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, focusing on Thermal-Fluid sciences. He enjoys exploring nature and playing soccer in his spare time. At AETL he is interested in improving adsorbent coating techniques.