2025 College of Engineering News

Villanova Engineering Director of Professional Development and Experiential Education Receives Lifetime Achievement Award Frank Falcone, PE, ’70 CE, ’73 MSCE has been honored by the Delaware County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers for his extensive career.
Sofia Nicastro ’25 ChE Shares Her Perspective on the World of Synthetic Biology The newly introduced elective, led by Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor Justin Vento, PhD, is held in the cutting-edge Gary A. Gabriele Lab located in Drosdick Hall.
College of Engineering Celebrates Excellence at 2025 Dean’s Awards Dinner Recognizing academic excellence, leadership and service to the College, the evening showcased remarkable achievements of seniors and graduate students in the Class of 2025.
Sridhar Santhanam Named Vice Dean of College of Engineering Jan 13th, 2025 - In this newly created role, Dr. Santhanam, a professor of Mechanical Engineering, will facilitate College operations and work closely with the leadership team of associate deans, external relations, and strategic initiatives, while helping to support College-level academic programs.
College Honors Distinguished Alumni During 48th Villanova University Engineering Alumni Society Awards Dinner William “Bill” M. Brown ’84 ME, ’87 MSME, chairman and CEO of 3M, received the J. Stanley Morehouse Award, the College’s highest honor, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to the engineering profession.
Super Modelers: Villanova Faculty Researchers Highlight the Important Uses of Epidemiological Mega Tool Scholars in Nursing, Engineering, Law and Mathematics explore how mathematical modeling helps predict, prevent and prepare for disease outbreaks.
Engineering Faculty Honored for their Excellence in Scholarship and Research The 2025 recipients of the University Scholarly Achievement (Sylvie Lorente, PhD) and Mid-Career Scholar (Meltem Izzetoglu, PhD) awards were recognized for their contributions to their fields, the Villanova community, and their impact on the student experience. Additionally, Dr. Lorente and Bo Li, PhD, were recognized for their recent patents.
Villanova Professor and Graduate Student Awarded Patent for Versatile Solute-Assisted Assembly Method Villanova mechanical engineering professor Bo Li, PhD, and recent doctoral graduate Liang Zhao, PhD, have been awarded a patent for their innovative solute-assisted assembly method. The technique enables the precise deposition of micro- and nanomaterials onto a wide range of surfaces, creating versatile applications across multiple industries. Their work represents a significant advancement in nanomaterial coating technology.
NovaCell Faculty Member Participates in 2025 Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Gordon Research Conference Gabriel J. Rodriguez Rivera, PhD, assistant professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, highlighted his group’s work on engineering granular hydrogels for tissue engineering applications during the conference in Barcelona, Spain.
University Trustee Susan ’80 CLAS and Andrew DiLoreto ’80 VSB Make Major Gift to Support the Cabrini Campus Tagaste Hall Geothermal Project Villanova University has received a major gift from trustee Susan DiLoreto ’80 CLAS and husband Andy DiLoreto ’80 VSB to fund a first-of-its kind project that will harness geothermal energy for heating and cooling of Tagaste Hall on Villanova’s Cabrini Campus.
Villanova Engineering Welcomes 7 New Faculty Members The new hires for the 2025-26 academic year include experts in Chemical and Biological, Electrical and Computer, Mechanical, and Sustainable Engineering.
Five Villanova Engineering Faculty Members Receive Promotion The College recognizes these outstanding educators and researchers for their important contributions to teaching and innovation. Their work not only promotes knowledge within their respective fields but also motivates the next generation of engineers.
Two Decades Later, Villanova Engineering Professor Who Assisted in Hurricane Katrina Investigation Reflects on Role in the Storm’s Aftermath Rob Traver, PhD., P.E., BC. WRE, F.EWRI, F.ASCE, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Villanova University, assisted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) investigation of the failure of the New Orleans Hurricane Protection System during Hurricane Katrina, and earned an Outstanding Civilian Service Medal from the Commanding General of USACE for his efforts.
Associate Professor Jacky Huang Elected Chair of ASEE Mid-Atlantic Section Zuyi (Jacky) Huang, PhD, associate professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Villanova University College of Engineering, has been elected chair of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Mid-Atlantic Section for the 2025–2026 term.
Engineering Opportunities Fair 2025 Undergraduate Engineering students are invited to explore the dynamic array of academic minors, enrichment programs, student organizations and research opportunities available within the College of Engineering. Engage with faculty, staff and fellow students to learn how to get involved.
Villanova Launches Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering Launching in fall 2026, this interdisciplinary degree will prepare undergraduate students to apply the principles of engineering, design and physiology to advance human health. Applications are now open.
Deeksha Seth, PhD, and Her Students Combine Technology and Nature to Advance STEM Education Both robotics and virtual reality have permeated into myriad sectors of everyday life, sometimes to simplify tasks and sometimes to entertain. Deeksha Seth, PhD, assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering, has implemented a more scholastic use of this modern technology: for improving engineering education.
College of Engineering Receives $1 Million Gift from David ’74 COE and Irene Oneglia to Advance Civil and Environmental Engineering Research In recognition of the family’s generosity, the Stormwater Quality Laboratory in Drosdick Hall will be named in their honor.
Engineering Students Present at National Conference for Undergraduate Research The annual conference hosts students from global higher education institutions, who present their interdisciplinary research through various media, including posters, oral presentations, visual art and performance.
Jafet Beltran ’25 ME Receives Fulbright English Teaching Flagship Award to Taiwan During his Fulbright year, Beltran looks forward to deepening his understanding of Taiwanese culture while supporting students learning English.
Four Villanova Engineering Professors Honored with 2025 Faculty Awards at Commencement These esteemed faculty members were recognized for their distinctive contributions to their respective fields and their dedication to fostering a meaningful academic environment.
Engineering a Better World: The Kinsley Foundation’s Gift to Villanova The College of Engineering is proud to announce a $1.5 million gift from the Kinsley Foundation. This generous investment will ensure the continued growth and impact of Villanova’s Sustainable Engineering program by supporting visionary leadership, advancing research and expanding learning opportunities for students.
Engineers Among Honorees at Villanova Student Entrepreneurship Competition Cameron Compare ’25 ME received second-place honors and the Halloran Social Impact Prize for his Simply Real Food e-grocer service. Meanwhile, Green Un-Freeze, an interdisciplinary project led by Kamil Aliyev ’26 MSSE, Isaac Bua ’26 MSSE and Rayan Magon ’26 CLAS, received the Klinger Unitas Prize.
Villanova Launches Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering Housed within the Department of Mechanical Engineering, this cutting-edge program will include courses in space flight mechanics, applied aerodynamics, aerospace structures analysis, and advanced flight dynamics and control, among other areas, taught by faculty with extensive industry experience and research expertise.
Villanova Professor Receives Engineer of the Year Award from IEEE Philadelphia Section With a career spanning four decades, Pritpal Singh, PhD, has made significant contributions to the fields of electrical and computer engineering through his research and dedication to education.
Five Villanova Undergraduates Participate in Fourth Annual BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Symposium Five Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellows (VURF) represented the University at the fourth annual BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Symposium, held March 15 at Madison Square Garden. The event, which took place ahead of the BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Championship Game, featured student researchers from all 11 conference institutions showcasing their work across a wide range of disciplines.
Villanova Engineering, Science, and Technology Enrichment and Development Program Sparks Innovation Among High Schoolers For 20 years, under the leadership of Dr. Stephen Jones, VESTED has connected under-resourced communities with opportunities in the field of engineering.
Pulickel M. Ajayan, PhD, of Rice University, Delivers 2025 Jones Distinguished Lecture Dr. Ajayan, a leading expert in nanotechnology, engaged attendees with his address, “The Evolution of Nano-Engineered Materials.”
Villanova Engineering Professor Awarded Patent for Isothermal Compression System Design Sylvie Lorente, PhD, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, William M. Brown ’84, ’87 Endowed Chair in Mechanical Engineering, Develops Solution for Cost-Effective Compressed Air Energy Storage
CBA-GP Recognizes College of Engineering and Dr. Jacky Huang At its second-anniversary celebration, the Chinese Biopharmaceutical Association–Greater Philadelphia honored Villanova’s College of Engineering with the Legacy Award and Zuyi (Jacky) Huang, PhD, with the Dedicated Leadership Award for their contributions to biopharmaceutical collaboration.
E-Week Schedule of Events 2025 Villanova Engineering is marking the first E-Week in Drosdick Hall with a week-long series of events highlighting our departments and programs.
Villanova Engineering Professor Contributes to Glass Bridge Featured at Corning Museum of Glass Spanning 10 meters long and made up of 124 hollow glass units crafted for efficiency and durability, Glass Bridge represents a vision for a more sustainable future.
Villanova Professor Investigates Impacts of Hurricanes on Florida Coast In October 2024, during the height of hurricane season, Hurricanes Milton and Helene swept across the southeastern United States. Their impact on Florida was severe, with damages totaling tens of billions of dollars. While communities in affected states continue to rebuild, a team of researchers mobilized to assess the damage caused in the hopes of better understanding the impacts of hurricane activity in the future.
ECE, Fulbright Scholar Katherine Chiluiza Garcia, PhD, will serve as a professor and mentor to both undergraduate and graduate students in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.
Lauren Iskander '25 ChE, NSF Grad Fellowship The highly competitive fellowship assists top graduate students, like Iskander, who are dedicated to research and the advancement of engineering.
Villanova Engineering Professor and Graduate Student Awarded Patent for Fault Detection and Diagnostics System C. Nataraj, PhD, Moritz Endowed Professor of Engineered Systems, and Turki Haj Mohamad ’21 PhD have been awarded a patent for the development of a fault detection system that provides a software-based method for diagnosing the nature and magnitude of faults within dynamic mechanical and electrical systems.

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