The OPIM Innovate initiative is led by MIS Academic Director, Jonathan Moore, with assistance from adjunct faculty Ryan O’Connor and Stephen Fitzgerald.
The Lab Specialists each have a technology focus area, but are cross trained in technologies across all five areas of 3D Printers, Microcontrollers, Data Analytics, Virtual Reality, and Internet of Things devices. They are available to walk you through the process of design thinking and provide all of the resources in our Innovation Space and Research Lab.
The Marketing Specialists each have their focus on a different part of representing the OPIM Innovate initiative. Our website, marketing strategy, and organizational relationships are all overseen to create as much synergy with partners as possible.
All guests must sign in to use the Innovation Space or the Research Lab. Time in the lab must be scheduled if for an extended period of time.
The Lab Team
Hannah Bonitz
Year: Senior
Major: Management Information Systems
Role: Lab Specialist
Hannah has been working with the OPIM department since the Fall of 2018. Hannah works as a lab specialist to manage the breakdown of our analytics technology track into more specific educational materials by software and difficultly level. This is in an effort to more comprehensively engage students with varying levels of broad analytics knowledge and familiarity with specific tools.
Alexander Zevin
Year: Sophomore
Major: Management Information Systems
Role: Lab Specialist
Alex has been working with the OPIM department since the fall of 2018. He is interested in learning more about Virtual Reality and VR analytics. Alex also works with machine learning technologies such as artificial intelligence and deep learning.
Nathan Hom
Year: Junior
Major: Management and Engineering for Manufacturing
Role: Lab Specialist
Nathan has been working with the OPIM department since the fall of 2017. He is interested in researching viability of recycling plastic filament for multiple uses. Nathan is also interested in industrial IoT technology to predict machine breakdown and product quality issues (MEM Senior Design).
Robert McClardy
Year: Sophomore
Major: Computer Science
Role: Lab Specialist
Robert has been working with the OPIM department since the fall of 2017. He is very interested in Internet of Things and learning more about data analytics. Robert is currently working on attaching custom motion sensors in the 3D printed School of Business model.
Eli Udler
Year: Senior
Major: Computer Science and Engineering
Role: Lab Specialist
Eli has been working with the OPIM department since the fall of 2018. He is researching wearable technology with integrated biometric sensors. His interests include the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Jonathan Denman
Year: Sophomore
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Role: Lab Specialist
Jon has been working with the OPIM department since the fall of 2018. Within OPIM Innovate, he works with the drone technology track and seeing how the technology has disrupted a number of industries including insurance, logistics, medicine, and entertainment.
Joanne Cheong
Year: Junior
Major: Management Information Systems with a minor in Data Analytics
Role: Lab Research Specialist
Joanne has been working with the OPIM department since the fall of 2018. She is currently working on creating different levels of tech kits for Tableau. Some upcoming tech kits that she will also be working on soon are JMP and Splunk.
The Marketing Team
Mariah Donahue
Year: Freshman
Major: Computer Science Engineering and German Studies
Role: Web Development Specialist
Mariah has been working with the OPIM department since the start of Spring 2019. Within OPIM Innovate, she works closely with the rest of the marketing team to develop the websites for OPIM Innovate, the OPIM Department, and for the Information Management Association.
Mariela Kridzelis
Year: Senior
Major: Management Information Systems and English with Data Analytics minor
Role: Communications Specialist
Mariela has been working with the OPIM department since the Spring of 2019. She works as a Communications Specialist, connecting all UConn students to the OPIM department by creating written content on emerging technologies, OPIM Innovate workshops, and other OPIM-related topics. She makes it her mission to make complex technology- and business-oriented concepts digestible to students and faculty members of all academic backgrounds and disciplines.
Haley Stein
Year: Senior
Major: Graphic Design with Communications Minor
Role: Graphic Design Specialist
Haley has been working with OPIM since the start of Spring 2019. She works on branding for the department through developing event flyers, newsletters, advertisements, and other visual designs. Haley is most interested in problem-solving through the use of typography, photography, and illustration.