Meet the Team

The OPIM Innovate initiative is led by MIS Academic Director, Jonathan Moore, with assistance from In-Residence faculty member, Stephen Fitzgerald

The Lab Specialists each specialize in a specific technology focus area but are cross-trained in technologies across all 8 learning modules. They are available anytime the lab is open to assist you with any questions you have while completing our tech kits as well as 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.

 

The Lab Team

Nick Satta

Year: Senior

Major: Electrical Engineering

Role: Lab Manager

Nick is working on updating the lab space with new technology, equipment and programs for the UConn community to enjoy as well as running day to day operations of the lab. Previously, he was formerly in charge of building out the X-Reality tech track with new VR, AR and 360 video content. On top of this, he helped build the FarmBot autonomous farming robot in the greenhouse.

Tyler Goodwin

Year: Senior

Major: Marketing

Role: Lab Manager

Tyler is a senior studying marketing with a concentration in professional sales leadership. He has a passion for emerging technology and business, and hopes to further develop the scope of OPIM innovate as a lab manager. Outside of OPIM Innovate, Tyler is a varsity rower on UConn Men’s Crew.

Julia Somma

Year: Senior

Major: Management and Engineering for Manufacturing

Role: Lab Research Specialist

Julia was formerly in charge of the 3D Technology tech track, and updated the 3D Printing and 3D Modeling tech kits last year. Currently, she is assigned to the Data Visualization tech track in order to further her interest in the use of data analytics and visualizations for evaluating and optimizing manufacturing processes.

Nicolas Michel

Year: Senior

Major: Computer Science

Role: Lab Research Specialist

I am a senior studying CS with a concentration in security. For fun I participate in hackathons, climb, and ride mountain bikes. This semester at OPIM Innovate I'll be working on our predictive analytics tech kits.

Mariah Donahue

Year: Senior

Major: Applied Mathematics 

Role: Web Development Specialist 

Mariah maintains the OPIM Innovate website and recently took over the Programming tech track. Aside from her interest in problem-solving, she loves yoga and watching Netflix with her cat. She's looking forward to meeting new explorers in the Innovate lab.

Annabel Terry

Year: Junior

Major: Management Information Systems

Role: Lab Research Specialist

This semester Annabel will be in charge of the Internet of Things (IOT) learning module. She will be working on revising the digital assistants tech track and building the smart tech tech track. She is pursuing the 4+1 MSBAPM track.

Yasin Balogou

Year: Senior

Major: Mathematics

Role: Lab Research Specialist

Yasin is a senior studying Mathematics, and his interests are currently in cryptography and cybersecurity. He will be running the blockchain tech track which includes ledgers, cryptocurrency, and NFTs.

Audrey Larson

Year: Sophomore

Major: Materials Science and Engineering and Civil Engineering

Role: Lab Research Specialist

Audrey Larson is a sophomore Materials Science Engineering and Civil Engineering student who is passionate about our environment and sustainable materials. Here at OPIM she works with our 3D printing, scanning and modeling tracks in addition to planning our events and working on our social media.

Brennan Giglio

Year: Junior

Major: Computer Science

Role: Lab Research Specialist

Brennan is going to be working with Artificial Intelligence in the lab this semester, and hopes to be able to work with AI later on in his career. He currently has a concentration in software design and development, and enjoys hitting the gym outside of the lab.

Zahra Abdulmajeed

Year: Junior

Major: Management Information Systems

Role: Lab Research Specialist

Zahra enjoys interacting and learning about new tech. She has been assigned to work with VR, AR, and 360.

Muneeb Syed

Year: Sophomore

Major: Management and Engineering for Manufacturing

Role: Lab Research Specialist

Muneeb is passionate about robotics and engineering. He was the former Captain of a 2-time state championship FTC Robotics Team. He has also worked on projects using microcontrollers in various medical applications. He hopes to bring his knowledge and passion for learning to the OPIM Innovate Lab!

Patrick Cummins

Year: Junior

Major: Data Science

Role: Lab Research Specialist

Patrick is an undergraduate junior studying Data Science concentrating in Statistics with a minor in Political Science. He hopes to grow awareness for data science at UConn and looks forward to helping students learn more about emerging technologies.

Jason Tyler

Year: Sophomore

Major: Management Information Systems

Role: Lab Research Specialist

Jason is a sophomore honors student studying Management Information Systems. He is overseeing the Internet of Things (IOT) tech track in the lab this semester, and enjoys climbing and skiing outside of his work. Jason has always had a passion for tech, specifically building computers for himself and friends.

Lucy Ledesma

Year: Sophomore

Major: Management and Engineering for Manufacturing

Role: Lab Research Specialist

Lucy is a first-year with an interest in emerging technologies, especially sustainable technology. She will be working to develop the EcoInnovate initiative.

Anthony Prior

Year: Freshman

Major: Management and Engineering for Manufacturing

Role: Lab Research Specialist

Anthony is a freshman majoring in Management and Engineering for Manufacturing. At OPIM Innovate he looks forward to expanding the 3D Technology tech track, and creating some 3D printing challenges for people to test the skills they have learned at OPIM Innovate. He has  a passion for 3D printing as it allows people to quickly bring their ideas to the real world. In his free time he is working on UCONN's Formula SAE team or rock climbing at the rec.

Ayush Mehta

Year: Freshman

Major: ACES

Role: Marketing Specialist

Ayush plans to pursue finance with a minor in analytics. Some of his interests include going to the gym, playing tennis, and going on road trips. He hopes to help improve OPIM Innovate's social presence on engagement while learning more about the other technologies that the lab offers.

Lianne Duran

Year: Sophomore

Major: Exercise Science

Role: Marketing Specialist

Lianne is a sophomore Exercise Science major and interested in creating accessibility to biomedical technology that could better benefit healthcare. Here at OPIM Innovate, she is responsible for the graphic design developments. Aside from academics, she loves to swim and is a part of the water polo club team here, and reads whenever she can!