Preparing Students for a Career in STEM

Dr. Md Rakibul Karim Akanda is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Electrical Engineering Technology program at Savannah State University. He completed his PhD degree from University of California Riverside in 2021.

He has published 23 journals and conference papers. He has published in IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, Applied Physics Letters, Physical Review B, AIP Advances, Nano Express, Springer Nature and IEEE conferences. He has worked as a journal reviewer of more than 70 journal papers from 18 different renowned journals.

He has worked as a Co-PD and Senior Personnel on grants totaling $1.4 million. He has mentored 31 undergraduate students in various funded research projects, and senior design projects. He is a researcher and educator specializing in embedded systems, computational materials science, condensed matter physics, spintronics, nanotechnology, and machine learning.

Dr. Agegnehu Atena is a Professor of Mathematics and Coordinator of the Mathematics Program in the College of Engineering Technology and Computing at Savannah State University. In his role as coordinator, he oversees course scheduling, collaborates with professional advisors, and evaluates transfer mathematics courses to support student success and program effectiveness.
Dr. Atena has an extensive record of securing external funding through participation in multiple grants. His recent projects include the AI Teaching & Learning Collaborative: Transforming Teaching, Learning, and Educator Preparation with Artificial Intelligence (2026–2031, $3,882,918). He also contributed to the NSF S-STEM Hub initiative, Investigating the Capacity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to Develop, Accommodate, and Graduate Low-Income STEM Students (2022-2026, $12,000), he participated in the NSF Sub-award project " Collaborative Research: S-STEM Organizational Partnerships Research Hub: Inter-and Intra-Institutional partnerships to support low-income engineering students”(2024,$1500), and served as a PI on the project “Supporting Undergraduate STEM Degree Completion Through a Learning Community/Cohort Model that Develops Belonging, Mindset, and Purpose” (2019–2026, $999,997).
Additionally, Dr. Atena has been involved in initiatives aimed at strengthening mathematics education and community engagement, “Math Teachers’ Circle Training Program” (2019, $3,000). He also served as a PI for the NSF HBCU-UP Targeted Infusion Project, “Developing a Minor in Applied Mathematics at Savannah State University “(2017–2022, $399,972).

Dr. Majid Bagheri is an Assistant Professor and coordinator for the Civil Engineering Technology program in the College of Engineering Technology and Computing at Savannah State University. His academic and research interests span environmental engineering, water and wastewater treatment, environmental systems, and sustainable technologies, with an emphasis on applying innovative engineering solutions to real-world environmental challenges. Dr. Bagheri is actively involved in teaching, student mentoring, and interdisciplinary research that integrates engineering principles with environmental protection and sustainability.

Abhinandan Chowdhury is a Professor of Mathematics and Data Analytics in the College of Engineering Technology and Computing. He is also serving as the Coordinator of the Data Analytics Bachelor’s and certificate programs. Dr. Chowdhury received his master's and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His research entails applied mathematics and advanced computing, with a particular focus on the mathematical modeling of transport properties in heterogeneous media and the numerical analysis of nonlinear wave phenomena. Driven by modern advancements in AI, his current research leverages machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) to bridge the gap between physical laws and data-driven modeling. He has published over 20 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and authored more than 25 presentations at scientific conferences and colloquia.

Over the past eight years, Dr. Chowdhury has secured approximately $4 million in grant funding as PI or Co-PI from U.S. federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy. These awards have fueled critical advancements in enhancing research and instructional capacity in Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence while directly sponsoring research opportunities for hundreds of SSU undergraduates. He has directly mentored and trained around 25 undergraduate and graduate students on grant-funded research projects. Most of his mentees have consistently secured placement in highly competitive nationally recognized graduate programs, including Ohio State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln - as well as prominent organizations like SAS Software, Gulfstream, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
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Patrick Dean is Director of the Outreach & Career Development Office in the College of Engineering Technology and Computing at Savannah State University. He provides leadership for STEM outreach, workforce development, student success initiatives, career readiness programming, and strategic partnerships that connect students to academic, research, and employment opportunities.

He oversees regional STEM programs, including the Regional Science and Engineering Fair, F.I.R.S.T.™ LEGO League competitions, K-12 outreach initiatives, undergraduate career development services, and the SSU Title III-funded STEM Esports Activity. He also serves as a liaison to federal and industry partners, including Department of Defense contractors, helping expand experiential learning, internship, mentorship, and workforce pathways for students.

In addition, he instructs Freshman Year Experience (FYE) courses, supporting student engagement, academic success, and career exploration. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Public Administration from Savannah State University.


Take Care and All the Best!

Alberto De La Cruz is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science Technology at Savannah State University, where he provides leadership in program coordination, curriculum development, laboratory advancement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
He has secured multiple external grants, including several NSA GenCyber awards and U.S. Department of Education funding, to support computing and cybersecurity education and broaden participation among underrepresented students. His professional experience spans academia, industry, and military service, and he holds Cisco certifications in networking, ethical hacking, and cybersecurity analysis. His work focuses on teaching, grant leadership, applied computing and cybersecurity initiatives, and mentoring students in computing and engineering technology education.

Dr. Mir Hayder received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University. He joined Savannah State University (SSU) in Fall 2011. Prior to joining SSU, he worked at the University of Texas at El Paso in the NASA Center for Space Exploration Technology Research (cSETR). At SSU, Dr. Hayder serves as the Coordinator of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program and teaches a wide range of courses, including Thermo-Fluids, Heat Transfer, Computer Graphics, 3D Modeling, Engineering Mechanics, Engineering Materials, Robotics, Engineering Economy, and Quality Control. His research interests include fluid-structure interaction, syngas and blended fuel combustion, flow and structural simulations, and engineering and technology education. His work has been published in the ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, Fuel, and the Journal of Nuclear Engineering and Design. He has presented research papers at the ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping, AIAA Fluid Dynamics, Offshore (Ocean) and Polar Engineering, and Flow-Induced Vibrations, as well as other national and international conferences. In addition to institutional and student-oriented activities, Dr. Hayder is actively involved in community and professional activities. He is a member of ASME, ASEE, and AIAA.

Sujin Kim is professor of Mathematics and Dara Analytics. She is an experienced professional with multidisciplinary expertise in Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences, integrating mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, finance, public health, biomedical research, data science, and analytics to drive evidence-based decision-making and innovation: transforming complex data into insights and developing robust, data-driven solutions to address challenging interdisciplinary problems.

Dr. Mulatu Lemma. is a distinguished professor of mathematics at Savanah State University in the United States. He has been teaching math at the same university for the past 32 years. Before moving to the United States, he worked as a teacher at Hawassa Agricultural College for five years in Ethiopia. After moving to the United States, he earned a master’s and PhD from Kent State University. He earned his degrees in mathematics.
Dr. Mulatu Lemma is known for using student-centered teaching methods and involving students in his research. In 2011, he introduced Mulatu numbers to the mathematics community and the world. It took more than three years for Dr. Mulatu Lemma to conduct the study, and in his new study he introduced more than 13 theorems. He has also published over 410 research papers in internationally recognized journals and has presented papers at different conferences.
Dr. Mulatu Lemma is known not only for his research but also for his special support to his students. In particular, he is a well-known scholar in supporting the marginalized sections of society and encouraging them to succeed in their studies and lives.
Dr. Mulatu Lemma has received 12 major awards, including a special award from the President of the United States, for his outstanding contributions to the fields of science, mathematics and engineering.
Dr. Mulatu Lemma has been awarded the Presidential Award of Excellence by President Donald J. Trump. The mathematics professor of Savannah State University, from the historical black college in Georgia was noted among 12 recipients across the nation.
Professor Mulatu Lemma , has been selected as Top Professor of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) in 2023.

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Dr. Shinemin Lin earned his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Kansas in 1991. Throughout his academic career, he has been dedicated to nurturing students, fostering their intellectual growth, and helping them realize their full potential. His commitment to education extends beyond the classroom through active engagement in community service initiatives, including efforts to promote and share Chinese culture within local communities.
Dr. Lin has maintained an active research agenda and has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, averaging approximately two publications per year. His research interests include mathematical modeling, applied mathematics, and innovative approaches to mathematics education.
Currently, Dr. Lin serves as a Professor of Mathematics and a member of the Graduate Faculty, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, mentors students, and contributes to curriculum development and academic leadership.
In recognition of his research contributions, Dr. Lin was awarded Faculty Research Fellowships in 2009 and 2011. Through these fellowships, he conducted research on bore analysis of railguns at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Virginia and in Charleston, South Carolina. His work has contributed to the application of mathematical and computational techniques in defense-related research.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Dr. Lin continues to advance mathematics education, scholarship, and community engagement through his teaching, research, and service

Dr. Ying Liu is a professor of Computer Science Technology at Savannah State University. He teaches computer science courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Operating System, Compiler, Database, Data Structures, …. He has also directed several student research projects.
He has extensive experience in artificial intelligence research and quantum computing research. Recent publications in artificial intelligence include:
Ying Liu, Majid Bagheri, Antonio Velazquez, Asad Yousuf, (2025) Deep Neural Networks and Universal Approximators II, International Journal of Modern Engineering, Volume 25, Number 1, 2024, pp. 23 – 34, https://ijme.us/issues/fall2024/fall_2024.htm.
Y Liu and A Yousuf, Deep Neural Network and Universal Approximators, International Journal of Modern Engineering, Vol 20, Number 2, Summer 2020.
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Recent publications in quantum computing include:
Liu, Y. (2026), Grover’s Model with Single Oracle Call and Log(N) Different Diffusion Calls. Journal of Quantum Information Science , 16, 240-251. https://doi.org/10.4236/jqis.2026.162009
Liu, Y. (2026) The Single-Rotation Quantum Search Algorithm: Amplitude Amplification with One
Oracle Call. Journal of Quantum Information Science, 16, 161-190. https://doi.org/10.4236/jqis.2026.162006
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Lina Merchan is a Full Professor of Physics in the College of Engineering Technology and Computing at Savannah State University as well as the Coordinator for the Associate of Science- Core Curriculum. Dr. Lina Merchan did her PhD in Physics at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and three Postdocs at Emory University in the Departments on Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science and in the Winship Cancer Institute. She did research in Biophysics and Radiology using High Performance Computing. In research years, she has done research on Physics Education by finding methods to engage students in the learning process

Dr. Moaveni is an Associate Professor specializing in Transportation Geotechnics in the College of Engineering Technology and Computing at Savannah State University. He received his PhD in Civil Engineering in 2015 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and currently a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in three states including GA, NC, and TX.

Dr. Moaveni has research and industry interests in laboratory and field characterization of pavement materials, i.e., subgrade soils, aggregates, asphalt, and cement concrete mixtures used in stabilization, construction, and preservation of highways, airports, and railroads. He also focuses on application of advanced technologies, including machine vision and machine learning, in development of sensors for infrastructure health monitoring. He has published more than 60 articles in peer-reviewed international journals and conference proceedings. He was the 2019 recipient of the TRB’s best paper award in geological and geo-environmental engineering section.

Dr. Moaveni is an active member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as well as Transportation Research Board (TRB). He is currently serving as a member of TRB Standing Committee on Pavement Foundation (AKN16). Since joining Savannah State University in 2019, he has served as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator on multiple research and educational projects totaling more than $1.2 million in external funding. Supported by agencies such as NSF, GDOT, USACE, FHWA, and USG, his work has advanced sustainable transportation infrastructure, pavement and geotechnical engineering practices, and engineering education initiatives while providing research opportunities for undergraduate students

Tilahun Muche is a prof of Mathematics in the college of CETC. He expands undergraduate and graduate research opportunities, developing projects that connect theoretical mathematics with applications. Supervised and mentored undergraduate and graduate research projects involving graph theory, number theory, abstract algebra, mathematical modeling, and applications of mathematics. He published articles on these areas for himself, with undergraduate and graduate students.
In collaboration with departmental faculty, during Momentum Year initiative he collaborates closely with departmental faculty to contributed, enhancement of undergraduate and graduate mathematics curricula. Possible activities include reviewing updating course content, strengthening the integration of theoretical and computational approaches, developing new instructional materials, and expanding opportunities for undergraduate research.
He has been working in collaboration of universities involving his undergraduate students in summer research program. Outside of academia, he is an avid soccer fan who enjoys both watching and playing sport.

Hyounkyun Oh, PhD, is a Professor of Data Analytics and Mathematics in College of Engineering Technology and Computing at Savannah State University. He earned his PhD in Applied Mathematics and holds Master’s degrees in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, and Data Analytics. Dr. Oh is deeply committed to advancing excellence in both undergraduate and graduate mathematics education, leveraging his multidisciplinary background to foster student success and innovation in the mathematical sciences.

With 26 years of experience teaching mathematics at the technical college and university, Professor LaTriece Tanksley combines a strong foundation in mathematics with advanced studies in mathematics education. Over the course of her career, she has become known for her ability to make even the most challenging mathematical ideas approachable, guiding students through everything from foundational concepts to higher-level problem solving.
What truly sets Professor Tanksley apart is her passion for teaching and her dedication to students who are excited about learning and exploring mathematics. She believes that curiosity and enthusiasm are powerful tools for discovery, and she works hard to create a classroom environment where students feel supported, inspired, and confident in their abilities. Many of her students credit her with helping them not just succeed in math, but actually enjoy the journey.

Dr. Wondimu Tekalign serves as an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Savannah State University, where he leads advanced instruction and academic research in the field of applied mathematics. He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University at Buffalo in 2005.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Tekalign possesses an extensive instructional background that spans both undergraduate and graduate curricula. Prior to his current appointment, he held teaching positions at the Rochester Institute of Technology and Alcorn State University.
As an active contributor to the mathematical community, Dr. Tekalign focuses his research on applied mathematics. His scholarly work and scientific findings have been extensively published in numerous prestigious, peer-reviewed journals. Beyond research and instruction, he actively supports institutional operations and scholarly standards, having served on numerous academic committees and as a peer reviewer for leading scientific journals.

Dr. Antonio Velazquez is an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Technology at Savannah State University, where he teaches structural engineering, engineering mechanics, construction management, and data-driven engineering courses, and mentors undergraduate research and capstone projects. He has extensive experience in multidisciplinary research spanning structural health monitoring, smart infrastructure, and artificial intelligence applications in structural engineering, environmental systems, and fault detection. His work integrates AI/Deep Learning/Machine Learning, wired/wireless sensing instrumentation, and computational mechanics to address challenges in infrastructure resilience, smart structures, environmental monitoring, and STEM education innovation. Dr. Velazquez actively engages undergraduate students in applied research and experiential learning.

Dr. Velazquez has secured and contributed to multiple externally funded projects totaling several million dollars from agencies including the U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Education, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Community Affairs, and the National Research Council of Canada, among other agencies. These efforts support initiatives in modeling and simulation, AI-enhanced sensing systems, fault prognosis for critical infrastructure, and workforce development for underrepresented students.

His career spans academia and international research, including prior faculty appointments at Ohio University and the Metropolitan Autonomous University of Mexico, as well as postdoctoral work in engineering education and artificial intelligence at Jackson State University. He is a recipient of multiple teaching and research awards, including two editions of the Savannah State University’s Faculty Teaching Excellence Award

Asad Yousuf is Associate Dean of the College of Engineering Technology and Computing and a Professor of Electrical Engineering Technology at Savannah State University. He provides leadership in academic programs, accreditation, and faculty development.
He has extensive experience in ABET accreditation and has secured over $3 million in external funding to support initiatives in cybersecurity education, modeling and simulation, and engineering curriculum development.
Dr. Yousuf’s career spans academia and industry, including collaborations with NASA, Lockheed Martin, and other organizations, along with leading applied cybersecurity research involving undergraduate students.