ALL
Undergraduate Student
Patrick Vazquez
Year Joined the Laboratory: Summer 2024, 3rd Year Undergraduate
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Glendale, California
Why I Joined: Taking a Thermodynamics class in Spring of 2024 opened the opportunity to connect with Professor Chuang where consistently, the professor offered significant guidance and encouragement that enabled me to submit my best efforts. From this interaction, I knew that pursuing research at the TEEL lab would provide a place to grow while contrubuting to renewable energy solutions and applying relevant class material in the fields of Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, and Electrochemistry. From the diverse interests/work around the lab as well as the connections I have developed technically and professionally.
Research Interests: Characterization of energetic materials through the use of experimentation and simulation, sustainability
Future Goals: Make advancements in research related to the safety of hypergolic propellants to reach cleaner solutions.
Danna Jimenez
Year Joined the laboratory: Fall 2024, 4th year undergraduate
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Santa Ana, California
Why I joined: I joined TEEL because its work on renewable energy technologies, particularly energy storage and conversion using fuel cells and water electrolysis, directly aligns with my passion for sustainability. My civil engineering background has given me a solid foundation in sustainable design and infrastructure, but I wanted to engage more deeply with renewable energy applications. The lab’s hands-on focus would allow me to apply my skills in real-world energy challenges, bridging my civil engineering knowledge with innovative solutions in energy storage—an essential step toward a more sustainable future.
Research interests: Renewable energy, green energy, sustainability
Future Goals: My future goals are to advance renewable energy solutions, continue research at a professional level, and make positive contributions to the environment and society.
Salvador Maciel Rodriguez
Year joined the laboratory: Spring 2025, 4th year undergraduate student
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Madera, California
Why I joined: I saw TEEL as a great opportunity to conduct research on renewable energy technologies. I greatly value the importance of research in advancing the engineering field. TEEL has provided great learning opportunities and has allowed me to continue to grow and develop both technically and professionally, while also enabling me to contribute towards advancing energy solutions. It is a privilege to be a part of TEEL and work with Professor Chuang and the other lab members.
Research interests: Mechanical system optimization, electrochemical systems, renewable energy.
Future goals: After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in the Mechanical Engineering field and contribute to creating a positive impact.
