ALL
Undergraduate Student
Patrick Vazquez
Year Joined the Laboratory: Summer 2024, 3rd Year Undergraduate (expected graduation date: May, 2026)
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.
Brandon Diaz Fregoso
Year Joined the Laboratory: Fall 2025, 3rd Year Undergraduate (expected graduation date: May, 2027)
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Hometown: Saint Helena, California
Why I Joined: I joined TEEL for two primary reasons. One being that thermodynamics is one of the most intriguing subjects to me, and two being that Professor Chuang has been both a phenomenal instructor and supportive individual in my pursuit of Aerospace Engineering. On top of that, TEEL as a whole, explores the intersection between sustainability and performance. TEEL laboratory has allowed me to explore the opportunity, role, and the potential that fuel cells can play as valuable technology in renewable energy solutions. Helping me explore and apply relevant topics to aerospace, such as heat and mass transport, fluid mechanics, electrochemistry, porous media, and material science.
Research Interests: My research interests include hybrid propulsion, advanced materials for lightweight and durable applications, along with coupled heat and mass transport in extreme conditions.
Future Goals: Contribute towards research and development in technologies that are both sustainable and performance based, within the commercial aircraft industry.
