Staff

Latin Stuff

Educational and Work Experience: Latin Stuff

I have been working oa the CTIS for over four years under the mentorship of Dr. Sheil Nazarian and Dr. Imad Abdallah. Volunteering at the CTIS was the most transcendental experience I had as an undergraduate student. My research and academic opportunities at CTIS have launched me to a career in the Transportation Engineering field. I enjoy every aspect of managing a research project; from developing implemental solutions. to mentoring bright young minds. My greatest challenge so far has been to disseminate the value of research activities to graduate and undergraduate students. My short professional career has instilled in me a desire to contribute meaningfully to the education and welfare of society. 

Educational and Work Experience: Victor Garcia is pursuing a Doctorate degree in Civil Engineering at UTEP. His research experience and background are mainly concentrated in the characterization of asphalt materials. As a CTIS research associate, he focuses in leading most of the research projects for the specification requirements, and characterization methodologies in the development of asphalt concrete mix designs.

I have been part of CTIS for over twelve years. UTEP provided me the opportunity to get two degrees, establishing a professional career, earn a living and to raise a great family. I continuously collaborate with students at the CTIS, which lets me learn from them. My biggest accomplishment is knowing that I take an active role on the accomplishments of CTIS students. 

Educational and Work Experience: Jose Garibay has a Master's in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso (2007) with over twelve years of work experience in the testing and characterization of soils and pavements.

Past and present work in synthesis and processing ultra high tempeture ceramics and boride-carbide composites with rare earths and their chemical interactions. 

Educational and Work Experience: Dr. Shantha Kumar has a PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering from the University at El Paso (2015) with a background in Mechanical Engineering and research experience in Materials for extreme environments.

Since 2014 UTEP has given me the opportunity to get my masters education, to gain valuable professional experience, first as a coordinator for the REU program and as a Master Research Assistant in Cyber-Share in the CS department, and now as a Research Associate at the CTIS in Civil Engineering.

I am often asked why I chose UTEP/El Paso and it is because of two reasons: I wanted to study in the United States where technology is more advanced. The second reason is I wanted to be close to my family. I enjoy the bicultural and border city that is El Paso.

I conduct planning activities as collecting, updating, and reporting data required to develop/maintain both long and short range transportation programs besides developing a financial transportation plan with the latest planning assumptions.

Educational and Work Experience: Raquel Lopez has a Master of Science in Information Technology from The University of Texas at El Paso (2015) with years of experience in data analysis, information systems, and planning processes of transportation projects.