A new highlight video has been produced by our local public television station (KAMU), which features strengths of the group, the department, and its people.
Uncategorized
Detailed MAESTRO Research Overview
Engineering Communications at Texas A&M finally released their “Research Spotlight” on the MAESTRO Lab, which is a nice summary of a small piece of the work being performed by our students.
Click on the image below to watch the new video.
Priscilla Nizio Ho gives a masterful defense of her dissertation on self-adaptive two-phase space radiators
The 13th Ph.D. student to successfully defend a dissertation under Dr. Hartl did so in the early days of June. With her colleagues and family members observing, Priscilla Nizio Ho went toe-to-toe and topic-to-topic with her four committee members, who together represented the worlds of multifunctional materials, advanced thermal systems, and space systems for life support. In the end it was obvious that Priscilla’s understanding of these areas was both deep and broad.
Nizio Ho’s dissertation included aspects of analytical modeling, experimental validation, and high-fidelity 3-D computational analysis (i.e., “The MAESTRO Trifecta”).
Kevin Lieb becomes the 12th MAESTRO Ph.D. student to defend his dissertation
Kevin Lieb has become the 12th student to complete a Ph.D. through the MAESTRO Lab, advised by Dr. Hartl. Kevin’s story started almost a decade ago when he joined the team just after his freshman year as the lab photographer, but grew richer as he then worked for most of his undergraduate years as a paid student researcher.
The traditional “dissertation review,” which can lead to new insights on the overall Ph.D. narrative as figures, paragraphs, and even whole chapters are reconfigured.
[Read more…] about Kevin Lieb becomes the 12th MAESTRO Ph.D. student to defend his dissertation
Another volleyball extravaganza in the books
For the MAESTRO Lab, the Spring 2026 semester ended as every semester does: with a blood, sweat, and tears volleyball tournament (and gathering). With over 60 guests in attendance and ~40 players, this year’s games went well past sundown and eventually under the flood lights.
Former MAESTRO Ph.D. student (and now Army Research Lab collaborator) Dr. Trent White shows us how it’s done, while former Ph.D. student (and now Los Alamos collaborator) Dr. Jacob Mingear looks on in his classic MAESTRO shirt.
[Read more…] about Another volleyball extravaganza in the books
Maddie Haas defends her Ph.D. dissertation on human thermal modeling for spacesuit design
The first MAESTRO Lab defense of 2026 is in the books. Maddie Haas has successfully defended her Ph.D. dissertation entitled “Individualized Computational Human Thermal Modeling for Extravehicular Activity Suit Design.” Now it’s on to Barrios at NASA-JSC to support the critical thermal modeling tasks needed for Artemis and beyond. Congratulations, Maddie!
Just for fun: A “virtual” birthday gift
How does a Ph.D. student researcher who is advancing the art and science of additive manufacturing modeling tell her advisor “Happy 45th birthday!”? She simulates the 3D printing of a shape memory alloy birthday cake. Some results are just too “sweet” to keep to ourselves. Thank you, Adelynn.
Hartl named an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Dr. Darren J. Hartl works to tackle challenging problems at the intersection of aerospace and materials science, earning him the title of Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). As an associate professor and University Professor for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence in Texas A&M University’s Department of Aerospace Engineering, he and his team pursue goals and advancements in aeronautic research.
The honor of Associate Fellow is bestowed upon individuals who have achieved notable advances in engineering or scientific research, or who have rendered exceptional contributions to aeronautical and astronautical technology. This prestigious title is awarded to members who have at least 12 years of professional experience and have received recommendations from their colleagues.
Dr. Hartl poses at the AIAA Associate Fellows Induction Ceremony with his faculty colleagues (and AIAA Fellows; L to R) Bonnie Dunbar, Dimitris Lagoudas, and John Valasek.
Jessica Zamarripa defends her Ph.D. dissertation on liquid metal circuits
To close out the year, Jessica Zamarripa successfully defended her Ph.D. dissertation this December. Jessica has had one of the longest tenures of any student on the MAESTRO team, having started as an undergraduate student after her freshman year. Her work addressed to the deposition of flexible liquid metal-based circuits and the passivation and preparation needed to print such circuits on shape memory alloy substrates.
[Read more…] about Jessica Zamarripa defends her Ph.D. dissertation on liquid metal circuits
Students of the MAESTRO lab win prizes at College of Engineering annual gingerbread house contest
It’s an annual event, but students rarely participate. This year the MAESTRO Lab was the only research team in the college to compete against HR, Research Development, and other similar business units in the annual Christmas “Gingerbread House” contest. After a Hartl edict that “there must be things that move,” the student team came through with a well-received play on Santa’s supersonic sleigh. When the voting was done, “Santa’s Sweet Ride” was named “Most Innovative” and received the 3rd place prize overall.
MAESTRO student Adelynn Belle places in College of Engineering art contest
With more than 40 entries, the 2025 Engineering Art Competition embraced the theme “Engineering Elegance: The Art of Innovation.” The artists represent 12 engineering departments – as well as general engineering – and brought technical thinking to life through creative, artistic expression.
Now in its second year, the competition and art exhibit was spearheaded by Dr. Robert Bishop ’79, vice chancellor and dean of the College of Engineering.
MAESTRO student Adelynn Belle placed 6th out of the 40 entries with her entry entitled “Mach Two-Can”
[Read more…] about MAESTRO student Adelynn Belle places in College of Engineering art contest
Hartl invited to give a research review at the “Centrum Nowoczesności Młyn Wiedzy” in Toruń Poland
In June, Dr. Hartl was honored to be invited to give a talk summarizing some of the MAESTRO Team’s research at the “Center of Modern Times Młyn Wiedzy,” The full talk can be viewed here.
Screenshot