The College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing at Catholic University

05/29/2026

We are proud to recognize Melissa Kane and Carina Alden, students in the Applied Space Weather Research (ASWR) master’s program within the College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing, for their contributions to NASA’s Moon to Mars Space Weather Analysis Office (M2M SWAO).

As full-time space weather analysts, Melissa and Carina supported NASA’s Artemis II mission through operational space weather analysis, data acquisition, and space weather modeling efforts that help safeguard human spaceflight missions.

Their work directly supports NASA’s continued efforts in lunar exploration and future missions to Mars, demonstrating the critical role of engineering, applied physics, and space weather science in modern aerospace operations.

Through the ASWR program, directed by Dr. Vadim Uritsky, these students have gained advanced knowledge in heliophysics, atmospheric science, and space weather forecasting while contributing to real-world research and mission operations.

We congratulate Melissa and Carina on their outstanding achievement and are proud to see our students contributing to the future of space exploration.

Read the full article below to learn more about their work with NASA: https://engineering.catholic.edu/news-and-events/2026/05/cepc-students-support-nasas-artemis-ii-mission.html

05/28/2026

Catholic University Joins Prestigious Space Research Consortium

On May 18, 2026, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) officially elected The Catholic University of America as a member institution in its prestigious consortium.

Founded in 1969, USRA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing space science, technology, and engineering through federally funded research, scientific institutes, educational programs, and university partnerships.

To be eligible for this consortium, an institution must demonstrate significant faculty contributions to space or aerospace research, along with a strong commitment to doctoral education and dissertation research in related fields.

Catholic University’s strong academic foundation in physics, engineering, and computer science, combined with its commitment to space science, positioned it as an ideal candidate for USRA membership. The University’s selection aligns with its continued focus on research excellence, innovation, and collaboration.

The University has a long history of contributions to space science stemming from the Department of Physics, with strengths in heliophysics, astrophysics, and planetary science. Through its Institute for Astrophysics and Computational Sciences (IACS), the University has partnered with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center since the mid-1990s. This collaboration has included participation in major cooperative programs such as the Partnership for Heliophysics and Space Environment Research (PHaSER) and the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology II (CRESST II), supporting research in heliophysics, astronomy, planetary science, and high-energy astrophysics.

The College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing looks forward to building new partnerships and collaborations through membership in the USRA consortium to help drive future advances in space science, as well as in engineering, physics, and computing more broadly.

To learn more, click here: https://newsroom.usra.edu/universities-space-research-association-welcomesthe-catholic-university-of-america-to-its-prestigious-consortium/

Washington, D.C., – May 26, 2026. The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) elected The Catholic University of America (CUA) as a member institution officially on May 18, 2026, bringing USRA's  membership to 124 institutions.The eligibility criteria for USRA membership include demonstrat...

05/27/2026

Advancing Biological Imaging with Gold Nanoparticles

In May 2026, Ryan Baugher earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Engineering for his dissertation, titled “Gold Nanoparticles Compared to Fluorophores as Labels for Biological Imaging Assays.” His work was directed by Christopher Raub, Ph.D.

Baugher’s research explores how scientists can improve the way cells and disease markers are visualized in the lab. Traditional imaging techniques often rely on fluorescent labels, which can fade over time and struggle to stand out against natural background signals in biological tissues.

To address these challenges, he investigated the use of gold nanoparticles as an alternative labeling method. Through a combination of laboratory experiments and computational modeling, he compared how nanoparticles and fluorophores perform when imaging human cells, focusing on signal clarity and reliability.

His findings show that gold nanoparticles can produce stronger, more stable signals with higher signal-to-noise ratios, making them promising for certain imaging applications. However, their performance varies depending on size and cellular target, and they can be less effective for capturing fine, detailed structures deep in cells’ interior regions. His work also highlights opportunities to improve computational models—potentially using deep learning—to better predict and analyze imaging results.

These insights help advance more accurate and reliable biological imaging techniques, with potential applications in diagnostics, research, and the study of disease at the cellular level.

05/27/2026

Meet the Future of Innovation🎓

Over the coming weeks, we are proud to spotlight twelve doctoral graduates from the 2025–2026 academic year at the College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing.

From cutting-edge technologies to transformative research, these scholars are advancing knowledge and driving innovation across disciplines. Through their research profiles, you’ll get an inside look at the impactful work they are contributing to academia, industry, and society.

Stay tuned as we share their stories, discoveries, and achievements.

05/20/2026

Check out graduating engineering student Meghan Murray showcasing her team’s Senior Design Capstone Project: a newly designed drop-off bin for donations to Campus Ministry’s Cardinal Closet in McMahon Hall. The bin includes an electronic sensor that alerts staff when it is full, helping streamline the collection and processing of donated clothing items.

Meghan participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 12, 2026, celebrating the project’s installation and impact. The project team also included students Paolo Gonzales, Hamad Alturki, and Mohamed Abdi, under the guidance of faculty advisor Dr. Rebecca Kiriazes from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The multidisciplinary Senior Design Capstone Project is an integral component of our students’ academic experience. It is inspiring to see students bring their ideas to life through innovative designs that make a meaningful impact on campus while fostering future creativity and collaboration.

Learn more about the Senior Design Capstone Project: https://engineering.catholic.edu/student-experience/senior-design23/index.html

📸 Image by Patrick G. Ryan, University Photographer.

05/11/2026

Dr. George Nehmetallah, Ordinary Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, served as chair of the Digital Holography and 3D Imaging 2025 conference and lead editor of the conference’s accompanying feature issue.

The conference and publication were a collaborative effort between Applied Optics (AO), Biomedical Optics Express (BOEx), and the Journal of the Optical Society of America A (JOSA A). Published in conjunction with the annual meeting, the feature highlights recent advances in digital holography and 3D imaging research.

Topics covered include quantitative phase imaging, digital holographic microscopy, LIDAR-integrated systems, AI-driven reconstruction and denoising methods, and emerging applications in biomedical imaging, nanoscale inspection, and advanced 3D display technologies.

In addition to serving as lead editor, Dr. Nehmetallah contributed to multiple papers included in the publication. The collection, which includes links to his authored works, can be accessed here: https://opg.optica.org/ao/virtual_issue.cfm?vid=687&utm_term=2026&utm_campaign=aoboexjosaadigitalholographyfiAnnouncement&utm_content=may&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=featureissueannouncement

The College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing is proud to showcase the ongoing research contributions of our faculty members across a range of disciplines, as well as the leadership roles they hold in the field.

For more information on Dr. George Nehmetallah and his research, please visit: https://engineering.catholic.edu/research-and-faculty/faculty-profiles/eecs/nehmetallah-george/index.html

05/07/2026

Exciting news from the College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing at The Catholic University of America.

Seven faculty projects have received support through the University Innovation Fund, advancing research in areas including AI, quantum computing, biomedical engineering, energy systems, nuclear physics, and social impact research.

This latest round of funding includes interdisciplinary collaboration across multiple departments and schools, highlighting the innovative work happening across the University.

From AI reskilling initiatives and next-generation nuclear physics pipelines to wearable healthcare technology and quantum computing research, these projects reflect the breadth and impact of faculty scholarship at Catholic University.

Read the full article to see all funded projects and faculty collaborators: https://engineering.catholic.edu/news-and-events/2026/05/cepc-faculty-awarded-university-innovation-fund-grants.html

The College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing at The Catholic University of America has received new internal funding for seven faculty-led projects through the University& #8217;s Innovation Fund. This support includes twelve CEPC faculty members across five departments, highlighting the Co...

05/05/2026

On May 4, 2026, the College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing hosted its 18th Annual Senior Design Day at the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center. Senior design teams presented their capstone projects to an audience of faculty, staff, alumni, employers, and fellow students, highlighting the culmination of a year of research, design, and innovation. Each team delivered an oral presentation, with projects evaluated by College faculty and judged for first, second, and third place honors.

Following the presentations, attendees gathered for a poster session, where students engaged in in-depth discussions about their work and shared insights into their design processes. Many reflected on the challenges they encountered throughout the year and how they overcame them to achieve their project goals. Several teams also showcased working prototypes, offering live demonstrations that brought their designs to life.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony, where Dean J. Steven Brown recognized the outstanding achievements of the seniors and commended them for their dedication and perseverance. He also acknowledged the faculty advisors, instructors, corporate sponsors, donors, and staff whose support made this event possible.

First Place was awarded to the “Radar Testbed with Synthetic Aperture Radar” team: Sean Morgenstern (ECE), Harrison Blahunka (ECE), Joseph Sypal (CS), and Michael Short (ME). Advisors: Dr. Sergio Picozzi and Prof. Kevin Russo.

Second Place was awarded to the “2026 AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition” team: Mike Tyszko (CE), William Granci (CE), Andrew Holtzman (CE), Richard Suchyta (CE), Tyler-Jade Chandler (CE), and Serena Tewoldeberhan (CE). Advisor: Dr. Jason Davison.

Third Place was awarded to the “A Sensor-Integrated Scoliosis Reconfiguration Device for Compliance Tracking” team: Maysoon Obeid (BE), Emma Wallace (BE), Anastasia Rao (BE), and Ethan Justin Reyes (BE). Advisors: Andreas Widmer and Brian Walsh.

This year’s event was a great success, showcasing the talent, creativity, and determination of the College’s graduating seniors as they prepare to enter the workforce and contribute across industries. We look forward to seeing their continued success and future achievements.

Learn more by visiting the Senior Design Day 2026 event page: https://engineering.catholic.edu/student-experience/senior-design23/senior-design-26/index.html

04/30/2026

On April 12, 2026, students from the College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing represented The Catholic University of America at the Collegiate Robotic Football Conference National Championship, hosted by Ohio Northern University.

A team of 11 students traveled to Ada, Ohio with Dr. Jeffrey Herrmann, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and faculty advisor to the Robotics Club. They joined forces with midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy to compete against top robot football teams from across the country. The team faced University of Notre Dame and later collaborated with students from other universities for a matchup against Calvin University.

The national championship brought together collegiate teams in a high-energy, elimination-style tournament where engineering, strategy, and teamwork were put to the test.

This experience gave students valuable hands-on learning in robotics and competition, highlighting the impact of applied engineering in real-world settings.

04/24/2026

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, in partnership with the Center for Academic and Career Success (CACS), students from the College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing had the opportunity to tour the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metro Integrated Command and Communications Center (MICC) in Alexandria, Virginia.

Students traveled via Metro from the Brookland–CUA station, located just off campus, directly to the MICC. During the tour, they explored the systems, processes, and responsibilities managed at the Command Center, including how staff monitor and coordinate the rail system in real time, respond to incidents, and manage service operations.

Following the tour, students attended a presentation and Q&A session with Metro professional staff, where they learned more about their work, experiences, and career paths. This session also provided an opportunity for students to network and build professional connections.

The experience offered a valuable, real-world perspective on how large, complex public transportation systems operate, as well as insight into the wide range of career opportunities within and around the industry.

Thank you to WMATA, Metro, and CACS for facilitating this opportunity for our students. The College looks forward to continued partnerships and future collaborations.