Tomas Martinez Aunon
Major: Material Science and Engineering
Tomas is a senior Materials Science and Engineering student at the University of Florida. Through his research with MONSTER and Silverstein Research Groups, he has gained experience studying microstructure, grain growth, and advanced characterization techniques including SEM, TEM, 4D-STEM, XRD, and FTIR. His skills include materials characterization, failure analysis, CAD, FEA, composite layup, and mechanical testing, with proficiency in MATLAB and SolidWorks. Outside of academics, Tomas works as a lead bike mechanic, combining hands-on problem solving with mechanical knowledge. After graduation, he hopes to apply his materials and engineering background to a career in aerospace failure analysis, advanced manufacturing, or materials engineering.
Fun Fact: Tomas visits his family in Argentina every summer where he spends his time working and helping on the farm.
Isabel Lucia Matias Cruz
Major: Chemical Engineering
Isabel is a senior Chemical Engineering major. In addition to her IPPD project with Duke Energy, she currently works as an undergraduate researcher in the Chemical Engineering department under Dr. Whitney Stoppel. She leads a project that seeks to use Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) to dialyze salts out of silk fibroin solution to create a cGMP-compliant protocol for insect silk solubilization. She also completed an REU in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Kentucky manufacturing and characterizing polymeric membranes with green solvents. Her skills include SEM imaging, contact angle measurements, Python, and experimental design, and she hopes to step into a full-time industry position after graduation.
Fun fact: Isabel is also a member of the Hispanic Student Association’s official dance team Sabor Latino! She also enjoys baking and doing beginner yoga in her free time.
Timothy Grecsek
Major: Environmental Engineering
Timothy Grecsek is a senior environmental engineering student at the University of Florida. Before joining the IPPD team, Timothy worked on several UF undergraduate research programs including testing Polk County leachate quality and hurricane resilience modeling. His time abroad also included research with the Comillas Pontifical University of Madrid, Spain, where he investigated decentralized and municipal level drinking water treatment methods for rural South America. Timothy’s internship with Kimley-Horn gave him technical experience with Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and ArcGIS, as well as professional experience working with clients. After graduation, Timothy hopes to help build sustainable infrastructure through policy development or engineering consulting.
Fun Fact: Timothy is an avid outdoorsman, preferring to spend time hiking Paynes Prairie or tending to his garden (when the Florida Gators aren’t playing, of course).
Braden Mohr
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Braden is a senior mechanical engineering student at the University of Florida. Through his internships at TLC Engineering Solutions and CDM Smith, he gained hands-on experience in HVAC and plumbing design, pump station and pipeline analysis, and thermal-fluid systems. His skills include hydraulic and thermal analysis, mechanical system design, and engineering calculations, along with proficiency in SolidWorks, Ansys, MATLAB, and AutoCAD/Revit. He is also an undergraduate teaching assistant for Thermodynamics and works on the structures subteam for UF’s Swamp Launch Rocket Team. After graduation, Braden hopes to bring his love of design and analysis to a career in aerospace, energy, or HVAC.
Fun fact: Braden enjoys biking, playing basketball, and growing in his faith.
Zoe Silver
Major: Chemical Engineering
Minor: Dance
Zoe is currently in her fifth year at the University of Florida, pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering. Last summer, she completed an R&D internship with PepsiCo, where she gained experience in product and process development. The previous summer, she worked as a Process Engineering Intern with Packaging Corporation of America, gaining hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment.
Zoe constantly seeks out opportunities to combine analytical thinking with creativity and enjoys complementing the technical rigor of chemical engineering with weekly dance classes. She aspires to build a career where she can leverage her technical expertise, creative mind, and strong communication skills to create a meaningful impact on the world.
Fun Fact: Zoe is a certified yoga instructor and teaches classes locally at Yoga Pod in Gainesville, FL!
Max Vu
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Electrical Engineering
Max is a senior mechanical engineering student at the University of Florida. He completed an electrical engineering minor in December of 2025, with a focus on digital logic and microprocessor applications. Max is proficient in a variety of engineering software, including: SolidWorks, Fusion360, and MATLAB. He has been looking for more opportunities to practice mechanical design, fluid analysis, and thermal analysis outside of his studies, which has led him to this IPPD project.
Fun Fact: Max has been member of the UF Cuong Nhu Martial Arts Club since 2024, and he served as its treasurer from 2025 through 2026.