INTEGRATED STEM EDUCATION RESEARCH CENTER

ISERC Leadership Team

Crittenden, Kelly – Ph.D. – Director

Office: BOGH 256
Phone: 318.257.2714
Fax: 318.257.2562
Email: kellyc@latech.edu
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Details
Areas of Responsibility: Coordinator for Ph.D. Engineering Education, Program Chair for Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Kelly Crittenden is an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering. He joined the College as a faculty member in 2001 and holds the Harrelson Family Endowed Professorship in engineering. Kelly’s primary research areas are engineering education and product design, with a focus on curriculum development and additive manufacturing. Dr. Crittenden is a founding member of Louisiana Tech University’s Integrated STEM Education Research Center (ISERC) and served as ISERC’s director for two years. Dr. Crittenden has helped create multiple STEM-based curricula and outreach programs, including TechSTEP, Cyber Discovery, and Living with the Lab. Dr. Crittenden primarily teaches courses in measurements, prototyping, and product design. Kelly has served as a critical proponent for adding digital manufacturing and prototyping to the learning options for Louisiana Tech’s students and has been a crucial member in creating multiple prototyping lab spaces at Louisiana Tech University. Dr. Crittenden is the Program Chair for Mechanical Engineering and the Coordinator for the College’s Engineering Education Ph.D. concentration. His web presence can be found at http://www2.latech.edu/~kellyc.

Turner, Galen – Ph.D. – Associate Director

Office: NETH 121
Phone: 318.257.2161
Fax: 318.257.2562
Email: gturner@latech.edu
Department: Mathematics and Statistics
Details
Areas of Responsibility: Maxfield Professor of Mathematics and Statistics

Dr. Galen Turner received his B.S. from Loyola University (New Orleans) with majors in Mathematics and Religious Studies in 1992. He continued his studies in Mathematics at Louisiana State University, where he earned his M.S. in Mathematics in 1994 and his Ph.D. in 1999. He has spent the last nineteen years at Louisiana Tech University, where he is the Maxfield Professor of Mathematics and Statistics and conducts Research in graph theory, combinatorics, and cyber-security. He served as the inaugural program chair for Cyberspace Science & Engineering (2007-2012) and facilitated the creation of the first Bachelor of Science in Cyber Engineering in the United States. He also served as Associate Dean of Graduate Studies for the College of Engineering and Science (2008-2012). Over his career, Dr. Turner has influenced mathematics education at the university, regional, and national levels. He has been a leader in Louisiana Tech’s Integrated Engineering Curriculum. He has been very involved with university and professional development for K-12 teachers, especially those integrating student discovery experiences. Dr. Turner also served as the Chief Academic Officer for the National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center (now Cyber.org), a division of the Cyber Innovation Center, where he led the national expansion of the Cyber Discovery project. He is Academic Director for Computer Science, Cyber Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.

Corbett, Krystal – Ph.D.

Office: IESB 133
Phone: 318.257.2422
Fax: 318.257.2562
Email: kcorbett@latech.edu
Department: First-Year Project-Based Learning, Mechanical Engineering
Areas of Responsibility: Lecturer, Program Chair

Derosa, Pedro – Ph.D.

Office: Engineering Annex 217 | IFMM 216
Phone: 318.257.5139
Fax: 318.257.3823
Email: pderosa@latech.edu
Department: Molecular Science and Nanotechnology, Nanosystems Engineering, Physics
Areas of Responsibility: Professor of Molecular Science and Nanotechnology, Nanosystems Engineering and Physics

Dr. Pedro Derosa is a physics professor and currently serving as the Physics Program Chair. He holds the Elizabeth Nobles Larson, Clarence N. Larson, and Andrew M. Larson Professorship #1. Dr. Derosa received his undergraduate degree of licenciado (equivalent to B.S.+M.S) in 1993 and his Ph.D. from the National University of Córdoba in Argentina in 1997. Between 2004 and 2017, Dr. Derosa was a Joint Faculty with Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University. During this period, both universities simultaneously granted (and through independent evaluation processes) tenure and promotion to Associate Professor in 2010 and Professor in 2016. Dr. Derosa received the Annual Award for Teaching from the National University of Córdoba in 1994 and the IBM/Löwdin Fellowship Award from IBM/University of Florida in 2001. A teacher’s award in 2004, the Award for Outstanding Achievements in 2011, the Innovative Education Award in 2012, the COES Research Award in 2017, the Diversity Leadership Award in 2018, and the Senate Chair Award in 2020, all at Louisiana Tech. In addition, he received the Certificate of Excellence for outstanding performance and Research in 2014 at Grambling State University. Dr. Derosa has published 47 peer-reviewed articles, three book chapters, and edited a book. He has delivered 43 invited talks and contributed to 136 conference presentations. He has been PI in federal grants for $858,000 and co-PI for $1,435,000, in addition to $530,000 in state funding. He was also a part of two of the $20M collaborative agreements between NSF and several Universities in Louisiana, serving as campus PI at Grambling.

Apter-Desselles, Marita (Mitzi) – Ph.D.

Office: WOOH 217B
Phone: 318.257.2361
Fax: 318.257.3442
Email: mdessell@latech.edu
Department: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
Areas of Responsibility: Industrial-Organizational Psychology; Coordinator for the Ph.D. Program in I-O Psychology

Dr. Desselles is a Professor, a member of the core faculty of Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and a faculty lead for AROS (Applied Research for Organizational Solutions). AROS is the consulting group within the I-O Psychology doctoral program that aims to provide students with applied experience and fund research activities. She also holds the Chester Ellis Endowed Chair in Education and serves as Coordinator for the doctoral program in I-O Psychology. Dr. Desselles earned her Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, M.A. from the University of Richmond, and B.S. from Louisiana State University. She has devoted her career to demystifying why people do what they do. Starting from the premise posited by reversal theory that people are essentially paradoxical, her work has examined the rational and emotional factors underlying behavior. Her research applies reversal theory to organizational issues, including leadership, work engagement, and undergraduate engineering retention. Dr. Desselles teaches graduate-level psychology courses in research methods and organizational psychology and has extensive experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Hall, David E. – Ph.D.

Office: IESB 120
Phone: 318.257.4127
Fax: 318.257.2562
Email: dhall@latech.edu
Department: Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology
Details
Areas of Responsibility: Academic Director of Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, and Mechanical Engineering, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, James F. Naylor, Jr. Endowed Professor

Dr. David Hall spends at least half of his time supporting educational efforts in the College. A firm believer that applications provide the glue that allows fundamental topics to stick, his passion is incorporating applications and projects in his courses. He is the primary architect and manager of Louisiana Tech’s “Living with the Lab” first-year engineering experience, which uses “student-owned” labs to boost hands-on learning. Starting with a pilot group of 23 students in 2002 and with funding from an NSF Phase II CCLI grant, Living with the Lab now provides a foundational engineering experience for all engineering majors. Since 2006, 16 faculty members have taught 257 Living with the Lab course sections with combined enrollments of 7,340 students. David is a versatile instructor who has taught 22 courses in his 19 years at Louisiana Tech. With a research background in solid mechanics and computational mechanics, he teaches ENGR 220 (statics & mechanics of materials), MEEN 361 (advanced mechanics of materials), MEEN 497 (finite element analysis for engineers) as well as MEEN 350 (computer-aided modeling). David’s Research in recent years has focused on educational innovations and trenchless technology applications. He holds the James F. Naylor, Jr. Professorship in Mechanical Engineering and won the prestigious F. Jay Taylor Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2006. His extensive web presence is at http://www2.latech.edu/~dehall/.

Hilton, Ethan C. – Ph.D.

Office: BOGH 257
Phone: 318.257.2483
Email: ehilton@latech.edu
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Areas of Responsibility: Assistant Professor

Dr. Ethan Hilton has been an assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering since September 2019. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana Tech and his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, focusing on Engineering Design Methodology and Engineering Education. As a member of ISERC, Dr. Hilton’s primary research area is engineering design education, which emphasizes developing prototyping skills through class-based projects, extra-curricular clubs, competitions, and activities. His work includes equipping students with these skills in lower-level courses to be utilized in upper-level courses to create a more impactful learning experience. Dr. Hilton has also researched the inclusion of hand-drawn sketches in engineering design and how designers use them to generate ideas and visual communication, especially when it involves the skill to create quick and realistic representations of their ideas.

Hollins, Bryant – Ph.D.

Office: IESB 229
Phone: 318.257.5236
Email: bhollins@latech.edu
Department: Biomedical Engineering
Areas of Responsibility: Lecturer

Hollins received his Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Louisiana Tech in 2012. He is a steering committee member of the Louisiana Tech Grand Challenge Scholars Program and has mentored several Grand Challenge scholars at Louisiana Tech. He also served as a faculty mentor for Alpha Eta Mu Beta’s (the biomedical engineering honor society) national MINDS program. He teaches courses throughout the curriculum at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He is primarily interested in engineering education, focusing on increasing participation in STEM among underrepresented groups.

Reis, Louis – Ph.D.

Office: IESB 233
Phone: 318.257.2954
Fax: 318.257.2562
Email:  lgreis@latech.edu
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Areas of Responsibility: Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Louis Reis is a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University. He graduated from Tech with two B.S. degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering and later earned his M.S. in Microsystems Engineering and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. He has been teaching at Louisiana Tech University since 2014. He primarily teaches the freshmen engineering ENGR 12x sequence and Living with the Lab and the sophomore engineering sequence ENGR 22x, which covers statics and mechanics, circuits, and thermodynamics.

Louis currently works with ISERC on projects promoting active learning in engineering courses traditionally delivered as lectures. He also collaborates with members from CBERS and the IfM at Tech, researching microfluidic devices for various biological and chemical applications.

Swanbom, Michael – Ph.D., P.E.

Office: BOGH 239
Phone: 318.257.3908
Fax: 318.257.2562
Email:  mswanbom@latech.edu
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Details
Areas of Responsibility: Distinguished Lecturer

Dr. Michael Swanbom is a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering who teaches first- and second-year student engineering classes and has recently taken primary responsibility for MEEN 361 (Advanced Mechanics of Materials) and MEEN 462 (Machine Element Design). He also co-developed a senior-level course in Mechatronics with Heath Tims. Mike has a passion for curriculum development, including using novel and technologically rich methods of instruction. He was closely involved in developing the first-year curriculum Living With the Lab (led by David Hall). Mike enjoys hands-on projects and harnessing novel tooling to streamline the process of prototyping new ideas. These interests have been employed considerably in his support of the Louisiana Tech Eco-marathon team. He was recently elected as the 2014-2015 President of the University Senate.

Tims, Heath – Ph.D.

Office: IESB 101D
Phone: 318.257.3770
Fax: 318.257.4630
Email: htims@latech.edu
Department: Undergraduate Studies, Mechanical Engineering
Details
Areas of Responsibility: Associate Dean, Associate Professor

Dr. Heath Tims is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University and holds the endowed Cajun Contractors Professorship. He is also the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies for the College of Engineering and Science. He received his B.S. degree from Louisiana Tech University and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. He teaches upper-level Mechanical Engineering courses, including Computer-Aided Modeling, which utilizes the software needed for prototyping and marketing, and Dynamic Systems and Mechatronics, which involves mechanical and electrical component integration. In addition to his teaching experience, Dr. Tims worked from 2001 until 2006 in a research and prototyping facility at the University of Texas, where he played a pivotal role in developing numerous prototypes for industrial companies. While at Louisiana Tech, Dr. Tims has focused primarily on engineering education and multidisciplinary collaborative projects. He has been one of the lead faculty on the NASA-Threads (physics) K12 curriculum, the Cyber Discovery camp, the Studies in Cyberspace honors course, and the high school Cyber Science course. Most recently, he led the effort on the newly funded STEM-Discovery program. These successful education initiatives have not only had a significant regional impact but have garnered the attention of federal agencies. Heath turned his passion for mechatronics, teaching, creativity, and competition into something that has brought a superb learning experience to students and tremendous national recognition to Louisiana Tech. He has extended learning well beyond the regular classroom by initiating and supporting a student design and prototyping activity known as the Louisiana Tech Eco-marathon team. He uses the Eco-marathon as a hands-on project that serves as an apprenticeship model for mentoring students. Heath has been active in service throughout the college, university, and the community. He has served as the University Senate President and is a member of the Athletics Council. He has served on several college leadership and strategic planning teams and as the faculty advisor for Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma. Heath has received numerous Engineering and Science Foundation awards for Outstanding Service and was recently selected by the graduating senior class for the Outstanding Faculty Award. The University Senate awarded Heath the Virgil Orr Junior Faculty Award in 2012 for his teaching, Research, and service to Louisiana Tech. Heath’s web page is at http://www2.latech.edu/~htims/.

Weiss, Leland – Ph.D.

Office: BOGH 253A
Phone: 318.257.5113
Fax: 318.257.2562
Email: lweiss@latech.edu
Department: Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Institute for Micromanufacturing, Molecular Science and Nanotechnology, Nanosystems Engineering
Details
Areas of Responsibility: Director, Associate Professor

Dr. Leland Weiss is the Interim Director of Mechanical and Civil Engineering & Construction Engineering Technology, the Thurman Lauret Professor, and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Weiss has been at Louisiana Tech since 2008 and is the Director of Tech’s Grand Challenge Scholars Program. Dr. Weiss is an NSF CAREER Award winner and directs and operates the IFM Efficiency and Scalable Devices research lab. Dr. Weiss has also worked for several years at Caterpillar, Inc.  Dr. Weiss has active collaborations with industry and K-12 education professionals. These include efforts to utilize the Grand Challenges as STEM-based learning opportunities in the afterschool education environment. Dr. Weiss’s web page is at http://www2.latech.edu/~lweiss.

Adjunct Faculty

Orr, Marisa – Ph.D.

Email: marisak@clemson.edu

Dr. Marisa Orr is an Assistant Professor of Engineering and Science Education with a joint appointment in Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University. She received an NSF CAREER Award while working at Louisiana Tech from 2012 to 2016 and continues collaborating with many ISERC members. Dr. Orr earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and a Certificate of Engineering and Science Education at Clemson University. She spent two years as a postdoc in the School of Engineering Education at Purdue University. Her current research focuses on understanding and enhancing how students make decisions about their significant and daily study habits from the perspective of self-regulated decision-making theory, as well as using institutional data to study students’ curricular progress and pathways. She is particularly interested in how these pathways vary by race, gender, socioeconomic status, and engineering discipline. Dr. Orr has been active in the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) since 2006.