Alumni Stories | Drexel Engineering

School of Engineering alumni are engaged individuals who are making a significant contribution to their companies, the region and the world. We feature our alumni on our website and in our email newsletters. If you or someone you know should be profiled, please contact us at engineering@drexel.edu.

In the Philippines, a Drexel Engineer Puts Community Knowledge at the Center of Coastal Resilience
4/28/2026 12:00:00 AM
Fulbright researcher Alyssa Kemp, BS/MS environmental engineering '25, is working in the Philippines, where she's documenting how residents of three fishing barangays on the island of Mindoro experience disasters, conservation, and preparedness gaps, and bringing those perspectives directly to local government.
Alumna Finds Purpose in the Puzzle of Airport Construction
10/23/2025 12:00:00 AM
Airport construction demands planning, precision and strong teams. Michelle Martucci brings all three to her work, drawing on habits forged through Drexel’s co-op.
Engineering Equity and Building Belonging
4/3/2025 12:00:00 AM
Through advocacy, mentorship, and leadership, Mercado is creating the kind of community she once searched for as an engineering student.
Systems Engineering Program Leads Alum Through Career Change, Job Growth
2/21/2024 11:26:38 AM
Juggling school, work, and family life proved demanding in Blackden’s first quarter, and managing a full course load while holding down a full-time job and new fatherhood pushed him to his limits. Thankfully, Drexel’s online programs allowed him to adjust to a pace that was more suited to his schedule.
Dedication Leads First-Generation Alum from Drexel to Dallas
2/6/2024 12:00:00 AM
A first-generation college student turned nationally-recognized industry leader, Patrick Williams applies the tireless dedications and resilience forged at Drexel to clear new runways for personal and professional success.
Driven by Developing Impactful Solutions, Alumna Excels
1/23/2024 12:20:33 PM
Guiding research and development at major chemical and pharmaceutical firms, Padma Narayan uses innovation to help patients and customers as VP at an emerging biotech startup.
From Inquisitive to Innovation: Alum Looks Back on a Lifetime of Engineering
9/27/2023 1:40:35 PM
When John was 13 he was a HAM radio operator solidifying his interest in electrical engineering. Drexel being a city school offered him a change of pace and the opportunity to take advantage of Drexel's co-op program starting a lifelong career as an engineer.
Guided By Passion for Learning, Alum Grows IMEG's Success
3/27/2023 12:53:55 PM
Paul VanDuyne has used his love of education — and the experience he gained at Drexel — to guide him through career and life changes.
Kerianne Chen ’20 Named Among “New Faces of Civil Engineering” by ASCE
3/3/2023 12:53:16 PM
Kerianna Chen, B.S. civil engineering '20, is now a highway design specialist with Traffic Planning Design Inc., where they continue to serve as a role model for young engineers. They are currently the K-12 outreach chair for the ASCE Philadelphia Sector YMF and a regular volunteer with the Women’s Transportation Seminar’s Philadelphia Transportation YOU mentorship program.
Student, Alumni Earn NSF Graduate Research Recognition
5/24/2022 11:48:14 AM
An engineering PhD student has received the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, and two engineering alumni received Honorable Mentions.
Planetary Protector Moogega Cooper to Deliver Address at College of Engineering Commencement
5/2/2022 1:23:56 PM
Cooper, a master’s and doctoral graduate of Drexel, will receive an honorary degree.
‘Drexel Magazine’ Features Engineering Alumni in ‘40 Under 40’
4/21/2022 8:46:09 AM
Eight Drexel Engineering alumni are featured in Drexel Magazine’s 10th annual “40 Under 40” list.
The Path Home Helped Alumna Become a Trailblazer
3/28/2022 1:18:24 PM
Vanessa Brown-Nedrick’s path to becoming the first Black female owner in Remington & Vernick’s history has more than one stop at Drexel.
Astronaut and Alumnus Christopher Ferguson Elected to U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
3/15/2022 2:10:52 PM
The 1984 Drexel graduate has logged more than 40 days in space across three missions to the International Space Station.
Drexel Engineering Celebrates Remarkable Women Engineers
3/10/2022 1:16:47 PM
In recognition of Women’s History Month, the College of Engineering celebrates women who had made an impact on the College’s past, present and future.
DemoChicks Founder Robin Thorne is Clearing a Path for Women Engineers
3/10/2022 11:40:02 AM
The entrepreneur’s nonprofit has a plan to connect more women to futures in STEM.
Benefactor Looks to Accelerate His Impact
2/2/2022 3:01:00 PM
Joseph Carleone has supported doctoral students for more than a decade. Now, he’s looking to get other alumni involved.
Supporting Doctoral Students is a Family Tradition
1/19/2022 2:38:00 PM
The Koerner Family Fellowship continues the legacy of a longtime Drexel professor.
Keeping the Cosmos Clean, Starting with Mars
6/7/2021 4:37:53 PM
Drexel alumna Moogega Cooper is making sure that humanity’s exploration of space is safe for the planets we visit.
Engineering Alumni Represented in Drexel “40 Under 40”
5/24/2021 10:30:00 AM
Six engineering alumni are featured in Drexel Magazine’s annual “40 Under 40” compendium.
Engineering Trailblazer Anne Stevens ’80 to Address Graduates at College of Engineering Commencement
4/26/2021 2:45:42 PM
Stevens will also receive an honorary degree at the virtual ceremony, which is slated for June 9.
Deep Roots: Alumnus, Professor Collaborate on Remote Crop Monitoring
3/23/2021 1:45:42 PM
Engineering alumnus Dante Sawatzky needed help monitoring temperatures in his apple orchard. ECE researcher Christopher Peters gave him a head start.
Alumnus William Thomsen Elected Delaware Valley Engineer of the Year
3/2/2021 4:21:04 PM
The 1985 master’s alumnus has contributed to projects that have shaped city centers and skylines.
From Engineering to Emmy-Winning Filmmaker
2/23/2021 9:52:50 AM
While his career followed an unusual path, Drexel Engineering alumnus Robert Bahar uses his skills to tell the stories that the world needs to hear.
Firm of Drexel Engineers Lives Where Digital and Analog Meet
12/10/2020 3:58:58 PM
Oat Foundry, a local specialty engineering shop founded by Drexel Engineering alumni, brings old school design aesthetic to a modern world.
An Alternative Clean Water Source in the Face of Climate Change
12/8/2020 8:46:58 AM
Drexel alumnus Bilen Akuzum is using electrochemical technology to make clean water accessible to those whose traditional sources are being affected by climate change.
Building Bridges to Help Women Interested in Engineering
10/15/2020 12:00:00 AM
Civil Engineer Danielle Schroeder earns ASCE service award built on a career of inspiring girls to pursue STEM.
Engineering Represented in Drexel “40 Under 40”
4/13/2020 4:02:00 PM
The group includes 10 alumni from the College of Engineering.
Questions With a 20-Year Co-op Manager: Bob Quaglia
2/20/2020 4:07:00 PM
Bob Quaglia ’86 has been helping to shape the fate of Drexel co-op students, like he once was, as a manager at Woodward McCoach Inc. since 1994.
Questions With a 20-Year Co-op Manager: Bill Waldron Jr.
1/31/2020 2:03:00 PM
Bill Waldron has been managing Drexel engineering co-op students for 25 of the 30 years he’s been with AT&T Mobility. He told DrexelNow about the keys to success for a rewarding co-op.
A Season in the Life of a PhD Student Abroad
11/21/2019 8:23:38 AM
A CoE materials science alumnus finds a new research home pursuing his doctorate at Cambridge University, England.
In a Season of Space Memories, Alum Cliff Hess Has His Own
8/14/2019 10:10:09 AM
Alumni Spotlight: MEM’s Cliff Hess ’66, celebrates his long career with NASA and the space program.
Alumnus James Hing Goes to the White House
7/18/2019 9:19:17 AM
MEM alumnus James Hing, PhD, scores a PECASE award, and shares the credit broadly.
Maverick Alumna’s Grandson Graduates
6/12/2019 2:41:54 PM
The grandson of Drexel’s first woman chemical engineer graduates this week from the College of Engineering.
Jeff Wilcox ’88 is 2019 Engineering Leader of the Year
4/4/2019 9:45:13 AM
Lockheed Martin’s Jeffrey Wilcox gives a rousing speech at ELOY award ceremony.
Alumni Visit Kennedy Space Center
2/15/2019 3:38:00 PM
Drexel alumni visited Kennedy Space Center and heard from retired U.S. Navy captain and former NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson ’84.
Alumnus Tirthak Saha: From India to Drexel to Startup
11/20/2018 2:15:42 PM
Several months after being named one of Forbes Magazine’s “30 Under 30,” alumnus Tirthak Saha founds an energy company of his own.