Faculty Advisors
Dr. Scott W. Wayne – Engineering Faculty Advisor
Dr. Wayne joined the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at West Virginia University in 1997. He has taught and developed course curriculum for several courses, including undergraduate courses in general and mechanical engineering. Dr. Wayne has also co-authored several curriculum development proposals that were submitted to the National Science Foundation. Dr. Wayne also teaches sophomore and junior level mechanical engineering courses including Dynamics and Thermodynamics.
Dr. Wayne’s research interests center around measuring and reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. He presently serves as Director of the Transportable Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions Testing Laboratory at West Virginia University. This one of a kind laboratory travels throughout the Nation measuring the emissions from heavy-duty trucks and buses. Data gathered by this laboratory is used by engine, vehicle and aftertreatment manufactures to evaluate alternative fuels and develop new engine technologies in an effort to reduce environmental pollution as well as by state and federal agencies to set regulations limiting the emissions from mobile sources.
Dr. Diana Knott Martinelli (Outreach Faculty Advisor)
Dr. Martinelli joined the journalism faculty at WVU in the fall of 2005. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the P.I. Reed School of Journalism in 1985 and 1995, respectively. After nearly 15 years of professional public relations and communications work in broadcasting, health care and national government programs, she was awarded a Park Fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she completed her Ph.D. in mass communication in 2001.
In addition to teaching advanced public relations and graduate research courses at WVU, Martinelli has taught and developed public relations courses at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Elon University and Ohio University. While at Ohio, she received the prestigious University Professor teaching award and advised the school’s national award-winning Public Relations Student Society of America chapter.
Engineering Team
Zach Cohen – Engineering Team Leader
Zach is a senior mechanical engineering student from Wantagh, New York. In addition to his duties as team leader, he works with the mototron portion of the WVU EcoCAR team. In his spare time, Zach enjoys playing guitar, snowboarding and working out. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in engineering sales or design, with the goal of quickly becoming involved in management.
Nathan Levine – Team Radar
Nathan is a senior mechanical engineering student from Wilmington, Delaware. He works as the WVU EcoCAR Team Radar. In his spare time, Nathan enjoys playing sports with his friends. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, he plans to travel and work.
Keith Earl
Keith is a senior mechanical and aerospace engineering student from Mannington, West Virginia. He works with the VECTOR portion of the WVU EcoCAR team and serves as the team’s treasurer. In his spare time, Keith enjoys hunting, fishing and being the treasurer for the WVU Society of Mechanical Engineers. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011.
Michael Houle
Michael is a senior mechanical engineering student from Falling Waters, West Virginia. He works with the CAD/FEA and exhaust treatment portions of the WVU EcoCAR team. In his spare time, Michael enjoys high powered guns and free energy systems. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, he plans to get his welding certification and do his own research for efficient engines.
Joseph Daniels
Joseph is a senior mechanical engineering student from Reston, Virginia. He works with the Mototron portion of the WVU EcoCAR team. In his spare time, Joseph enjoys outdoors activities such as hiking, snowboarding and lacrosse. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in the Washington, D.C. area.
Sean Cronin
Sean is a senior mechanical engineering student from North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He works with the VECTOR and air intake/intercooler redesign portions of the WVU EcoCAR team. In his spare time, Sean enjoys hockey, golf and snowboarding. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school.
James Ludovici
James is a senior mechanical engineering student from Morgantown, West Virginia. He works with the after-treatment portion of the WVU EcoCAR team. In his spare time, James enjoys restoring vintage cars. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, he plans to find work in the automotive industry.
Zach Kamen
Zach is a senior mechanical engineering student from Williamstown, New Jersey. He works with the VECTOR and Simulink portion of the WVU EcoCAR team. In his spare time, Zach enjoys skiing, surfing and playing guitar. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school to obtain an M.B.A.
Seth Hipkins
Seth is a senior mechanical engineering student from Middletown, Maryland. He is the lead design for the fuel system of the WVU EcoCAR team. In his spare time, Seth enjoys fishing, cooking and hiking. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school to further his education in mechanical engineering.
Ralph “R.J.” Hardt
Ralph is a senior mechanical engineering student from Mars, Pennsylvania. He works with the Mototron and Simulink portions of the WVU EcoCAR team. In his spare time, Ralph enjoys playing golf and skiing. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, he plans to enter graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh to obtain an M.B.A.
Alex Dembski
Alex is a senior mechanical engineering student from Potomac, Maryland. He works with the Mototron portion of the WVU EcoCAR team. In his spare time, Alex enjoys kayaking, rock climbing, paintball, road racing and autocross. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, he plans to join the work force.
Thomas Heller
Thomas is a senior mechanical engineering student from Moorestown, New Jersey. He works with the CAD/FEA portion of the WVU EcoCAR team. In his spare time, Thomas enjoys playing hockey, hanging out with friends and family, playing video games and watching television. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, he plans to enter the mechanical engineering field specializing in design and manufacturing processes.
Graduate Research Assistant
Zhenhua Zhu – Engineering Graduate Research Assistant
Zhenhua Zhu is a graduate mechanical engineering student helping out with the EcoCAR competition. He is originally from China, where he went to Donghua University in Shanghai China majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Zhenhua enjoys football and soccer in his free time.
Outreach Team
Nick Cavender – Outreach Coordinator
Nick is a first year graduate student at the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism and is from Dunbar, West Virginia. He is the outreach coordinator for the WVU EcoCAR team. In his spare time, Nick enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching television and playing sports, especially baseball. He is expected to graduate in May of 2012. After graduation, he plans to enter the public relations industry and eventually earn a doctorate.
Cate Mihelic – Communications Liaison
Cate is a first year graduate student at the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism and is from Shinnston, West Virginia. She is the communications liaison for the WVU EcoCAR outreach team. In her spare time, Cate enjoys watching The Office and Mad Men. She is expected to graduate in May of 2012. After graduation, she plans to enter the public relations industry and eventually earn a Ph.D.
Kristen Wishon – Design Leader
Kristen is a first year graduate student at the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism and is from South Charleston, West Virginia. She is a member of the WVU EcoCAR outreach team. Kristen also works as an advising Graduate Assistant for the journalism school. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as watching television. She is expected to graduate in May of 2012. After graduation, she plans to find a job in the museum industry.
Katie Stone
Katie is a senior public relations student at the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism and is from Collegeville, Pennsylvania. She is a member of the WVU EcoCAR outreach team. In her spare time, Katie a member of the WVU Women’s Rowing Team and PRSSA. She is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, she plans to enter the public relations industry.
Stacie Aliff
Stacie is a senior public relations student at the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism and is from Bridgeport, West Virginia. She is a member of the WVU EcoCAR outreach team. In her spare time, Stacie enjoys swimming, reading and being with family and friends. She is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, she plans to enroll in the IMC graduate program at WVU and enter the public relations industry.
Breanne Hill
Breanne is a junior public relations student at the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism and is from Morgantown, West Virginia. She is a member of the WVU EcoCAR outreach team. In her spare time, Breanne enjoys violin, writing and blogging. She is expected to graduate in May of 2012. After graduation, she plans to enroll in the IMC graduate program at WVU.
Amy Bergstresser
Amy is a senior marketing student at the College of Business and Economics and is from Collegeville, Pennsylvania. She is a member of the WVU EcoCAR outreach team. In her spare time, Amy enjoys watching the Philadelphia Phillies and listening to music. She is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school or enter the workforce in the field of marketing.
Dan Bernardo
Dan is a senior marketing student at the College of Business and Economics and is from Harleysville, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the WVU EcoCAR outreach team. In his spare time, Dan enjoys sports, social media and writing. He is expected to graduate in May of 2011. After graduation, he plans to obtain a marketing job in social media.
