Meet the Team!
Our team members are at the core of what makes neXt such a unique and fulfilling place to work. We take pride in the diversity of our staff, with each member contributing their distinctive skills to the projects we are working on. Scroll down to learn more about them!
Noble C. Anumbe
NigeriaNoble is pursuing his Post-Doc Fellow in Mechanical Engineering. He has prior degrees in Mechanical and Production Engineering from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2001, Oil and Gas Engineering from the Robert Gordon University in 2007, and in Mechanical Engineering from UofSC in 2018. His main focus is in security and blockchain.
Karlee Hart
SC, USAKarlee is neXt research program manager. She got her masters degree in Education, and she is pursuing her PhD in Higher Education
Alex Brasington
Lancaster, SCAlex is pursuing his PhD in Mechanical Engineering. He previously earned his undergraduate in Civil Engineering from UofSC in 2019 and his master’s in Aerospace Engineering from UofSC in 2021. His work involves enabling a closed loop AFP process through incorportion of data across the beginning of life cells. Alex is also a recipient of the NASA SC Space Grant.
Devon Clark
Hallahan, SCDevon is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She is investigating 3D printing manufacturing optimization through remote robot control. Devon is a recipient of the NASA SC Space Grant as well as the Magellan Scholars Research Grant.
Ibrahim Yousif
Cairo, EgyptIbrahim is pursuing his PhD in Mechanical Engineering. He previously earned his bachelor degree in Petroleum Engineering from LSBU in 2018 and his master’s in Mechanical Engineering from USC in 2021. His work involves Autonomous Manufacturing, Digital Transformation and Predictive Maintenance.
Fadi El Kalach
Sidon, LebanonFadi is pursuing his master’s degree in Computer Engineering. Previously, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering from the Lebanese American University in 2019. His current research consists of integrating artificial intelligence into manufacturing processes.
Noah Swingle
Columbia, SCNoah is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He works on adding laminate optimization functions to neXt’s CAPP tool. Specifically, he aims to mitigate defect stacking through the thickness of the laminate to ensure the most uniform part. Noah has received the Magellan Grant, the NASA SC Space Grant, the Student Research Award, and the Honors College SURF Grant.
Teddy Tarekegne
Irmo, SCTeddy is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His current focus is PLC coding and its integration into programming robot paths.
Joshua Halbritter
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Catherine Yokan
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Matthew Godbold
My DesignationMatt is a Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student with a combined 4+ years of internship/research experience. His research helps to bring Industry 4.0 to life for composites manufacturing through AI and digital twin integration.
Benjamin Francis
My DesignationBen is currently a master’s student at the University of South Carolina majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He works as a graduate researcher at the McNAIR Aerospace Center, as part of the neXt team led by Dr. Ramy Harik. His team investigates and produces novel methodologies to advance the future of manufacturing into Industry 4.0 and beyond. My work investigates physics-based process modeling and digital twin strategies for Automated Fiber Placement.
William Montgomery
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Jad Samaha
My DesignationJad is masters student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. He is Graduate Researcher in Smart Manufacturing/Industry 4.0 at McNair Aerospace Research Center. Strong focus on Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Systems.
Philip Samaha
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Victor Gadow
My DesignationVictor is currently a graduate research assistant at the University of South Carolina, working on an M.S. in mechanical engineering. His research is geared toward future factories and industry 4.0 at the McNAIR Aerospace center and will contribute to his thesis. He has experience in the manufacturing field after going through the co-op program at Clemson, working with Bosch in Anderson, SC.
Ian Ross
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Matthew Godbold
Charleston, SCMatthew is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on defect inspection software. Matthew is a recipient of the Dean’s Scholar Award and the NASA SC Space Grant. He is also a Palmetto Fellows Scholar, a Capstone Scholar, and a McNair Junior Fellow.
Wesley Huss
High Point, NCWesley is pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering. His current focus is using Edge computing paired with data analytics to process data generated by robots in the Future Factories cell.
Ian Ross
Chapin, SCIan is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His work consists of data collection, high temperature adaptations of AFP for thermoplastic, defect mitigation/correction and general prototyping.
Drew Sander
Lexington, SCDrew is pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering. His work currently involves drone integration, robot programming, motion capture wiring and soldering, and 3D printer maintenance. He is a recipient of the NASA SC Space Grant.
Tanvi Singh
Irmo, SCTanvi is pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering. She is currently working with website development. Tanvi is a Dean’s Scholar and a Palmetto Fellow.
Clint Saidy
Beqaa Valley, LebanonClint is a Senior Project Manager with neXt. He has previously earned his degrees in Industrial Engineering from the Lebanese American University in 2015, Aerospace Engineering from the University of South Carolina in 2018, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina in 2021. His main contribution is managing research grants and projects.
Roudy Wehbe
LebanonRoudy is pursuing a post-doc in Mechanical Engineering. He earned his bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the Lebanese American University in 2015, master’s in Aerospace Engineering from UofSC in 2017, and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from UofSC in 2020. Roudy works with proposal and technical paper writing as well as advising and research follow ups with grad and undergrad students.
Max Kirkpatrick
Greenville, SCMax is pursuing his master’s in Aerospace Engineering. Previously, he earned his B.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering from UofSC in 2018. He works with robot programming, PLC programming, Siemens software integration, motion capture calibration development, and working with the digital twin.
Luis Bahamonde
Kaishu Xia
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Christopher Sacco
My DesignationChris is working to integrate ML into aerospace manufacturing. Research interests include automated inspection, data efficient ML, and data driven process characterization.
Yang Shi
My DesignationYang is Skilled in programing with Python, Matlab, and C++. He is Familiar with optimal control, convex optimization, nonlinear optimization, trajectory optimization, motion planning, numerical optimization, model predictive control, robotics manipulation, machine learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, data structure and algorithms. He has solid knowledge in mechanical, mathematical, physics, kinematics, scientific programing, and process engineering.
Anis Baz Radwan
My DesignationAnis is solution oriented and efficient engineer, with a broad spectrum of engineering experience in mechanical design, electromechanical assemblies, additive manufacturing technologies, 3D printing, design for manufacturing, composite materials, research and development of new products, process optimization, programming, data acquisition and analysis. During his career he has worked in several industry sectors in multiple countries as well as in research and academia.
Benjamin Greenberg
My DesignationBen is working at Nephron Pharmaceuticals as the Director of Engineering. He is now responsible for the Engineering department at Nephron pharmaceuticals managing the teams, all automation and machinery at Nephron, including BFS (Blow fill seal), secondary packaging machines, automation integration, medical device manufacturing and Cleanroom machines. He owns 5 patents with his business iCreat3d, one of which has sold over 30,000 units in the last few years.