Key Personnel

Dr. Constatine Tarawneh

Constantine Tarawneh, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator
Associate Dean for Research, COEC
Director, University Transportation Center for Railway Safety
Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Email: constantine.tarawneh@utrgv.edu
Office: (956) 665-2607

  • Expertise: Experimental Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics, Thermal and Dynamic Analysis of Railroad Bearings, and Acoustics and Vibrations.
  • Numerous Journal Papers in Vibration and Thermal Analyses of Railroad Bearings;
  • 11 Years of Experience Conducting Railroad Research.

 

Dr. Robert Jones

 

Robert E. Jones, Ph.D.

Co-Principal Investigator
Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Email: robert.jones@utrgv.edu
Office: (956) 665-5010

  • Expertise: Deformation and Fracture Behavior of Engineering Materials, specifically Polymers and Composites, Materials and Product Testing, Natural Fiber Based Composites (Kenaf).
  • 10 Years of Experience Conducting Railroad Research

 

Dr. Stephen Crown

 

Dr. Stephen W. Crown, Ph.D.

Co-Principal Investigator
Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Email: stephen.crown@utrgv.edu
Office: (956) 665-5015

  • Expertise: Applied Thermodynamics, HVAC, and Measurements and Instrumentation.
  • Projects involved in: Load Sensor Development and Hydraulic Damper System.
  • 8 Years of Experience Conducting Railroad Research

 

Dr. Arturo Fuentes

 

Dr. Arturo A. Fuentes, Ph.D.

Co-Principal Investigator
Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Email: arturo.fuentes@utrgv.edu
Office: (956) 665-7099

  • Expertise: Finite Element Analysis, Vibration Analysis, and Nano-Reinforced Composites.
  • Publications in Finite Element Analysis of Thermal and Static Studies of Bearing Assembly Elements.
  • 10 Years of Experience Conducting Railroad Research

 

Dr. Javier Kypuros

 

Dr. Javier Kypuros, Ph.D.

Co-Principal Investigator
Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Email: javier.kypuros@utrgv.edu
Office: (956) 665-7078

  • Expertise: Dynamic Systems and Controls, Vehicle Systems and Controls, Railroad Bearing Condition Monitoring.
  • Publications in Temperature and Vibration Studies for Bearing Condition Monitoring.
  • 8 Years of Experience Conducting Railroad Research

 

Dr. Heinrich Foltz

 

Dr. Heinrich Foltz, Ph.D.

Co-Principal Investigator
Professor, Electrical Engineering
Email: heinrich.foltz@utrgv.edu
Office: (956) 665-5016

  • Expertise: Theory and Design of Compact/Wideband Antenna Elements, Microwave and RF Circuits, Millimeter-wave Sensing, and Electromagnetics.
  • 6 Years of Experience Conducting Railroad Research

 

Jazmin Ley

 

Jazmin Ley, M.S.E.

Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering
Email: jazmin.ley@utrgv.edu

  • Expertise: Railroad Research, Cross-trained in Management.
  • Thesis Title: Load Sensor in an Elastomer Suspension Element.
  • Assist the PI in managing the day-to-day operations of the UTPA Railroad Research Group.
  • 6 Years of Experience Conducting Railroad Research.

 

Melissa Pena

Ms. Melissa Pena

Program Assistant
Email: melissa.pena@utrgv.edu

  • Expertise: 4 Years of Experience Assisting with Funded Grant Projects
  • Highly experienced in financial reporting of grant activities
  • Cross-trained in management of various projects; highly trained
  • Certified in all university related workflow processes.


Motto: Committed to Excellence in Research and Development for the Advancement of the Railroad Industry