Staff

Meghan Connolly, Research Administrator Lead

2130 HH Dow

Meghan is responsible for proposal preparation, account reconciliation and monitoring research expenses, and general support to faculty.  Meghan supports the research administration needs for the following faculty: Timothy Chambers, Abdon Pena-Francesch, Robert Hovden, Jinsang Kim, Yiyang Li, Emmanuelle Marquis, and Ashwin Shahani.

Jacob Cranson, Financial Specialist

2130 HH Dow

(734) 647-2249

Jacob provides support for the post award and financial analysis functions within the department. He assists with transactional processing and implementation of financial controls. 

Chris Cristian, Intermediate Desktop Support Specialist

2224B HH Dow

(734) 764-3357

Chris assists in all of the computing needs for the faculty and staff of the department, particularly in the use of Windows and Macintosh operating systems. He also assists in any computing needs for the Van Vlack laboratory and is available to answer any computer related questions or problems. He also administers the departmental backup server, and helps keep departmental machines updated.

Jack Eilers, Engineering Technician

2224C HH Dow

(734) 647-9046

Jack is responsible for repair, maintenance and training users, including undergraduate and graduate students, on proper use of laboratory equipment.

Sahar Farjami, Laboratory/Classroom Services Supervisor

2224A HH Dow

(734) 647-1099

Sahar is responsible for managing the Van Vlack Undergraduate Laboratory.  She is co-instructor of the MSE577, Principles of Failure Analysis.  Her other duties include maintaining equipment, conducting training, and running outreach events and demonstrations.  She is available to assist faculty, staff and students with instructional and facilities needs. 

Shelley Fellers, Administrative Assistant

3074 HH Dow

(734) 764-2383
Shelley is responsible for sorting mail and maintaining mailboxes, shipping and receiving packages, online ordering (Fisher, Sigma Aldrich, OfficeMax, etc.) room reservations, copiers in 3074 Dow, parking permits and coordinates the MSE Colloquium.
Cassandra Franklin-Smith, HR Generalist

3074D H.H. Dow

(734) 764-4659

Cassandra provides support to Department in areas of Human Resources. Responsibilities include processing staffing and personnel records, as well as handling compensation, benefits and training.  She provides assistance with visa, I-9 and other employment documentation processing.

Kristen Freshley, Marketing Communications Specialist

3062C HH Dow

(734) 647-2548

Kristen is responsible for Marketing and Communications for the Department.  She is a liaison with our faculty research groups to communicate the developments in research to various audiences.  She handles the newsletter and content published via website and social media channels.  She handles marketing of activities and events through engaging alumni, faculty, students and others. 

Xiang Gao, Engineer in Research

2219A HH Dow

Xiang is in charge of maintenance, service and repair of testing instruments and research equipment including electronics, vacuum systems, computer-based systems, mechanical testing equipment, etc. She can assist you to design test instruments to meet your specific research needs. She is also responsible for the operation of the X-Ray diffraction facilities in room 2219. Anyone wishing to use these facilities must be trained and approved by her before using the equipment.

Renee Hilgendorf, Graduate Program Advisor

3062D HH Dow

(734) 763-9790

Renee handles all aspects of the Graduate Program for the MSE Dept. (academic advising, graduate student fellowships and GSRA funding oversight, benefits, GSI assignments and recruiting and admissions.) Renee works with the Graduate PhD and Master's Committees, and assists with other departmental administrative work as needed. 

Lourdes Jorgensen, Financial Specialist Intermediate

2142 HH Dow

(734) 763-6043

Lourdes processes purchase orders for MSE, processes reimbursements for faculty, students and guests, processes P-Card’s for Faculty, and administrative support to the Department.

Kathleen Kuhn, Research Administration Manager

3074C H. H. Dow

(734) 615-4780

Kathy is responsible for providing expert management and coordination of all aspects of research administration for the department.
Kathy supports the research administration needs for the following faculty: John Allison, John Heron, Elizabeth Holm, Amit Misra, Ferdinand Poudeu-Poudeu, Max Shtein, Kai Sun, and Steve Yalisove.

Tina Longenbarger, Executive Secretary

3062 H.H. Dow

(734) 763-2445

Provides administrative assistance to the department chair.  Serves as primary liaison between the chair's office and all internal/external constituents, manages the process for faculty promotions, reviews, faculty searches and faculty leaves.

Maya Mulchandani, Administrative Assistant

3062 HH Dow

(734) 647-8660

Maya assists in planning, scheduling, and execution of meetings, events, programs, and workshops. Assists with travel and expense reimbursement; provides support for individual faculty members as needed.

Huimin Ponchart, Financial Senior Manager

3074C HH Dow

(734) 647-6101

Huimin is responsible for providing expert management and coordination of all aspects of research administration for the department.

Huimin supports the research administration needs for the following faculty: Rachel Goldman, Wayne Jones, Amit Misra (MC2), Katsuyo Thornton, and Anish Tuteja. She is also the point of contact for all MRSEC, MMRI, and DARPA projects.

Todd Richardson, Department Administrator

3062E H.H. Dow

(734) 647-3740

Todd has responsibility for all facets of business administrative operations for the department.  Works directly with the Chair to carry out the vision for the department in alignment with the mission, vision and values of the College of Engineering and the university.  This includes oversight of personnel, policies and procedures related to financial, human resources, immigration, outreach/marketing, procurement, and space/facility resources.

Alanna Shahly, Research Administrator Senior

2130 HH Dow

(734) 647-9445

Alanna is responsible for proposal preparation, account reconciliation and monitoring research expenses, and general support to faculty. She supports the research administration needs for the following faculty: John Kieffer, Manos Kioupakis, Rick Laine, Brian Lov, Geeta Mehta, Liang Qi, Kathy Sevener, and Wenhao Sun.

Molly Thornbladh, Undergraduate Academic Advisor

2146A HH Dow

(734) 764-3275

Molly handles all aspects of the Undergraduate Program. She also works with the Undergraduate Committee on program and Van Vlack Lab issues. Molly also provides secretarial support for faculty, and assists with other departmental administrative work as needed.

Kevin Worth, Senior IT Administrator

2010 HH Dow

(734) 936-0173

Kevin takes care of the network in the MSE department, and maintains all department-owned computers. He runs the MSE web, database, and backup servers. He can also recommend software for research use and specify and purchase new computers and software.

Tyler Zalucki, Facilities Coordinator

2231A HH Dow

(734) 763-7893

Tyler handles department facilities-related issues including utilities for research and academic labs.  He is the staff contact for safety and building related issues for MSE space in Dow, Gerstacker, GGB and NCRC B28.