Texas Tech University

TTU Combustion Lab

Staff

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drp

Michelle Pantoya, Ph.D.

 

Luke

Luke Croessmann

Graduate Research Assistant and Lab Safety Officer. Originally from Edgewood, NM before coming to Texas Tech for my college journey. Joined the Combustion Lab in Fall of 2017 as a Undergraduate Research Assistant. Enjoyed the research so much that I just never left. Graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in May 2020 and December 2021, respectively. I expect to graduate December 2024 with my final degree. My research is focused on terminal ballistics of reactive material and characterizing new protective coatings. I have been an intern at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) since summer 2021. In my free time I enjoy my Lego collection, playing golf, and watching hockey.

Cole

COle Ritchie

Graduate Research Assistant and Lab Manager. I am from Buda, Texas, and I earned my BS in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech. My research interests include ballistics, pyrometry and thermography, and high-speed video analysis techniques. I have interned at Y-12 National Security Complex, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, and am currently an intern at Sandia National Laboratories. I am planning to graduate with my masters in May 2024 and with my PhD in May 2025. In my limited spare time I enjoy brewing mead, working on old cars, and spending time at the shooting range. 

Ishrat

Ishrat Melak

Graduate Research Assistant and Lab Business Manager. I am from Bangladesh and I received my BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and my MS from Texas Tech University. I plan to graduate with my PhD in December 2024. I am researching surface characterization of hydrated nano and micron aluminum particles to increase reactivity.

Larry

Larry Queen

Graduate Research Assistant. I come from Lampasas, Texas, and received my BS in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech. I'm currently working on my MS and PhD, also at Texas Tech. I am a Graduate Research Assistant in the Combustion Lab and I've had summer internships at Y-12 in Tennessee and Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico. My Current research is focused on understanding the force profile of a projectile upon impact and determining how various material properties effect the profile. 

Nick

Nicholas Jaramillo

Graduate Research Assistant and Assistant Lab Manager. Originally from Wichita Falls, Texas, I hold a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Midwestern State University and a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from North Carolina State University. Before joining the combustion lab, I had the privilege of working at NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston, Tx. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D with a focus in pyrometry. My anticipated graduation date is May 2026.

joe_m

Joseph Micus

Graduate Research Assistant. I am from Waco, Texas and received my BS in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University. I plan to graduate with my master's degree in May 2024 and my PhD in May 2026. I interned at DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD during summer of 2022, and at Sandia National Laboratories starting in summer of 2023. I am currently researching radiant energy loss during metal dust combustion via bomb calorimetry. Outside of the lab, I enjoy 3D printing, slowly improving my golf swing, playing basketball, and playing my guitar.

Hope

Hope Feltenberger

Graduate Research Assistant. I grew up in San Pedro, CA and attended California State University, Long Beach for my undergraduate and master's studies in Mechanical and Aerospace engineering. My PhD from Texas Tech will be in Mechanical engineering (expected May of 2026). My research focus is burning rate analysis at elevated pressures which I continue to work on during the summers at Los Alamos National Laboratory. When I am not in the lab, I love to travel.

connor

Connor Key

Graduate Research Assistant. I am from Lubbock, Texas, and I received my BS in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech. I plan to graduate with my MS (Fall 2024) and my PhD from Texas Tech. I interned at Y12 during the Summer of 2023 and have plans to return. I am currently working on quantifying bi-spectral obscurant performance for various materials.

Kallista

Kallista Kunzler

Graduate Research Assistant. I am from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I received my BS in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech. I plan to graduate with my MS in May 2025. I have interned at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) since summer 2020. I am currently researching the effects of wires within propellants in high pressure scenarios. In my free time I enjoy archery and arts and crafts!

joe_p

Joseph Pantoya

Undergraduate Research Assistant. I am from Lubbock, Texas. I will graduate with my BS in Mechanical Engineering in May of 2024. I interned at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) during the summer of 2022 and 2023, respectively. Currently, I specialize in the synthesis and formulation of solid oxidizers and rocket propellants.

vinny

Vincent Micus

Undergraduate Research Assistant. I am from Waco, TX. I am currently pursuing my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at Texas Tech University. I am enrolled in an accelerated MS/BS program and hope to finish my BS in Fall 2024, with plans to move forward in pursuit of a graduate degree. Most of the work I do in the Combustion Lab revolves around gathering data on metal fuels using a Parr Calorimeter outfitted with a pressure transducer and pyrometer, but I try to help where anywhere else I can. Outside the lab I love the outdoors, football season, and Cesar salads. 

wyatt

Wyatt Benson

Undergraduate Research Assistant. I moved to Texas from a small town in California's central valley, to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering here at Texas Tech.  I am currently working as an undergraduate research assistant focused primarily on alteration of aluminum nano-particles through wet chemistry.  After completion of my bachelor's degree, I aim to start work on a master's degree in combustion.

Alumni

alumni

Combustion Lab