MARC - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Co - Director
• Materials Applications Research Center ( MARC ) Fellow, Professor

Andres Carvallo is a Materials Applications Research Center (MARC) Fellow, Professor of Innovation in the College of Science and Engineering, and Co-Director of Connected Infrastructure for Education, Demonstration and Applied Research (CIEDAR) Consortium. Andres is the founder and CEO of CMG Consulting, a strategic planning and advisory firm focusing on Smart Grids, Smart Utilities, Smart Cities, and Smart Buildings. Carvallo is the author of three books and the Editor of 40 titles in Power Engineering, Telecom/IoT, and Building Technologies. Carvallo has received 36 industry awards since 2005.

Job Titles:

• Coordinator for Texas State University 's STAR Park

In this capacity, she is responsible for managing a $500M+ budget, purchasing, billing, onboarding, and client relations. She plans travel, coordinates events, supervises student workers, and oversees marketing and social media accounts in support of STAR Park, MARC, and CIEDAR. Prior to coming to STAR Park, Becky was an Administrative Assistant in the Health and Human Performance Department at Texas State University. Becky holds an M.B.A. from California Coast University. As the spouse of an Air Force veteran, Becky has traveled the world and has had the opportunity to live in several states as well as overseas in Spain and Japan. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and exploring the Texas Hill Country.

Job Titles:

• Associate Director for Design Innovation
• Professor

Claudia Roeschmann is a Professor in the Communication Design program in the School of Art and Design and Associate Director for Design Innovation in the Materials Applications Research Center (MARC), as well as Adjunct Doctoral faculty in the Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization program and Honorary Professor of International Studies at Texas State University. She was head of the Communication Design program from 2014 to 2020, and as graduate advisor directed the MFA program, a non-traditional low residency program from 2010 to 2020. She brings 20+ years of international design experience and strategic entrepreneurial thinking to the university where she teaches human-centered design and design entrepreneurship. She also serves as the founder of the Design for America studio on campus and is the co-founder of the 1 Million Cups Greater San Marcos TX community. Claudia gets very excited about international and cross-disciplinary projects and speaks at conferences about design thinking and digitally engaged learning. Originally from Germany, she moved to New York in the 90s to work for Vignelli Associates before moving to Austin with her husband, where she runs ROESCHMANNdesign, a design studio focused on brand experiences for non-profit clients. Claudia loves to travel (preferably by sailboat, bike or foot) so she can spend time in bookstores and museums.

Job Titles:

• Associate Professor
• Director

Dr. Jennifer Irvin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Texas State University. She also serves as Director of Texas State's Materials Applications Research Center and Associate Director of the Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization Doctoral Program. Her research focuses on polymers for use in nerve regeneration, biosensors, water purification, flame retardants, and alternative energy. More information about Dr. Irvin's research is available at http://irvinresearch.wp.txstate.edu/. Dr. Irvin received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemistry from Texas State and her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Florida. She was a Post-doctoral Fellow at Sandia National Laboratories and Head of Analytical Chemistry at the Naval Air Warfare Center. She is the recipient of the Texas State University Graduate College's Outstanding Mentor Award and the College of Science and Engineering's Achievement Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Service

Job Titles:

• Public Relations Specialist at STAR Park

Jasmine Hernandez is the Public Relations Specialist at STAR Park and is responsible for managing the social media accounts for STAR Park, the Connected Infrastructure for Education, Demonstration, and Applied Research (CIEDAR) consortium, and the Materials Application Research Center (MARC). She also assists with event coordination and promotion with internal and external entities, as well as being a friendly face you see when you walk into our front office. She is currently a senior at Texas State University and is pursuing a B.S. in Public Relations with a minor in Fashion Merchandising.

Job Titles:

• Interim Co - Director, CIEDAR
• Professor and Interim Director of the Ingram School of Engineering

Jesus A. Jimenez is a Professor and Interim Director of the Ingram School of Engineering at Texas State University. He has served as the Interim Co-Director for the Connected Infrastructure for Education, Demonstration, and Applied Research (CIEDAR) Consortium since 2023. Jimenez received his B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering from The University of Texas at El Paso, and his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Arizona State University. His research interests are in modeling and analysis of manufacturing systems; data intensive analysis & simulation; sustainable manufacturing & supply chain systems. He is a member of the College Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE) since 2016.

Karla Pizana is the Academic Budget Specialist for the Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization (MSEC) Program and provides administrative support to the Materials Application Research Center (MARC) and Shared Research Operations Office (SRO). She assists with budget and grant related matters, faculty and staff hires, equipment purchases, Research Service Center billing, and personnel changes. She holds a Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Services from Texas State University and is finishing a second degree in Accounting.

Job Titles:

• Administrative Specialist at Texas State University 's STAR Park

Kelly Nguyen is currently a senior at Texas State University pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration studying Management, Human Resources, and Mass Communications. She is working towards a career in mass media management and brand communications. Kelly is the Administrative Specialist at Texas State University's STAR Park, where she is responsible for performing clerical and administrative office duties such as answering the phone, maintaining the STAR Park email account, managing conference rooms and reservations, maintaining calendars, providing client assistance, maintaining filing systems and supply inventories, as well as assisting with event planning and management to contribute to an efficient office operation. She is actively involved in student organizations as the Public and Internal Relations Specialist for the University STAR, the student-run news organization at Texas State University and one of the oldest publications in the state. She is also involved with Women in Business, an organization dedicated to providing meaningful career direction, professional network development, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Job Titles:

• Technical Operations Manager for STAR Park

Marcus Goss is the Technical Operations Manager for STAR Park and is responsible for facilities management, safety, and technical operations supporting clients. He also provides technical support to the Advanced Prototyping Lab. Marcus holds a Ph.D. in Material Science Engineering and Commercialization from Texas State University. He also holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Chemistry. Marcus has participated in several entrepreneurial activities and co-founded a tech startup reusing a bio-waste material to produce a chemical additive product. He is excited about innovation and commercialization of science and technology. Marcus is a veteran of the United States Air Force and has worked in communications, manufacturing, chemical, and materials science fields for over 25 years. Marcus' career goals are focused on operations management, continuous improvement, and scholarly endeavors. Marcus holds a private pilot's license and is an aviation enthusiast. He likes to explore machines, mechanisms, tools, processes, and electronics. Marcus is also an accomplished musician and performer.