NSF Engineering Research Center
and in Partnership with Industry
Leadership
Gerardine (Gerri) G. Botte, PhD
Center Director
Dr. Botte is a visionary and a recognized leader in electrochemical science and technology with expertise in electrocatalysis of nitrogen compounds.
Tracie McClaran, MBA
Executive and Administrative Director
McClaran has 13 years of grant management experience with private, state, and federally funded grant projects.
Cele Stone, PhD
Director of Strategic Partnerships & Innovation
Stone is responsible for the core activities of the innovation ecosystem and industry relations.
Roger French, PhD
Thrust 1 Lead
Dr. French's research focuses on optical properties and electronic structure of optical materials, polymers, and ceramics.
Marta Hatzell, PhD
Thrust 2 Lead
Dr. Hatzell's research focuses on exploring the role photochemistry and electrochemistry may play in future sustainable systems.
Yuriy Román, PhD
Thrust 3 Lead
Dr. Román's research interests lie at the interface of heterogeneous catalysis and materials design.
Odemari Mbuya, PhD
Testbeds Lead
Dr. Mbuya's research interests include water resources, watersheds, nutrient and water management, phytoremediation, and crop and watershed modeling.
Katie Lewis, PhD
Testbeds Lead
Dr. Lewis's research interests include soil fertility, biogeochemical cycling, sustainable crop production, soil microbiology, environmental reclamation, and organic soil amendments.
Lauren Biddlecombe
Diversity & Culture of Inclusion Co-Director
Biddlecombe has more than 15 years of experience in innovating new programs and initiatives and works across sectors with partners in nonprofit, for-profit, and government organizations.
Jessica Spott, PhD
Engineering Workforce Development Co-Director; Diversity & Culture of Inclusion Co-Director
Dr. Spott's background is in educational psychology, Spanish and communications. She is deeply involved in hosting programs that integrate and support women and minorities within STEM disciplines.
Lizanne DeStefano, PhD
Engineering Workforce Development Co-Director; Diversity & Culture of Inclusion Co-Director
Dr. DeStefano is engaged in efforts that improve the quality of teaching and the student experience, such as the Commission on Creating the Next in Education. She is a former special education teacher and a clinical and school psychologist.
Daniel Solís, PhD
Engineering Workforce Development Co-Director
Dr. Solís has served as a consultant to various organizations including the Inter-American Development Bank, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the US Department of Agriculture.
Werner Kuhr, PhD
Innovation Ecosystem Director
Dr. Werner G. Kuhr serves as Associate Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship; He will oversee and enhance TTU’s robust innovation ecosystem
Cameron Smith, MEng, JD, CLP
Intellectual Property Director
Smith is a licensed Patent Attorney with experience in intellectual property asset protection and management and is a Certified Licensing Professional with technology transfer and licensing expertise.
Christian E. Alvarez-Pugliese, PhD
Research and Team Science Coordinator
Dr. Alvarez-Pugliese is a Senior Research Associate working in the Chemical Engineering Department at Texas Tech University. He is CASFER’s Research and Team Science Coordinator.
Ozhan Gecgel, PhD
Senior Project and Development Engineer
Dr. Ozhan Gecgel is a Senior Project and Development Engineer working at CASFER at Texas Tech University responsible for testbed design and manufacturing.
Zaida Gracia, MS
Senior Director for Inclusive Workforce Development and Education
Zaida Gracia serves as CASFER's Senior Director for Inclusive Workforce Development and Education and has been with Texas Tech since 2013.
Maria Castro, MEd
Associate Director of Finance
Castro now serves as the Associate Director of Finance for the center, providing support in finance and Human Resources.
Nathan Caballero, MA
Media Relations Coordinator
Nathan Caballero provides support for the creation and maintenance of all digital media, including presentations, graphics, videos