Principal Investigator

Solomon Adera

Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan
Education: PhD, MechE, MIT
Membership:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) since 2009
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) since 2009
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) since 2022
American Physical Society (APS) since 2022
ASME K-16 Heat Transfer division since 2020
Pi Tau Sigma Nu Chapter since 2008
Tau Beta Pi (TBP) since 2008
Beta Lambda Alpha International Honor Society since 2007

Currently, we are looking for motivated and creative graduate and undergraduate students to join our group. Interested students are encouraged to apply for graduate admission. Admitted students are encouraged to contact Prof. Adera via email. Undergraduate students should email Prof. Adera with their resume.

Dogtoral Assistant and Lab Manager

Dogtor CoCo

Dogtor CoCo is the Lab Manager (05/03/2021-present).

Postdoctoral Researchers / Visiting Scholars

Tomasz Kulakowski

Tom was born and raised in Warsaw, Poland. He obtained the title of engineer in 2014, dealing with the subject of energy efficiency of buildings. In 2016, he obtained a master’s degree defending his thesis in the field of construction. He obtained both titles at Warsaw University of Technology. From 2016 to 2022, he participated in doctoral studies at the Warsaw University of Technology, from which he graduated with honors in 2022. He is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Fundamentals of Civil Engineering at Warsaw University of Technology. He joined ETL in August 2023 as a DEKABAN Fund fellow.

Email: [email protected]

Michal Remer

Michal was raised in Zamość, Poland. He received a BSc in 2012 at the Warsaw University of Technology, dealing with numerical simulations in scramjet engines. In 2014, he obtained a master’s degree, defending his thesis on droplet impact in icing conditions. From 2014, he worked as a Research Assistant at the Warsaw University of Technology in the Aerodynamics Department. He defended his PhD in 2022 in the field of triple line dynamics. He is an Assistant Professor at Warsaw University of Technology Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering. He will join ETL in March 2024 as a DEKABAN Fund fellow.

Email: [email protected]

Graduate Students

Yimin Zhou

Yimin was born and raised in Chengdu, Sichuan (Szechuan), China. She received her B.S. degree in Nuclear Engineering with the highest honors from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) in July 2020. She joined ETL in Fall 2020.

She has a great interest in global energy utilization and environmental sustainability. Her current research project is phase-change heat transfer for thermal management applications.

Outside the lab, she is an e-board member of Qingyun Chinese Music Ensemble, a student organization at U of M that features traditional Chinese musical instruments.

Email: [email protected]

Google Scholar LinkedIn ResearchGate ORCiD

Biruk Teka

Biruk was born and raised in Ethiopia. He obtained his B.S. degree in ME with highest honors from Pusan National University in South Korea in February 2020, and obtained his MS degree in ME from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in August 2022. He joined ETL in Fall 2022.

His current research interest is in droplet impact on micro/nanostructured lubricated porous structures.

In his spare time, he likes to play soccer and swim.

Email: [email protected]

Young Jin Lee

Young Jin, from Seoul, South Korea, obtained his B.S. degree in ME from Seoul National University of Science and Technology and completed his M.S. degree in ME at Korea University. During his B.S. and M.S., he worked at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology. He joined ETL in Fall 2024.

In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, playing tennis, and cooking.

Email: [email protected]

Priyanka Viswanath

Priyanka was born and raised in India. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from PES University, India. She joined ETL in Winter 2024. She is currently working towards earning her Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Her research in on the enhancement of pool boiling heat transfer.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and singing.

Email: [email protected]

Arkady Grunin

Arkady received a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from the City College of New York in 2019. Since the completion of his undergraduate studies, Arkady has been employed with the US Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) in the Analytics Fluid, Thermal & Survivability Team. His professional focus pertains to fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and computational engineering. Arkady is currently pursuing an MSE at the University of Michigan on a part-time basis.

Email: [email protected]

Hrushikesh Jadhav

Hrushikesh was born and brought up in India. He obtained a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, India. During his undergraduate studies, he worked at IIT Kanpur, Reliance Industries Limited, and IG Drones. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan. His interests lie in energy generation and conservation.

In his free time, he enjoys playing badminton, singing, and cooking!

Email: [email protected]

Dave Martin

Dave Martin hails from India with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, which he completed in 2022. His research interests lie in thermal and fluid sciences. Prior to joining ETL in Fall 2024, he held research positions at Indian Institute of Technology Patna, contributing to novel heat dissipation methods in microgravity environments and surface activity of ethanol-water mixtures for dropwise condensation applications. 

His current work primarily is in studying the droplet dynamics on SLIPS.

Outside of academia, Dave loves sketching, and experimenting in the kitchen.

Email: [email protected]

Undergraduate Students

Wuwei Zhang

Wuwei is a senior double majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Material Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan. He will join ETL in Fall 2024. He is going to work on ice adhesion strength measurement and durability design of SLIPS.

In his spare time, he commits to weightlifting and cooking.

Email: [email protected]

Vaibhavi Manjarekar

Vaibhavi was born in India and raised in Singapore. She is a freshman working towards her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of Michigan. She joined ETL in the fall 2024 semester and her work will be focused on experimental characterization and modeling of droplet breakup during impact.

She is currently a member of MRover and the Michigan ballroom dance team. 

In her free time, she enjoys playing the guitar and writing short stories.

Email: [email protected]

Stephen Speyer

Stephen was born and raised in a Mexican household in Los Angeles, California. He is currently an undergraduate freshman studying Mechanical Engineering and joined ETL in the fall of 2024.

His research is on droplet impact dynamics on lubricant-infused surfaces.

In his free time, Stephen enjoys working on cars, boxing, weightlifting, playing soccer and baseball.

Email: [email protected]

Jason Fan

Jason Fan, originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan. He joined the ETL in the Fall of 2024.

Jason is a member of Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars, as well as MRacing and MACH.

In his free time, Jason enjoys playing piano and guitar.

Email: [email protected]

Alumni – Graduate Students

Devika Harikrishnan

Devika Harikrishnan, hailing from India, holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, where she also pursued a minor in Computer Science Engineering. Her upcoming association with ETL, starting in Fall 2023, is fueled by her keen interest in thermal management and renewable energy systems.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Devika finds joy in dancing and pencil sketching.

Email: [email protected]


Ayesha Saeed

Ayesha Saeed was born and raised in Pakistan where she completed her undergraduate studies in space science and technology with a concentration in aerospace applications. Currently, she is on a compelling academic journey pursuing a Master’s degree in Space Engineering. She enthusiastically joined ETL in the winter of 2024 and is excited to embark on this scholarly adventure at the intersection of theory and application.

Email: [email protected]

Jerry(Ziyang) Huang

Jerry(Ziyang) Huang was raised in Shanghai, China. He obtained his B.S degree in Aeronautical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in May 2022. He joined ETL in Summer 2023.

His current research interest is in characterizing ice adhesion strength on various surfaces.

Outside of the lab, he is a car enthusiast and working on cars from the 80s.

Email: [email protected]

Weihan (Michael) Wang

Weihan (Michael) was born and raised in Zhengzhou, China. He obtained his B.S degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Rochester in May 2022. He joined ETL in Fall 2022. He is interested in thermal management and is currently working on enhancing condensation heat transfer using lubricant-infused surfaces.

In his free time, Weihan enjoys playing bass guitar and hard rock.

Email: [email protected]

Mohammed Asaker

Mohammed was born and raised in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). He received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from King Saud University with the First honor.  He joined ETL in fall 2021. He is interested in solar steam generation (solar desalination) and radiative cooling.

In his free time, Mohammed enjoys hiking, horseback riding, cooking, and playing soccer.

Email: [email protected]

Michelle Huang

Michelle grew up in Ann Arbor, MI. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University in 2020. She joined the ETL in the Fall 2021 semester. She is interested in assisting condensation using active forces.

She finished her Masters in the Winter 2022 semester. After graduation, she is now working at IMRA, Ann Arbor, MI.

In her spare time, Michelle enjoys reading fiction books and baking deserts.

Email: [email protected]

John Lee

John Lee

John grew up in Jos, Nigeria. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Calvin University in 2017. After working for three years in the West-Michigan area, he joined ETL in the summer of 2021. He is interested in global sustainability challenges of energy and water.

He finished his Masters in the Fall 2021 semester. After graduation, he is now working at AVL, Plymouth, MI.

In his spare time, John enjoys being outdoors, cooking, and hanging out with his cat.

Email: [email protected]

Wei Lu

Wei Lu

Wei was born and raised in Anhui province. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2016 from Anhui University of Science and Technology with high honor. He joined ETL in Fall 2020. His current research focuses on utilizing engineered surfaces and active droplet manipulation strategies to enhance phase-change condensation.

Wei is a photography enthusiast. Outside of work, he enjoys taking high quality pictures of people, events, and landscapes with his camera. Additionally, he enjoys playing table tennis.

Email: [email protected]

Alumni – Undergraduate Students

Matthew Lajoie

Matthew grew up in Rochester, Michigan. He is currently a senior studying mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan. He joined ETL in fall 2023 and is working on visualizing ice attachment mechanisms on solid surfaces.

In his free time, Matthew enjoys card games, music, and learning about various engineering topics.

Email: [email protected]

Lisa Kong

Lisa was born and raised in Okemos, MI. She is currently working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan. She is currently working to better understand oleoplaning droplets and lubricated surfaces.

In her spare time, she enjoys making her own clothes and dancing.

Email: [email protected]

Jared Liebetreu

Jared was born in the United States and raised in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. Currently, Jared lives in Ann Arbor Michigan. Jared is currently a senior pursuing an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at University of Michigan. Jared is currently working on experimentally characterizing and modeling water droplet impact on silicon micropillars.

Jared enjoys cooking and working on scratch-built remote control vehicles. Over all, Jared enjoys working on anything technical or engineering-related.

Email: [email protected]

Minjeong Kim

Minjeong, originally from Seoul, South Korea, is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan. In the fall of 2023, she became a part of ETL. Her research project is on analyzing the wetting ridge dynamics of lubricant-infused surfaces.

Minjeong is deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and is a firm believer in the power of leaders to drive social change. During her free time, she collaborates with her brother to create music, and in 2022, her music amassed over 65k listeners on Spotify.

Email: [email protected]

Mobin Mazloomian

Mobin spent most of his time growing up around Ann Arbor. He’s currently a Mechanical Engineering senior at the University of Michigan and is pursuing a minor in Energy Science and Policy. His main focus is on sustainability, decarbonization, and the social-impacts of engineering. He started working in the ETL Fall 2023. He is working on using planar laser-induced fluorescence to visualize and characterize thin films.

Outside of engineering, he likes to cook, play the cello and drums, and can be spotted biking around campus.

Email: [email protected]

Hunter Gandee

Hunter grew up in Temperance, MI and is a graduate of Bedford High School. He is currently working on his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He joined ETL in the Winter 2021 semester. He works on icephobic material synthesis and experimental characterization.

Hunter is also a student-manager for the University of Michigan Men’s Wrestling team, and a member of the MRover student design team.

When he is not working he enjoys hiking and exploring northern Michigan.

He received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in FA 2023. He is now working at the WEC Energy Group as a Power Plant Engineer in Marquette, Michigan.

Email: [email protected]

Lauren Carrannanto

Lauren grew up in Milford, MI. She is currently working on her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan. She joined ETL in winter 2023. Her research studies phenomena on icephobic surfaces.

She is also a member of MedLaunch and is an Intramural Sports Supervisor at the University of Michigan. 

In her free time, Lauren enjoys playing basketball, hiking, reading, and painting.

Email: [email protected]

Feihao (Howard) Wang

Feihao (Howard) was born in Jiangxi, China. He is a junior in mechanical engineering major at the University of Michigan. He joined ETL in Fall 2022. He is currently working on the ice adhesion strength on lubricant-infused surfaces. 

Email: [email protected]

Wanxuan (Yolanda) Ming

Wanxuan (Yolanda) was born and raised in Dongguan, China. She is a dual degree student majoring in mechanical engineering and environmental engineering at Shanghai Jiaotong University and the University of Michigan. She joined ETL in the fall 2022 semester.

She enjoys reading, baking, and painting in her spare time.

Email: [email protected]

Christopher VanDieren

Christopher grew up in Bloomfield, Michigan. He is an undergraduate studying mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan. He joined ETL in the fall of 2022. He is currently working on measuring the critical heat flux through engineered surfaces exposed to boiling water.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing the piano and building amateur rockets.

Email: [email protected]

Jack Ruppel

Jack Ruppel was born and raised in Freeland, Michigan, a small town about 90 minutes north of Ann Arbor. He is in his senior year at the University of Michigan studying Mechanical Engineering and joined ETL in the fall of 2022. He is currently working on drop impact dynamics on textured oil-infused surfaces.

Jack enjoys playing hockey, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.

Email: [email protected]

Yicheng (Frederick) Jiang

Yicheng (Frederick) was born in Wuxi, China and moved to California for high school. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan. He joined ETL in the Fall 2022 semester as a sophomore. His current work focuses on the formation of ice dendrites on lubricant-infused surfaces and the oil propagation through dendrites.

In his free time, he has a passion for quantitative finance and complicated machines like automobiles and aircraft.

Email: [email protected]

Jose Galguera

Jose is a proud Cuban and Miami native. He is a Mechanical Engineering major with a passion for hands-on work with real world applicability. He joined ETL in WI 2022.

His work mainly consists of the study of droplet oleoplaning and its associated factors such as contact angle and surface tension of fluids.Email: [email protected]

Keith Wong

Keith was born and raised in Arcadia, CA. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan. He was working on the study of oleoplaning droplets and lubricated surfaces.

He joined ETL in WI 2022 and finished his Bachelor’s degree in the Winter 2023 semester. After graduation, he is now working at Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Email: [email protected]

Xiaoyu (Shawn) Chen

Xiaoyu (Shawn) was born in Jinan, China, and grew up in Yinchuan, China. He is double majoring in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan. He joined ETL in the Winter 2022 semester. He is currently working on understanding the motion of condensed droplet on the lubricated surface.

He finished his Bachelor’s degree in the Winter 2023 semester. After graduation, he is now a PhD student at University of California, Berkeley.

In his spare time, Xiaoyu enjoys reading, cooking, watching movies, playing basketball and hiking.

Email: [email protected]

Haobo Xu

Haobo was born and raised in Wenzhou, China. He is double majoring in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan. He joined ETL in the Fall 2021 semester. He is currently working on understanding the transient and steady state behavior of wetting ridge on lubricated surface.

He finished his Bachelor’s degree in the Winter 2023 semester. After graduation, he is now a PhD student at Cornell University.

In his spare time, Haobo enjoys playing table tennis and watching movies.

Email: [email protected]

Dalton Wawro

Dalton grew up in Birmingham, MI and is a graduate of Brother Rice High School. He is currently working towards earning his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Physics. He joined ETL in the Fall 2021 semester. His current research seeks to understand the mechanics of ice adhesion on different surfaces of varying wettability.

In his spare time, Dalton enjoys reading, chess, golf, and cooking.

Email: [email protected]

Justin Ramlall

Justin was born in Georgetown, Guyana, and grew up in Levittown, New York. He is currently working towards earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Electrical Engineering. He has a passion for sustainability and robotics. Justin joined ETL in Summer of 2021 and is working on water harvesting.

He is also a research team member in the Multidisciplinary Design Program (MDP) at the University of Michigan and a current board member of the Michigan Powerlifting Club.

In his free time Justin enjoys cooking, the outdoors, collecting figurines, and going to the gym.

Email: [email protected]

Juan Chomali

Juan Chomali

Juan was born in Santiago, Chile. He is currently working on his Bachelor’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Economics. He has a passion for innovation and sustainability. He joined ETL in winter 2021. His research focuses on understanding the motion of millimeter size water droplets on nature-inspired state-of-the-art micro/nanostructured lubricated porous structures.

Juan is also a member of the Michigan International Students Society.

In his free time, he enjoys mountaineering, reading, cooking, and playing soccer.

Email: [email protected]

Alumni – Summer Undergrad Interns

Elijah Williams

Elijah is a senior dual-degree engineering student at Morehouse College and the University of Michigan. He aspires to graduate in May 2025 with a B.S. in Applied Physics from Morehouse College as well as a B.S.E in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Energy and a minor in Sustainability from the University of Michigan. During the summer of 2023, he completed an engineering internship at one of the largest HVAC companies in the nation, Carrier Corporation, in Syracuse, New York. He was assigned a project that included many concepts classically used in thermodynamics in addition to working in a corporate environment with a variety of lab technicians.

Elijah’s hobbies include listening to music, working out, and reading.

Email: [email protected]

Jaccob Jones

Jaccob Jones was born in Tifton, GA. He grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia due to a military family. Jaccob is a senior Dual-Degree Engineering student at Clark-Atlanta University transferring to his partner institution this Fall. He is majoring in Physics and Mechanical
Engineering. He was the Vice-President of The Atlanta University Consortium National Society of Black Engineers Chapter during the 2023-2024 academic year. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated through the Alpha Phi Chapter. He
joined the ETL in the summer of 2024.

His current research focuses on understanding droplet impact dynamics and droplet coalescence.

Outside of engineering his hobbies include listening to music, cooking, and playing the game.

Email: [email protected]

Tanner Gaw

Tanner was born and raised in Shepherd, Michigan. He is currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan, and he joined ETL in the Summer of 2024. He is currently working on droplet impact dynamics on lubricated surfaces. 

In his free time, he enjoys reading and exercising.

Email: [email protected]

Alaa Almounauar

Alaa Almounauar was born in the United States and raised in Damascus, Syria. She earned her associate degree with honors in Science and pre-engineering from Washtenaw Community College. In the fall of 2024, she will be admitted to Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan. She is curious about interdisciplinary sciences and engineering. Her current goal is to finish her B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and pursue an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering.

She likes to read about history and philosophy in her free time and enjoys the outdoors and nature.

Email: [email protected]

Thomas Wooldridge

Thomas was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is an undergraduate student at Purdue University studying mechanical engineering. He joined ETL in the summer of 2023 and is currently working on visualizing ice attachment mechanisms on solid surfaces.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, badminton, and baseball.

Email: [email protected]

Miles Phillips

Miles was born and raised in Fort Worth, TX. He is currently working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics at Howard University. He joined the ETL in Summer 2022. His current research focuses on understanding droplet impact dynamics on lubricant-infused surfaces.

In his free time Miles enjoys playing basketball, reading, and cooking.

Email: [email protected]

Alumni – Summer Highschool Interns

Maya Labonte

Maya was born in Charleston, SC, grew up in Northville, MI, and graduates from Northville High School in 2025. She joined ETL in the summer of 2024.

In her free time, she enjoys running, weight lifting, and playing chess.

Email: [email protected]

Anju Kummetha

Anju was born in Hyderabad, India and grew up in Albany, New York. She will be a Junior at Guilderland High School next year. She joined the ETL in Summer 2023 and is currently involved in a virtual internship analyzing how droplets spread and retract on thin liquid films during impact. 

In her free time she enjoys playing tennis, reading, and taking hikes. 

Email: [email protected]

Amira Hamilton

Amira was born in Grand Rapids and attend East Kentwood High School in Kentwood MI. As part of the University of Michigan Summer High School Apprentice Researchers Program (U-M SHARP), she joined the ETL in summer 2022. Amira works on modeling oil wicking through dendrites.

When she is not in the lab, she enjoys dancing, reading, playing my guitar, and playing video games.

Email: [email protected]

Nikye Nixon

Nikye grew up in Royal Oak, MI, and will be a Senior at Royal Oak High School next fall. As part of the University of Michigan Summer High School Apprentice Researchers Program (U-M SHARP), she joined the ETL in Summer 2021. Nikye will work on experimental characterization and numerical modeling of frost propagation and icing of subcooled water droplets on state-of-the-art micro/nanoengineered surfaces.

In her spare time, Nikye enjoys creating art of all different mediums, reading, and journaling.

Email: [email protected]