2025 – 2026 Undergraduate Research Student Cohort
Kevin Castaneda Guerra
Spring 2024 – present
Bio: Kevin Castañeda is a Texas State University sophomore pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He enjoys dissecting and comprehending the structural and functional components of objects to gain a deeper insight into their design and functionality. As he embarks on his first research project, he is excited about the learning journey ahead, eager to absorb the intricacies of the research procedures and contribute his creative perspective to the team’s collaborative efforts.
Project: Mobile Robot for Animal Tracking
Jillian Grubenhoff
Spring 2024 – present
Bio: Jillian Grubenhoff is a Texas State University freshman pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in applied mathematics. She is a member of the Honors College at Texas State and SWE. Although this is her first research project, she is eager to gain more knowledge and experience in the engineering field and contribute to the team’s research and design efforts. She enjoys working on complex math and engineering problems, seeking to understand the various components and systems integrated into a design.
Project: Mobile Robot for Animal Tracking
Alexandra Gilmore
Fall 2024 – present
Bio: Alexandra Gilmore is a junior mechanical engineering major at Texas State University. She is passionate about problem-solving and innovation, and she enjoys this opportunity to work with this team on this continuous technical project. She is excited to join the research to facilitate deeper analysis of creative, functional, and efficient design solutions.
Project: Mobile Robot for Animal Tracking
Nathan Charles
Fall 2025 – present
Bio: Nathan Charles is a Texas State University senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He has a strong interest in AI, machine learning, and robotics. He’s an officer in the TXST IEEE student chapter and utilizes his background in robotics to assist new engineers in launching their technical journeys. As he begins his time with the HiPE Lab, he’s excited to learn more about the research process and contribute to impactful projects.
Project: Mobile Robot for Animal Tracking
Mimi Fariha
Fall 2025 – present
Bio: Mimi Fariha is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Texas State University, after earning her first degree in Communications from UTSA. With a strong interest in hands-on hardware systems and embedded technologies, Mimi is currently working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant on the USDA-sponsored AnimalCareBot project, where she helps integrate LiDAR, cameras, and sensors on a mobile robot. She is passionate about learning through real-world projects and is especially drawn to robotics, circuit design, and embedded systems development. Outside of academics, Mimi enjoys content creation and streaming as a VTuber, combining creativity with tech. Her drive to build, communicate, and innovate fuels her journey in both engineering and digital storytelling.
Project: Mobile Robot for Animal Tracking
Volunteering Cohort
Tanvir Ahmed
Fall 2023 – present
Bio: Tanvir Ahmed is a graduate mechanical engineer pursuing his master’s in mechanical and manufacturing engineering at Texas State University. He enjoys working at the intersection of science and applied technology. His research focuses on Engineering Design, Robotics, and the Manufacturing Technology sector. He enjoys traveling to new destinations, designing graphics, and editing videos, all while pursuing his academic endeavors. He loves to work with a team, whether leading it or following the leader’s instructions, because he believes that by maximizing the diverse skill sets of different individuals, a balanced team can achieve unprecedented results.
Project: Smart Collar for Cattle Health Monitoring
Isabela Willis
Fall 2024 – present
Bio: Isabela Willis is a junior at Texas State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. With a growing interest in robotics and manufacturing techniques, Isabela is excited to start her first research project. She is eager to expand her understanding of mechanical systems and develop her hands-on skills. Passionate about finding practical solutions and innovative approaches, Isabela looks forward to contributing her enthusiasm and fresh perspective to the research team and exploring new opportunities within the field.
Project: Mobile Robot for Animal Tracking
Utsav Adhikari
Fall 2025 – present
Bio: Utsav Adhikari is a sophomore at Texas State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. His interests center on AI and automation, with a strong motivation to explore how emerging technologies can drive innovation. As an officer in the TXST IEEE student chapter, he helps students in the Open Project Space by teaching the fundamentals of microcontroller usage and encouraging hands-on exploration. He also serves as an Instructional Assistant in the Department of Physics, supporting students in their learning journey. Utsav is excited to begin his role as a research assistant, where he looks forward to gaining deeper research experience, expanding his technical skills, and contributing to impactful projects.
Project: Mobile Robot for Animal Tracking
Susan Ledezma
Fall 2025 – present
Bio: Susan Beatriz Ledezma is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Animal Science with a pre-veterinary concentration and minors in Biology and Chemistry. This is her first research project, and she is excited to explore the intersection of animal behavior and applied AI computer vision systems. With a strong interest in veterinary medicine and animal health, Susan is excited to gain hands-on experience and expand her knowledge in innovative, data-driven approaches to animal care and behavior.
Project: Data Collection & YOLO Cattle Behavior Detection
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture 2023-2027