2026 Early Career Award Cohort

Nasser S. Al Azri

Chemical Engineering
B.S. 2017

Process Innovation Engineer
The Lubrizol Corporation

Nasser S. Al Azri is a process innovation engineer at the Lubrizol Corporation, where he develops and implements advanced chemical manufacturing technologies. His work focuses on process intensification, reaction kinetics, and process modeling to improve safety, efficiency, and cost performance. He has led the design and scale-up of novel systems, including commissioning Lubrizol’s first continuous flow reactor capable of handling high-pressure, high-temperature, and hazardous chemistries.

Prior to joining Lubrizol, Al Azri was a graduate student researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his doctorate in chemical engineering and master of science in petroleum engineering. His research, conducted in collaboration with Lubrizol, focused on transitioning specialty chemical production from traditional batch processing to continuous, modular reactor systems, achieving major improvements in energy efficiency and cost reduction. He also completed a graduate internship at Shell’s Lubricants Discovery Hub, where he analyzed hybrid engine oil performance and identified opportunities for product and market development.

Al Azri holds a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from Penn State and has received multiple academic honors, including teaching and research awards during his graduate studies. He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the RAPID Institute and actively contributes to professional and community initiatives. His experience spans technical leadership, mentorship, and collaboration with industry and academic partners, reflecting a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability in chemical engineering.

Christopher P. Cartwright, PE

Civil Engineering
B.S. 2012
M.S. 2014

Engineering Manager
Sargent & Lundy

Christopher P. Cartwright, PE, is an engineering manager at Sargent & Lundy, where he leads the design and construction support of overhead transmission line systems for electric utilities nationwide. As a civil transmission line engineer, he oversees the preparation of detailed construction plans for new and existing lines. His technical expertise includes pole sizing, conductor sag and tension, blowout analysis, ampacity calculations, and clearance assessments, ensuring compliance with the National Electric Safety Code, and client standards. He also serves as the firm’s subject matter expert in transmission line foundation design, providing advanced technical support across complex projects throughout the country.

Prior to joining Sargent & Lundy, Cartwright worked as a civil/structural engineer at Bechtel National, where he performed structural analysis and design for communication and transmission line structures. His work included designing spread footing and drilled pier foundations, as well as developing company-wide technical specifications for concrete materials, including self-consolidating concrete. He is a licensed professional engineer in Maryland and Pennsylvania and an active member of the American Concrete Institute.

Cartwright earned his bachelor of science and master of science in civil engineering from Penn State. His academic achievements include multiple honors such as a National Science Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowship and award-winning research presentations. He remains actively engaged with Penn State, regularly speaking to students about careers in the power industry and participating in engineering career fairs, reflecting his commitment to mentoring the next generation of engineers.  

Dr. Jason K. Cornelius

Aerospace Engineering
B.S. 2018
M.S. 2019
Ph.D. 2023

CEO
Perseus Defense

Dr. Jason K. Cornelius is the co-founder and CEO of Perseus Defense, a Y Combinator–backed company developing counter-unmanned aerial system missile technologies for the Pentagon. In this role, he leads the company’s strategic vision and technical development, applying advanced aerospace engineering and emerging technologies to modern defense challenges. He remains actively engaged in advancing the field through both industry innovation and ongoing research.

Prior to founding Perseus Defense, Cornelius worked at the NASA Ames Research Center from 2018 to 2025 as part of the Aeromechanics Office. There, he played a key role in rotor blade design for the Dragonfly relocatable lander, a mission planned to explore Titan. He also led an advanced concepts team focused on integrating machine learning methods to improve the modeling, simulation, and analysis of aerospace vehicles, contributing to more efficient and innovative design approaches.

Cornelius earned a bachelor of science, master of science, and doctorate in aerospace engineering from Penn State. His academic training was complemented by a graduate certificate in international affairs and language studies in Russian and Chinese, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to engineering and global engagement.  

Dr. Perry S. Edwards

Electrical Engineering
B.S. 2007
M.S. 2009
Ph.D. 2013

CEO
Croptix

Dr. Perry S. Edwards is the founder and CEO of Croptix, where he provides strategic leadership across innovation, product development, and commercialization. A technology entrepreneur with more than sixteen years of experience in optical sensors and precision agriculture, he has led the development of handheld, cloud-connected tools that use advanced analytics to deliver real-time, in-field insights on crop nutrition and disease. His work enables farmers to make data-driven decisions that reduce crop loss, optimize fertilizer use, and improve overall farm productivity and profitability.

Edwards co-founded Croptix in 2013 to commercialize miniaturized spectrometer technology developed at Penn State. An inventor on five patents and author of numerous scientific publications, he has earned national recognition for innovation, including a third-place finish in the Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project and finalist distinction in the Nokia Sensing XChallenge. He is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences and an active mentor to engineering students, helping bridge the gap between academic research and real-world agricultural applications.

Edwards earned his bachelor of science, master of science, and doctorate in electrical engineering from Penn State. He continues to serve the University as chair and board member of the College of Engineering’s Leonhard Center Industry Advisory Board, reflecting his ongoing commitment to advancing engineering education and fostering industry collaboration.

Dr. Bradley W. Hanks

Mechanical Engineering 
M.S., Ph.D. 2020

Principal Engineer
Solar Turbines

Dr. Bradley W. Hanks is a principal engineer at Solar Turbines, where he supports research and technology development in additive manufacturing for industrial gas turbines. He focuses on identifying and applying the latest advancements in the field, helping drive innovation across the organization. In his role, he mentors design teams on additive manufacturing applications, leads workforce training initiatives, and monitors emerging technologies to ensure continued advancement in manufacturing capabilities.

Hanks specializes in the deployment of additive manufacturing solutions for complex engineering challenges, serving as a subject matter expert within the company. He works closely with cross-functional teams to guide design decisions and improve product performance through advanced manufacturing techniques. His leadership extends to fostering technical knowledge and building organizational capability in additive manufacturing.

He earned his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University and his master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from Penn State. During his graduate studies, he focused on design optimization and metal additive manufacturing and received both the Marley Graduate Fellowship in Engineering and a University Graduate Fellowship. He continues to collaborate with Penn State through joint research projects and mentorship, supporting the development of future engineers. 

Dr. Sudeepta Mondal

Mechanical Engineering 
Ph.D. 2020

Mathematics 
M.A. 2020

Principal Research Engineer
RTX Technology Research Center

Dr. Sudeepta Mondal is a principal research engineer at RTX Technology Research Center, where he works in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). His research focuses on areas such as trustworthy AI, scientific machine learning, and generative AI, with an emphasis on developing and deploying AI frameworks for safety-critical aerospace and defense applications. His work bridges advanced machine learning techniques with real-world engineering challenges, helping transition cutting-edge AI technologies into practical use.

Prior to his current role, Mondal was a postdoctoral research assistant at Argonne National Laboratory, where he developed AI frameworks to accelerate multi-phase flow simulations for internal combustion engines. He also gained research experience through internships at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the United Technologies Research Center, contributing to projects in combustion modeling, surrogate modeling, and optimization for aero-propulsion and additive manufacturing systems.

Mondal earned his bachelor of engineering in mechanical engineering from Jadavpur University in India and completed his doctorate in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in mathematics at Penn State. He has received several honors, including the Outstanding Achievement Award from RTX Technology Research Center, best paper awards at major engineering conferences, and a National Science Foundation Student Support Award. He also maintains an academic affiliation with Penn State, contributing to research and collaboration in mechanical engineering.

Miranda D. Richter

Industrial Engineering 
B.S. 2008

Founder and CEO
Merit Project Solutions, LLC

Miranda D. Richter is the founder and CEO of Merit Project Solutions, LLC, where she leads with a combination of engineering expertise and strategic vision in the construction industry. She specializes in guiding clients through complex capital programs, balancing cost, schedule, quality, and risk to deliver successful outcomes. Her leadership integrates portfolio-level strategy with hands-on project oversight, ensuring alignment with business objectives while maintaining strong client partnerships and a high standard of execution.

Before founding Merit, Richter held several leadership roles across the construction and corporate real estate sectors. As a senior construction project manager at a national construction management firm, she led large-scale projects in health care, pharmaceutical, and institutional environments, managing multimillion-dollar budgets and complex stakeholder teams. Earlier in her career, she served as a construction manager and project manager, overseeing corporate interior and capital improvement projects, and as a senior occupancy planner, where she supported workplace strategy and real estate optimization for large organizations.

Richter earned her bachelor of science in industrial engineering from Penn State and remains actively engaged with the University and broader industry. She mentors engineering students, participates in recruiting and alumni initiatives, and supports organizations such as the National Association of Women in Construction and the Lean Construction Institute. Recognized as one of Philadelphia’s Top Real Estate Leaders, she is committed to developing future talent and advancing leadership in engineering and construction.

Sarah J. Wujcik

Architectural Engineering
B.A.E/M.A.E. 2012

Principal
MCLA, Inc.

Sarah J. Wujcik is principal and president of MCLA, Inc., where she leads design vision, project execution, and quality control across the firm. With more than fourteen years of experience in architectural lighting design, she brings a holistic approach that integrates aesthetic, technical, human-centric, and scientific considerations—with a focus on client success. Her leadership drives innovative, sustainability-focused solutions, with many projects achieving LEED certification, including multiple at the LEED Platinum level.

Wujcik’s portfolio spans a diverse range of complex projects across civic, hospitality, façade, commercial office, government, residential, historic preservation, and education sectors. She is known for fostering strong cross-disciplinary collaboration and delivering high-performing, visually compelling lighting designs. An active leader in the profession, she is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society and the International Association of Lighting Designers and previously served as president of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) District of Columbia Section. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous honors, including “40 Under 40 in Lighting Design” and multiple IES Merit and Candela Awards.

She earned an integrated bachelor of architectural engineering and master of architectural engineering from Penn State, with a minor in architectural studies. Wujcik remains actively engaged with the University through initiatives such as Penn State Project Candle, where she serves as a partner and steering committee member, reflecting her commitment to mentorship and advancing the next generation of designers.