AUJUS Editors

Editor in Chief: Dr. Lorenzo Cremaschi is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Auburn University (Auburn, AL). He received his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland (College Park, MD), in 2004. In 2001 he was awarded his M.S. and B.S. diploma degrees from the University of Modena (Italy). Before joining Auburn University, Dr. Cremaschi served as a post-doctoral research associate at Purdue University's Herrick laboratories, followed by assistant and associate professor in the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK).

Dr. Cremaschi's interests focus on buildings' energy efficiency and sustainability, scalable energy systems, water desalination and purification, HVAC and refrigeration systems for the built environment. His current research includes thermodynamics and heat transfer of low Global Warming Potential refrigerants, building air dehumidification processes, frost and defrost, and moisture transport in thermal insulation systems. He is the principal investigator of several research projects and the author of over 95 papers. He revised three book chapters, and gave several presentations at conferences, meetings, and seminars at Universities. Dr. Cremaschi is the inventor of two U.S. patents.

Dr. Cremaschi is an associate editor for the Science and Technology for the Built Environment Journal. He has several honors and awards, including the 2021 Exceptional Service Award from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the 2014 Research Excellence Award from the College of Engineering at Oklahoma State University, and the 2013 Innovative Research Grant Award from ASHRAE.

Dr. Cremaschi teaches courses in the area of Thermodynamics, Refrigeration, Renewable Energy Systems, and Cryogenics. These courses are offered at the undergraduate mechanical engineering curriculum's second, third, and fourth years and at the graduate level. Dr. Cremaschi advised 34 graduate students (14 Ph.D. students and 20 M.S. students), over 50 undergraduate students in academic curriculum and career choice. He also mentored 22 undergraduate students during research and scholarly activities and 8 international visiting exchange scholars. Dr. Cremaschi is the faculty advisor of the Auburn University ASHRAE student organization, which was founded at Auburn since his arrival in 2016. He fostered several scholarships and awards for undergraduate students involved with his research.

Dr. Cremaschi is a member of the American Society of Thermal and Fluids Engineers (ASTFE) Executive Committee and the ASHRAE Research and Administration Committee. He was appointed as chair for the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) U.S. National Committee, and he is a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA) U.S. Heat Pump National team. He has been serving in several technical and standard committees for the last 15 years. Finally, Dr. Cremaschi was the technical program chair for two ASTFE conferences in 2019 and 2021. He organized numerous technical sessions, panel forums, and seminars within ASHRAE, ASTFE, IIR, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Production Editor: Kelleen Legge is a first-year graduate student pursing her Doctorate in Audiology. Kelleen graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is a Graduate Assistant for the Office of Undergraduate Research. Kelleen’s other on-campus involvement includes being a member of the Student Acadamy of Audiology. In her spare time, Kelleen enjoys working out, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

Associate Editor: Claudia Ann Rutland is a PhD student and a graduate research assistant in the Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, studying weed science under Dr. Scott McElroy. She graduated from Auburn University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. Her current research focuses on target-site resistance in herbicide resistant weed species, more specifically understanding the mechanisms of resistance in auxin-mimic herbicides. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, painting, and spoiling her dog Obi.

Editor in Chief: Pritam Mitra is a second-year PhD student and graduate research assistant in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology. He obtained his masters degree in Economics. Pritam is from Kolkata, India and his favorite sport is cricket. Other hobbies that Pritam has include playing violin and enjoying music.

Associate Editor: Maliha Yel Mahi is a second-year graduate student pursuing her doctorate in Mechanical engineering. She has achieved her Master’s degree in Mechanical engineering from the University of North Dakota. Her research focuses on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) under the supervision of Dr. Lorenzo Cremaschi. She enjoys reading books, spending time with family and friends, and traveling in her spare time.

Associate Editor: Kanak Parmar is a PhD student at Auburn University in Aerospace Engineering, specializing in space mission design, trajectory design and analysis, astrodynamics and machine learning. She previously graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor degree in Aerospace Engineering, with a minor in Business, as well as a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. Her research focuses on the application of machine learning methods to astrodynamical applications to achieve greater on-board autonomy for real-time spacecraft guidance and control, with an emphasis on exploring the novel field of human-AI cooperative learning.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and playing the viola.

Associate Editor: Ying Yan is a Ph.D. candidate in the Consumer and Design Sciences. She received her M.I.D. in the Industrial Design program from Auburn University in 2019. She has rich work and research experience in multiple design fields, including industrial design, interior design, consumer behavior, and business. Ying worked at Playcore, a playground company in Chattanooga, as a graduate student and a one-year full-time intern in 2015. Her primary duties included market analysis, competitive research, product development, and support for commercial play and recreation products and programs. Currently, Ying's research focuses on increasing college students' learning motivation. As she develops her research, Ying hopes to promote game-based learning in higher education to bring more fun learning experiences.

Associate Editor: Chenyu is a fourth-year PhD Candidate the Department of Health Outcomes Research and Policy at the Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy. Her research interests include the use of health information technology (HIT) and health behaviors. She is also interested in applying social and behavioral theory to improve patients’ health outcomes. Currently, her research focuses on the implementation of physical activity interventions among university students.

Associate Editor: Sara Schiller graduated from Auburn in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in Music Education and returned to Auburn for graduate school. Sara is currently pursuing her PhD in Music Education and serves as the Administrative Vice President of the Graduate Student Council. Sara’s chosen field of research investigates the positive effect of music education on self-esteem levels in primary aged students.

Associate Editor: Benjamin Jackson is a fifth year Auburn graduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry pursuing a PhD in Chemistry. Benjamin graduate from the University of South Alabama in 2014 with a Bachelor of Chemistry. His graduate work at Auburn University has focused on the use of quantum chemical methods to study systems with diffuse electronic structure with the intent of designing novel catalytic materials for applications in CO2 conversion.

Associate Editor: Shiva Rahmati is a PhD candidate in chemical engineering department with expertise in nanomedicine.

Associate Editor: Jeremiah Pfitzer is a graduate student pursuing his Doctorate in Pharmacology in the Harrison School of Pharmacy at Auburn University. He is currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Faculty Affairs and Strategic Initiatives. His current research projects investigate learning and memory alterations from both prenatal cannabinoid exposure and in novel glutamate modulating prodrugs as Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics. In his spare time, Jeremiah enjoys cooking, working out, and painting.

Associate Editor: Hannah P. Luz is a second-year Master’s student in Communication at Auburn University’s School of Communication and Journalism. Hannah researches in the area of organizational communication, specifically focusing on labor organizing, CCO, and menstrual and reproductive health. She is currently an instructor teaching public speaking, a graduate research assistant, an associate editor for AUJUS, and a senator in the Graduate Student Council. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Auburn University in Spring 2021. After graduating with her Master’s degree, Hannah is planning on pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Communication.

Associate Editor: Ajay Jayswal is a PhD Student in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Auburn University. He has completed his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Tribhuvan University, Nepal in 2017 and MS (Non-Thesis) in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University in 2021. His research interests include additive manufacturing of polymers, computer design of textile-based structures, polymer processing and composites, thermo-mechanical characterization, and finite element modeling (FEM). He has published 5 peer reviewed journal articles and 1 conference article.