Graduate Researchers

Ph.D. Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Belton, TX
Email: jackson.rahm@tamu.edu

Jack Rahm is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University since Fall 2025. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology – Mechatronics, with minors in Mathematics and Embedded Systems Integration. During undergraduate studies, his research focused on composite impact strength, development of experimental composite 3D printing methods, vibrational measurement systems, and hypersonic impact diagnostic techniques.

Now, as a graduate student with the Hypervelocity Impact Laboratory, Jack intends to focus on the development and application of electronic systems for hypervelocity impact research. He also intends to further pursue research into hypervelocity impacts in composite and aerospace applications.

 

Masters Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Fully Trained 2SLGG Gunner

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Belton, TX
Email: deanbiava@tamu.edu

Dean Biava is a Master’s of Science student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. He completed his Bachelor’s of Science at TAMU in May of 2024. Dean originally joined the HVIL team as an undergraduate researcher in January of 2022. During his time working with the lab and his internship with NASA Langley/Carbon-Carbon Advanced Technologies, he has developed an interest in carbon/carbon composites and hypervelocity impacts and plans to continue his research in these subjects.

 

 

Masters Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Friendswood, TX
Email: mwiest@tamu.edu

Mikayla Wiest is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, having completed her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering there in May 2024. While receiving her bachelor’s degree, Mikayla participated as undergraduate research assistant in the HVIL. She received the J. Mike Walker ’66 Impact Award in the Fall of 2024 in recognition of academic and innovative excellence. Mikayla plans to continue her research at the HVIL with a focus in diagnostic equipment development and its applications to micrometeoroid/orbital debris impacts.

Ph.D. Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Fully Trained 2SLGG Gunner

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Los Angeles
Email: gkkawaguchi@tamu.edu

Garrett is a Ph.D. student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. He graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. During his undergraduate studies he engaged in research which investigated the use of shear-thickening-fluids intercalated in soft body armors to improve their energy absorption characteristics under high strain-rate conditions. Now a member of the HVIL, he intends to focus his research efforts on developing protective structures and components to mitigate the effects of various hypersonic weapons.

Ph.D. Candidate, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
Fully Trained 2SLGG Gunner

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Stephenville, TX
Email: siddavis424@tamu.edu

Sidney Davis is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, since Fall 2022. He holds a Dual B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from Tarleton State University, where his research focused on experimental ion beam analysis and various forms of mathematical, physics, and disease modeling.

Currently, Sidney’s research is centered on the hypervelocity impact response of aerospace composite materials, employing a combined experimental and computational approach. He has experience running finite element and hydrocodes to study the response of composites, metals, and other materials under hypervelocity impact conditions. Additionally, Sidney is working on advancing high-rate diagnostic techniques to measure critical parameters in high-rate impacts and hypersonics.

Undergraduate researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Email: nathandrakeviii@tamu.edu

Nathaniel is a senior mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University. After graduation, he plans to pursue additional graduate degrees in both business and engineering. Both his current research work with the two stage light-gas gun and his previous material science research with the U.S. Army Research Laboratories support his long term goals of providing tools for modern warfighters to allow them to execute tasks safely and effectively. Nathaniel is excited to continue his hypervelocity impact research and find new ways to help extend the test capabilities at HVIL.

Ph.D. Candidate, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
Fully Trained 2SLGG Gunner

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Satara, MH, India
Email: aniket.mote@tamu.edu

Aniket is a Ph.D. student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering studying composite materials for extreme environments. Aniket’s interest in composite materials was stimulated by his work on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Advanced Composite Floor-Beam (ACFB) program. After completing his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Shivaji University, India in June 2011, Aniket got involved in Manufacturing Engineering activities with the ACFB program. Well versed with the establishing manufacturing controls around carbon-fiber/epoxy prepreg composite manufacturing, addressing quality engineering aspects and affirming multiple standardized quality management systems for the aerospace industry, Aniket was motivated to further his formal education in composite materials at Mississippi State University (MSU). Here, he graduated with a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering under the guidance of Dr. Thomas E. Lacy Jr. in December 2018. At MSU, while supporting the research related to lightning strike effects on stitched composites, Aniket worked on his master’s thesis (co-advised by Dr. James C. Newman Jr.) addressing the ASTM Standard E647 threshold fatigue crack-growth test procedures. At Texas A&M, Aniket is interested in establishing state-of-the-art and pursuing research in thermoplastic stitched composite materials.

Ph.D. Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: The Colony, TX
Email: murtaughm@tamu.edu

Max is a re-entering graduate student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering. He began his Ph.D. track in the Fall of 2021 with a focus on computational mechanics and intends to research hypervelocity impacts under Dr. Thomas Lacy Jr.