Team

I received my B.S. in Civil Engineering from The Ohio State University and then went on to pursue a Ph.D. at Purdue University, where I studied mechanical metamaterials and bioinspired materials. Metamaterials are engineered to have novel properties not found in natural materials. I then worked for approximately two years at the University of Oxford, applying this knowledge to the design of deployable medical devices. These experiences showed me the versatility of civil engineering education. I enjoy working with students just as much as conducting research, and invite students interested in developing innovative structures to apply to join my lab.

Li Wan

Li Wan is a second-year Ph.D. student majoring in Structural Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. He received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Southeast University in China, where he conducted in-depth research on origami metamaterials. In the future, he plans to focus on creating mechanical metamaterials and advanced structures that exhibit innovative properties such as metastability, reversible energy absorption abilities, and responsive behavior to external stimuli.

Sibo Zhang

Sibo Zhang is a first-year Ph.D. student in Structural Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. He holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from Southeast University in China, where he conducted extensive research on steel structures and advanced metal materials. With a deep interest in the convergence of structural engineering, materials science, and computer science, he aspires to develop next-generation, performance-driven metamaterials, and advanced structures through innovative manufacturing technologies and computational tools.

Devin Young

Devin is a first-year PhD student in Structural Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, with a keen interest in utilizing architected materials and deployable structures for extraterrestrial construction.

Chaisiri Okoun (Johnnie)

Chaisiri Okoun (Johnnie) is a distinguished alumnus of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang, Bangkok, where he graduated with first-class honors in civil engineering. During his undergraduate studies, Johnnie focused on structural design research at the Computational Laboratory. Following graduation, he served in the Thai Department of Highways for two years, contributing to bridge design and construction projects. After completing his Master’s degree at The University of Texas at Austin, he continued on to pursue a Ph.D., developing advanced computational tools to guide the design of sustainable materials and structures. His commitment to advancing the field of structural engineering remains unwavering.

Sofia Leal Cavazos

Sofia is a Master’s student in Structural Engineering with a strong interest in parametric design, materials science, and biomimetic architecture. Her research focuses on designing novel architected materials for nature-based solutions, where she integrates structural performance with ecological function. She is passionate about advancing sustainable design through the intersection of engineering, material innovation, and natural systems.

Jacob Gamboa

Jacob Gamboa is a graduate student in Structural Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, building on a strong foundation established through his B.S. in Architectural Engineering from Texas A&M University. He brings valuable industry experience, having contributed to structural analysis, design, and project coordination across a variety of commercial and institutional projects. His expertise includes advanced proficiency in structural analysis software along with practical experience in reinforced concrete and steel design. Jacob is recognized for his strong work ethic, leadership, and collaborative spirit, and he remains actively involved in several professional organizations. Driven by a passion for innovative design and a commitment to continuous learning, he strives to make lasting contributions to the resilience and advancement of the built environment.

Kelvin Nguyen

Kelvin Nguyen is a third-year Environmental Engineering student at UT Austin with a strong interest in materials science and structural engineering, particularly in the context of environmental and sustainable applications.

Emilio Repetto-Ayala

Emilio is a third-year Architectural Engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin with a strong passion for architected materials, material science, and their structural applications in space construction.

Darin Pi

Darin is a 3rd-year Civil Engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin, with a keen interest in ocean and structural engineering, focusing on offshore and coastal applications.

Antony J Sutanto

Antony graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in Spring 2023 and earned his Master’s degree from MIT in 2024. He is currently working as a Graduate Structural Engineer at Arup.

Sergio M Diaz

Sergio received his Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from UT and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Structural Engineering.

Ganiat Ogidan

Ganiat Ogidan is a third-year Civil Engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin.

Dhruv Srivastava

Dhruv is an undergraduate sophomore Aerospace Engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin.

Nida Virabalin

Nida graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in Spring 2023.  She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at Texas A&M.

Jennifer Xue

Jennifer was an undergraduate research assistant majoring in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. During her time in the lab, she worked on the development of architected materials for external prostheses designed to support women recovering from breast cancer. Her research combined engineering innovation with human-centered design to address post-treatment rehabilitation needs. In Fall 2025, she transferred to Columbia University to continue her academic journey.

Ethan Ng

Ethan Ng earned his Master of Science in Structural Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin in May 2025, completing a thesis titled “Design Framework for Nature-Inspired Architected Coastal Resilient Eco-Structures (NACREs).” Following graduation, he joined Thornton Tomasetti in Dallas, Texas, where he now works as a Structural Forensic Engineer.

Marc Damien

Marc earned his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the American University of Beirut (AUB). In Summer 2024, he joined the Mechanics and Architected Structures Lab (MASLab) at The University of Texas at Austin as a research intern, where he contributed to projects on advanced materials and structural systems. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

I am looking for Ph.D. , MS, and Undergraduate students to join my lab! If you are interested in joining MASLab, please email Dr. Zhang with your CV and research interests.