Current PhD Students
Current Students
Advanced Energy Systems
Alex Derenchuk
Advanced Energy Systems
alexander_derenchuk@mines.edu
Advisor: Professor Alexandra Newman (Mechanical Engineering)
Education
- Ph.D. student in Operations Research with Engineering, Colorado School of
Mines (present) - M.Eng. in Operations Research and Analytics, Thayer School of Engineering
at Dartmouth College (2024) - B.E. in Engineering Sciences, Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth
College (2020) - A.B. in Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College (2019)
Research
- Energy Systems Optimization
- Operation of High-VRE Grids
- Power Market Design
Interest
- Skiing
- Biking
- Climbing
- Cooking
Resume
Mechanical Engineering Students
Aaron Swift
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering
aswift@mines.edu
Advisor: Professor Jason Porter (Mechanical Engineering)
Co-advisor: Professor Alexandra Newman (Mechanical Engineering)
Education
- Ph.D. Student in Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (current)
- B.S. in Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (2010)
Research
- Underground Mining Analysis
Interests
- Running
- Cycling
- Photography
Chase Robinson
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering
chase_robinson@mines.edu
Advisor: Professor Paulo Cesar Tabares-Velasco (Mechanical Engineering)
Co-Advisor: Professor Alexandra Newman (Mechanical Engineering)
Co-Advisor: Professor Wale Odukomaiya
Education
- Ph.D. Student in Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (current)
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (2010)
Research
- Building Systems and Building Materials
Interests
- Tubing
- Adventuring
- Traveling
Operations Research with Engineering
Andrew Aikman
Operations Research with Engineering
aaikman@mines.edu
Advisor: Professor Alexandra Newman (Mechanical Engineering)
Education
- Ph.D. student in Operations Research with Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (present)
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (2023)
Research
-
Thermal Modeling and Optimization of Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Systems
-
Battery Optimization for Net-Zero Emission Home Energy Storage Systems
Interests
-
Tennis
-
Snowboarding
-
Reading (mostly nonfiction and historical)
Felix Ayaburi
Operations Research with Engineering
fzayaburi@mines.edu
Advisor: Professor Alexandra Newman (Mechanical Engineering)
Education
- Ph.D. student in Operations Research with Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (present)
- M.S. in Mineral & Energy Economics, Colorado School of Mines, 2024
- BSc. in Petroleum Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 2020
Research
- Optimizing electric vehicle charging station sizing and placement
- Diesel particulate matter emissions measurement from underground mines
Interests
- Soccer
- Travel
- Basketball
John Ayaburi
Operations Research with Engineering
jsayaburi@mines.edu
Advisor: Professor Alexandra Newman (Mechanical Engineering)
Education
- Ph.D. student in Operations Research with Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (present)
- M.S. in Mineral & Energy Economics, Colorado School of Mines (present)
- M.A. in Economics, Youngstown State University, 2018
- B.A. in Economics with Mathematics, University of Ghana, 2016
Research
- Operations research in underground mine production scheduling
Interests
- Travel
- Basketball
- Outdoor activities
Jennifer DiCarlo
Operations Research with Engineering
jdicarlo@mymail.mines.edu
Advisor: Professor Bill Eustes (Petroleum Engineering)
Education
- Ph.D. student in Operations Research with Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (present)
- M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (June 2003)
- B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering and Astronautical Engineering, Math Minor, US Air Force Academy (May 2001)
Research
- Concentrated solar power systems optimization
Interests
- Triathlon
- Latin
- Animal rescue
- Hiking
Justin Kilb
Operations Research with Engineering
justinkilb@mines.edu
Advisor: Professor Alexandra Newman (Mechanical Engineering)
Education
- Ph.D. student in Operations Research with Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (present)
- M.S. in Data Science, University of California, Berkeley
- B.S. in Petroleum Engineering
- Diploma Petroleum Engineering Technology
- Diploma New Media Production & Design
Research
- Mathematical optimization of energy systems
Interests
- Music production
- Mountain biking
- Volleyball
- Math!
Raymond Kudzawu-DpHerdd
Operations Research with Engineering
raymond_kudzawu-dpherdd@mines.edu
Advisor: Professor Alexandra Newman (Mechanical Engineering)
Education
- Ph.D. student in Operations Research with Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (present)
- M.S. in Industrial Finance and Investment, KNUST, 2021
- M.S. in Petroleum Geoscience, University of Ghana, Legon, 2010
- B.S. in Earth Science (Geology Major), University of Ghana, Legon, 2004
Short-Term Professional Development Certificates from: Australia National University, University of Pretoria, University of Queensland, University of Ottawa
Research
- Operations research in environmental metrics for sustainable mining
Interests
- Bedroom DJ (Amapiano enthusiast)
- Globe Trotting (Traveling)
- Cooking
- Theatre
Jenifer McClary
Operations Research with Engineering
jenifermcclary@mines.edu
Advisor: Professor Alexandra Newman (Mechanical Engineering)
Education
- Ph.D. student in Operations Research with Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (present)
- M.S. in Applied Statistics, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, 2019
- B.S. in Mathematical Studies, United States Military Academy, West
Point, NY, 2009
Research
- Steel Production Schedule Optimization
Interests
- Skiing
- Road and mountain biking
- Wine education and tasting
- Glamping
Resume
Kat Tomon
Operations Research with Engineering
ktomon@mines.edu
Advisor: Professor Alexandra Newman (Mechanical Engineering)
Education
- Ph.D. student in Operations Research with Engineering, Colorado School of Mines
- M.S. in student in Operations Research with Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 2022
- B.S. in Chemical Engineering, minor in McBride Honors Public Affairs, Colorado School of Mines, 2017
Research
- Energy Systems Optimization
Interests
- Formula One
- Drinking Coffee
- Track and Field
- Hiking
- Podcasts and Reading
Edikan Udofia
Operations Research with Engineering
edikanudofia@mines.edu
Advisor: Professor Alexandra Newman (Mechanical Engineering)
Education
- Ph.D. student in Operations Research with Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (present)
- B.S. (Hons) in Computer Science, University of the Western Cape (2010)
- B.S. in Computer Science, University of the Western Cape (2009)
Research
- Industrial Scale Prediction Modeling
- Production Scheduling
Interests
- Music
- Cooking
- Reading Autobiographies
- Watching Documentaries