‘alumni’
Somtochukwu Dimobi Okoye, BE’19, creates allyships to help others realize their potential
Mar. 3, 2023—By Amy Wolf When Somto Dimobi Okoye, BE’19, was growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, her mother would open their home to people who needed help—instilling a philosophy of building strength and community through a tightly woven support system. “Even if we had one piece of chicken, she’d cut that chicken into 13 equal pieces,” Okoye...
VU engineering alumnus named 2023 Schwarzman Scholar
Dec. 10, 2021—Aaron Niederman, BS’20, has been named to the 2023 class of Schwarzman Scholars. He is one of 151 scholars chosen from more than 3,000 applicants representing 33 countries and 106 universities. The Schwarzman Scholars Program, among the world’s most prestigious graduate fellowships, brings together the best minds from around the world to study the economic,...
Alumni-founded phone case company expands finishes and future plans
Jul. 30, 2021—An alumni-owned company that developed copper-based phone cases amid the COVID-19 pandemic has set its long-term sights on antimicrobial coatings for door handles, railings and other high-touch surfaces in public spaces. Aeris Copper also rebranded and added new phone case finishes to its product offerings. The company, now called Alloi, has expanded into mixed metal...
Computer engineering alum was entrepreneur, Vanderbilt supporter
May. 20, 2021—Allen X. Romero, BE’99, an entrepreneur and consultant, died May 16, 2021, as a result of a hit-and-run accident in Great Falls, Virginia. Romero, 43, of McLean, Virginia, was the founder of Hang Local Labs, Inc. in 2011, a mission-based U.S. company engaged in the research, design, development, marketing and sales of the Hang Local...
How to be a hydroponic farmer: Expert advice from agricultural entrepreneur Hassan Sharaff, BE’07
Apr. 21, 2021—One tip: Think like an engineer “Everything I’ve learned, I’ve learned the hard way,” laughs Hassan Sharaff, BE’07, gesturing to, well, everything: the polyethylene greenhouse walls with a soaring aluminum frame, torqued by last year’s derecho winds, and tray after tray of arugula, basil, kale and lettuce shoots, drinking in diffuse winter sunlight, tropical humidity...
Marine engineering leader, Vanderbilt alum elected to NAE
Feb. 11, 2021—Christopher J. Wiernicki (BE’80) has been elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering for innovative leadership in the design, engineering, and operation of ships and offshore structures. Wiernicki is chairman, president and CEO of ABS and chairman of the ABS Group of Companies, Inc. He previously served as chairman of the International Association of...
Alumnus Corey Thomas and Senior Somto Dimobi elected to Board of Trust
Apr. 22, 2019—The Vanderbilt Board of Trust has elected two members who are alumni, or soon will be, of the School of Engineering. Senior Somto C. Dimobi was elected as a Young Alumni Leader for a two-year term to begin July 1, 2022, following her three-year term on the board of the Vanderbilt Alumni Association. Also, Corey...
Alumna named CTO of the Year by Nashville Tech Council
Mar. 27, 2019—The Nashville Technology Council named Michelle Miller, MS ’03, 2019 CTO of the Year. Miller is a co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Centauri Health Solutions, a health care technology analytics and services company. Nashville serves as the primary data center for all Centauri lines of business and the product development hub for all its...