Project Innovation Hub Staff

Thatcher Luginbill-Ruder

Project Coordinator & Manufacturing Engineer

Office: John Bardo Center 105B

Laboratory: John Bardo Center 105 | 106 | 203 | 327

Phone: (316) 532-7400

Email: thatcher.luginbill-ruder@wichita.edu

 

 

Richard Sack 

Research Support Manager & Design Engineer

Office: John Bardo Center 203A

Laboratory: John Bardo Center 105 | 106 | 203 | 327

Phone: (316) 204-1341

Email: richard.sack@wichita.edu

 

 

Nathan Smith

Director | Project Innovation Hub

Office: P2 A130

Phone: (316) 978-7461

Email: nathan.smith@wichita.edu 

 

Contact Our Team

Our lab is open to students, faculty, campus partners, and external partners. Whether you're working on a research project, developing a product prototype, or refining an existing design, our team is here to help. For more information on how we can assist with your next project, please see below.

• WSU students, faculty, staff and campus partners: Please use the following link to submit a request for assistance in TDX. ENGR Research or Projects Ticket: Help Me Make Something
• Community partners, makers, and entrepreneurs: Please email Nathan Smith with any questions or requests for quotes and/or services.

Spring 2025 Project Innovation Hub Mentors

Connor Huston

Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering; Minor: Psychology

Interests: Video Games, Psychology, CAD

Ask Connor for help with: 3D Printing, Laser cutting, CAD/CAM, Milling

Andrew Keller

Major: Aerospace Engineering; Minor: Mechanical Engineering 

Interests: Machining(additive and subtractive), Aircraft, Drones, Mechanical design, Music, HomeLab Servers, Motorcycles 

Ask Andrew for help with: Certified A/P Aircraft Mechanic, Mechanical repair, Metalworking, Computer Building 

Chas Kotti

Major: Computer Science; Minor: Mathematics

Interests: Rowing, Swimming, Movies, and History

Elian Laguna

Shocker Design Experience Mentor

Major: Computer Engineering; Minor: Computer Science

Interests: Music, drawing, running, making YouTube videos

Jose Michel-Cano

Major: Aerospace Engineering; Minor: Computer Science & Math

Interests: Aerospace, LEGOs, Automotive, DIY, and 3D Printing

Thalia Prehoda

Lab Leader

Major: Computer Engineering and Animation

Interests: Video Games, Electronics Troubleshooting, Music, Biking, and Drawing

Ask Thalia for help with: Soldering, electronics, mill and lathe, 3D printing, laser machines, and game design

Tina Quach

Major: Computer Engineering

Interests: Chinese, Video Editing, Drawing, Robotics

Ask Tina for help with: Video Editing, Robotics, Circuit Design

Joseph Robertson

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Interests: Design, 3D Printing, Tinkering, Emerging Tech, Server Configuration 

Ask Joseph for help with: 3D Scanning, 3D Printing, and CAD

Hannah Grace Rosario 

Major: Computer Engineering; Minor: Mechanical Engineering

Interests: Rubik's, ASL, Kdramas, Electronics

Patrick Ryan

Major: Aerospace Engineering; Minor: Math

Interests: Gaming, Building LEGOS, hanging out with friends, and participating in my fraternity

Madelyn Stilwell

Shocker Design Experience Mentor

Major: Biomedical Engineering; Minor: Chemistry

Interests: Figure Skating, Painting, Crocheting, Legos, & Biomedical Research

Jeffrey Thomas

Lab Leader

Major: Electrical Enginering

Interests: Content creation, YouTube, Automotive Technology, Theatre, LEGOs and DIY projects

Ask Jeffrey for help with: 3D printing, Fusion 360, video editing, soldering, laser machines, and woodworking