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.

Fall 2024 Project Innovation Hub Mentors

Sahil Chib

Major: Information Technology & Management Information Systems

Interests: Programming, Reading and Writing, Poetry, Chess, and Volleyball

Chas Kotti

Major: Computer Science; Minor: Mathematics

Interests: Rowing, Swimming, Movies, and History

Brandon Martin

Major: Aplied Engineering & PDME

Interests: Nuclear Power, Mineral Extraction, Education, Robotics, AI, Automation, and Augmentation

Ask Brandon for help with: Everything related to the lab

Oscar Martinez

Major: Mechanical Engineering; Minor: Mathematics

Interests: Mechanical and Electrical Automotive Design, Audio Design and Fabrication, and Entrepreneurship

Ask Oscar for help with: General Electrical Circuit Analysis, Laser Machines, and Woodworking

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

Madelyn Stilwell

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

Everett Vasquez

Major: Electrical Engineering

Interests: Comedy, Video Games, Guitar

Ask Everett for help with: 3D printing, mill and lathe, laser machines, woodshop tools, soldering, and electronics