Spring 2026 Academic Associates

Jon Filreis

Jon is a “semi-retired” engineer, project leader, business manager, technology developer, and lifelong learner. Jon has had a long career in high technology industries from entry level mechanical engineering in medical companies to growing new business areas in electronics companies. Over the many years of helping to advance new technologies toward critical applications in medical, national defense, space, and communications industries, Jon has evaluated technologies, worked with researchers and developers, and helped make well founded decisions in the best interests of the companies, customers, and other stakeholders in the ventures. Jon has evolved into a new phase after over 45 years of full-time work, focusing on STEM and environmental volunteering, new generations of his family, and other interests, as well as part time consulting in both commercial and government applications. The volunteering aspect of “semi-retirement” has become a very rewarding part of Jon’s journey. A major part of that is mentoring future generations of technologists to navigate the challenges and opportunities that they may encounter. This part of his journey started over 30 years ago as a referee for Lego robot contests and has evolved to include entrepreneurial mentoring programs for junior engineers and supporting STEM programs in schools.

Skills : Project management, business leadership, developing and evaluating new technology and designs, proposal writing, woodworking

Cody Gillespie

I am a former software engineer with five years of industry experience. I was a member of EPICS for two years during my undergraduate degree. I graduated from ASU in December of 2019 with a degree in Computer Science and worked at a small embedded systems company after graduating. I lead the software team at my previous job and I have a broad range of experience ranging from the low level (C, C++, Assembly) to the high level (C#, Python, Machine Learning). In October of last year I pivoted towards a career in law and took a position in the government. I love engineers and value the mentorship both as a mentor and as a mentee and I am over the moon to be able to be involved with EPICS again!

Skills: Software development, Team dynamics

Jordan Walker

Gabe Gerbic

I have worked as a judge for EPICS in the past and that lead me to become a mentor, in order to help students in their iteration process. I have a background in biomechanics, exercise physiology and anatomy & physiology. I have taught exercise science and nutrition for years within the Maricopa CC system and look forward to being able to help students with any projects where I can be of added value.

Skills: Biomechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, strength and conditioning

 

 

Raymond Barakat

Raymond Barakat is an electrical engineer with expertise in satellite and space technologies. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Arizona State University. While at ASU, he took 2 semesters of EPICS and contributed to the design of CubeSats including Phoenix and LightCube. Raymond currently works as a Lead Hardware Engineer at Moog Inc., developing avionics hardware for satellites and space systems.

Skills : Circuit Design, LTspice, PSPICE, Test Hardware, PCB Design, Embedded processors

 

 

 

Lien White

Forks Up & Fight On! Lien holds a bachelor’s in robotics engineering from Arizona State University-Polytechnic & a master’s in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California. For years she worked as an electrical engineer testing space electronics for Raytheon Space & Intelligence (RTX) in Los Angeles. Lien currently leads electrical engineering design & construction for Intel Corporation’s foundry in Chandler. While her experience with EPICS is none (until now!), her history of leading strong engineering projects & teams in a variety of fields since college is what makes her a reliable resource for all things electrical engineering & design management.
Skills: Electronics testing & procurement, printed circuit board design, one-line/single-line diagrams, mathematics, soldering, C++, Arduino, power engineering, engineering design leadership, customer communications & documentation. 

Tilak Raj Thanga Raj

I’m Tilak Raj Thanga Raj, an engineering founder working at the intersection of robotics, AI, and energy systems. I’ve built and deployed real-world robotic and autonomy systems, with experience spanning perception, control, and learning-based decision-making. My work focuses on modern robotics concepts like state estimation, planning, and meta-learning for adaptive systems. I’m excited to bring a systems-level, hands-on perspective to EPICS skill sessions that connect theory to real deployment challenges.

Skills : Robotics Systems Design Computer Vision Rapid Prototyping Project Management

 

Dylan Urbanski

I am currently a Building Mechanical engineer that specializes in Water Treatment facilities, Wastewater Treatment facilities, and Pump Stations. Most of my work revolves around creating climate conditions that allow for these facilities to be able to produce, cleanse, or pump water to major municipalities all over the United States. I use AutoDesk Inventor, Revit, and AutoCAD for modeling and plan curation along with Carrier Hourly Analysis program to calculate temperature and humidity conditions within various spaces and rooms. I am currently working on different pump stations but I plan to grow into a more senior mechanical position and grow my team.

Skills: SolidWorks, Inventor, Revit, AutoCAD, Microsoft Suite, Carrier Hourly Analysis Program, Project Management, Specification Writing, Engineering Plans, Fluid Mechanics, Plumbing design, HVAC design, Heat Transfer

Stacy Kalisz Johnson

Stacy Kalisz Johnson, founder of Impress Marketing Group, leads with a passion for nurturing careers. With an array of services, Stacy empowers rapid career advancement. Stacy currently serves as a Solutions Program Manager at Keysight Technologies. Stacy holds a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a Master Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University.

Skills : Project management, empowered leadership, creative thinking, strategic thinking, problem solving, time management, AI prompt engineering, public speaking, networking

 

Mike Amato

I have experience working in smaller companies and startups, primarily within the edTech industry. Currently, I work in AI Product at Edplus and develop teacher tools in my free time, focusing on project-based learning environments in schools. I also create STEM kits through my 501c3 organization, Kids Should Make Things. I participated in EPICS for a year during my undergrad and spent most semesters as a TA, focusing on project-based environments.

Skills: Prototyping and Iterative Design, STEM Education, Video Editing, Mockup, Hardware and Software, Connecting with Users

 

 

Miles Mabey

I’ve worked in the automation field for the last 3 years with several large name companies. I focus on custom AI and Low/No Code implementations. Back in college I did 3 semesters of EPICs for the GCSP program. We focused on building model houses from around the world on the Poly campus.

Skills: Automation, AI, Software Development, Solution Consulting, Business Development

 

Paul Balch

Paul Blach is an academic associate for the Spring 2025 semester of EPICS.

Skills:Civil, MBA

 

Peter Fischer

Peter Fischer joined EPICS in 2022 as a Community Partner on two team projects, and now returns for his 4th semester as Industry Mentor. Peter holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor in Architecture from Arizona State University. Peter has been working towards inclusive accessible design for over two decades serving on the Phoenix Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues from 2006 to 2010, and as the City of Phoenix’s City-wide ADA Coordinator for five years. Today, Peter is the Coordinator of Accessibility Compliance at Arizona State University where he reviews construction design and plans for accessibility compliance to enhance ASU’s progressive vision of accessibility innovation.

Can Emden

I graduated from Arizona State University in 2022 with a Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering, and I have a strong passion for the aerospace industry. Currently, I work at Honeywell Aerospace as an Advanced Manufacturing Engineer, where I support propulsion products. I specialize in program cost estimations, metal manufacturing methods, and supply chain solutions.

Skills : Excel, Visual Basic Applications (VBA), Additive Manufacturing, Project & Process Engineering, Requirement Writing, Budgeting, Cost Estimations.

 

Tyson Elias

Tyson Elias is an associate vice president within enterprise architecture governance at MUFG Bank, Ltd. As an additional part of his role, he is involved with business system administration, standing to production an architecture strategy tool that will improve app rationalization and change-impact planning. Although having received his B.S.E. in Industrial Engineering in 2021, has now pursued an MBA that will be completed by the end of this term. Outside of work and school, Tyson enjoys watching movies, cooking some of his favorite meals, and playing pickleball.