The MSEC program trains students for a wide array of industry and academic jobs. Our alumni have gone on to establish distinguished careers and, building upon the MSEC focus on commercialization, launched new businesses. We strive to stay connected with our alumni, so please do not hesitate to contact us at MSEC@txstate.edu.
Our Alumni
64% Of MSEC graduates go on to work in the industry
31% Of MSEC graduates go on to work in academia
5% Of MSEC graduates go on to be self-employed
They were very intrigued, it's a really good aspect that no one else is offering.
-Tijani Mohammed: When asked what the impact of the commercialization aspect of MSEC was on his post-graduation job interview.
MSEC Alumni - Where Are They Now?
Dr. Tanjina Ahmed
Dr. Ahmed graduated in 2023 and joined Intel Corporation, NM in April 2023 as a Process Development Engineer. She is currently working as a Module Development Engineer with a group under the Silicon Photonics (SiP) department at Intel Corporation, Albuquerque, NM. In her position, she helps develop new semiconductor processing techniques to make photonics devices, utilizing her Physics and Materials Science and Engineering knowledge. Prior to joining Intel, she worked as a doctoral research/teaching assistant from 2018 to 2023 for the MSEC program under the supervision of Dr. Wilhelmus J. Geerts and Dr. Alexander Zakhidov. During her Ph.D. in the MSEC Program she gained valuable hands-on experience in the fabrication and characterization of novel magnetic and optoelectronics materials with applications in advanced technologies. These experiences on different metrology tools and analysis skills in the MSEC program allowed her to contribute to the cutting edge of the semiconductor industry.
Dr. Raju Ahmed
Dr. Ahmed graduated in the spring of 2018 and joined Micron Technology in Boise, Idaho, where he is currently working as a Senior R&D Process Development Engineer. Prior to joining Micron, he worked as a doctoral research assistant from 2014 to 2018 for the MSEC program under the supervision of Dr. Edwin Piner and Dr. Mark Holtz. During his US Army Research Office-funded Ph.D. research, he developed a novel method for direct metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of crystalline GaN on polycrystalline diamond. Dr. Ahmed is the author of 5 US patents and 15 journal articles. His current research interests include EUV and immersion lithography, semiconductor memory, MOCVD growth of nitride semiconductors, and CVD diamond.
Dr. Mahmuda Monne
Dr. Monne graduated from the MSEC Program in Spring of 2022 with her dissertation on Printed and Flexible Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) Switch for High-Frequency Applications. She is currently serving as a Senior Scientist at Applied Materials in Sunnyvale, CA, where she is playing a pivotal role in developing cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing tools, particularly focusing on the hybrid inkjet system.
Prior to joining Applied Materials, Dr. Monne honed her expertise as an Applications Scientist at Electroninks Inc. in Austin, TX, where she worked on developing particle free Metal-organic inks for printed and flexible electronics application, and gained valuable experience in the practical application of innovative technologies. With a passion for pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration and a commitment to driving technological advancements, Dr. Monne is dedicated to contributing to the forefront of semiconductor manufacturing and shaping the future of the industry.
Dr. Xu Wang
Dr. Xu Wang graduated in 2021 and is now a Senior Scientist at C2N Diagnostics in St. Louis, MO, specializing in the development of LC-MS/MS-based assays to quantify biomarkers in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. During his studies, he interned at Biogen in Cambridge, MA, where he developed novel material characterization methods for RNA drugs.
Dr. Joyce Anderson
Dr. Anderson graduated in 2020 and is currently a Research Associate for Shared Research Operations (SRO) at Texas State University. In this role, she manages two research lab spaces (RFM 1202 & 1203) focused primarily on optical microscopy, electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, and spectroscopy. She is currently in the process of outfitting an additional lab space (Supple 237) which will house a variety of tools dedicated to sample preparation. Throughout the year, the SRO team, with the help of undergraduate and graduate student workers, train users on how to safely operate instruments and interpret data. Additionally, the team performs regular maintenance on equipment, troubleshoots problems, and develops application notes for advanced measurements. The SRO laboratories support both research efforts as well as coursework and community outreach. In February 2024, Dr. Anderson served as program chairperson for the Texas Society for Microscopy (TSM) annual meeting held at Texas State, which attracted over 150 researchers and industry experts from across the state of Texas. She currently serves on the executive board of TSM as secretary.
Dr. Anwar Siddique
Dr. Siddique graduated in 2019 and is currently a Yield Analysis Engineer with the group OTF Yield Department at Intel Corporation in Ocotillo, Arizona. Dr. Siddique recently published "Improved Electrical Properties of AIGaN/GaN High-Electron-Mobility Transistors by In Situ Tailoring the SiNx Passivation Layer" in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, which can be found here.
Dr. Tugba Yildiz
Dr. Yildiz graduated in 2017, continuing her training at the University of Minnesota and Johns Hopkins University as a Postdoctoral Fellow. She then worked at Kalocyte Inc. as a Formulation Scientist leading liposomal formulations for developing artificial red blood cells. Currently, she is a Formulation Scientist at Senda Biosciences in Cambridge, MA.
Dr. Hyunhwan Kim
Dr. Kim completed his doctoral studies in 2016, after which he was immediately hired as a lecturer at Texas State University. His dedication to teaching and research led to his promotion to Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Technology. Notably, Dr. Kim is the first graduate of the Master of Science in Engineering (MSEC) program to be nominated as a member of the MSEC doctoral faculty, a testament to his expertise and contributions to the field. His research primarily focuses on the performance evaluation of asphalt pavement materials. His work involves analyzing various factors that impact the durability and functionality of asphalt pavements, which are crucial for infrastructure development and maintenance. In addition, Dr. Kim is working on the microstructural properties of asphalt binders, exploring how these properties influence the overall behavior of asphalt mixtures. His research is paving the way for innovations in pavement engineering, with the potential to improve the longevity and quality of roadways.
Dr. Michael Opoku
Dr. Opoku graduated in 2019 and is the CEO and co-founder of SurgePower Materials, Inc, which was initially developed in MSEC Boot Camp. SurgePower Materials is an eco-friendly startup that produces graphene, a high-quality specialty carbon.
My time was transformative. MSEC has fostered an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset that I will carry with me throughout my career.
-Kushal Thapa