From Classroom to Cutting Edge – Real-World Solutions from the College of Engineering and Computer Science
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Walk through the halls of the university’s Dr. Robert R. Furgason Engineering Building, and you’ll hear the sounds of innovation in motion — keyboards clacking, drones buzzing, 3D printers humming, and the crackle of sparks as metal meets machine. These aren’t just class projects, they’re potential breakthroughs. In the College of Engineering and Computer Science, “groundbreaking” isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a promise.
“Our students are fearlessly engaging in bold, hands-on projects — from competing in Formula 1 car racing and building a full-scale rocket engine to excelling in cybersecurity competitions,” said Dr. David Ma, Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “Also, in the last year, our college secured 10 research grants totaling $7 million, marking yet another historic milestone. This momentum has also led to the recent awarding of two U.S. patents.”
Among those leading the way on the innovation front is electrical engineering major Brenden Oller ’25. With support from a Texas General Land Office research grant, the 21-year-old has helped develop an early flood warning system. Now, for his capstone project, he’s designing and building specialized drones — another step in a promising engineering career.
“My team and I are building a system of autonomous aerial and ground drones capable of reconnaissance and surveillance tasks for the Department of Defense,” Oller said. “Our drones will be capable of mapping an unknown terrain and identifying hazards and obstacles for military personnel, but this tech has uses in multiple industries.”
Oller said his time at TAMU-CC has been transformative.
“Being an Islander has developed my professional and technical skills far beyond what I imagined,” Oller said. “As president of both the Islander Energy Club and the Islander Engineering and Computer Science Council, I’ve gained leadership experience to help me in my next steps after graduation. In fact, I’ve already accepted a job as a product engineer with Texas Instruments.”
Groundbreaking work is also being done in the university’s Advanced Materials for Sustainable Infrastructure Laboratory (AMSI), led by Dr. Nancy Soliman, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering. There, you’ll find Mazen Hassan ’25 and Fazal Hussain ’25, civil engineering master’s students working to develop sustainable, energy-efficient construction materials.
“I hope this research will lead to the widespread use of smart concrete in real world infrastructure that can self-regulate its temperature and store renewable energy,” Hussain said. “For example, roads made with self-heating concrete could prevent ice formation in cold climates, reducing accidents and maintenance costs. Similarly, buildings with energy-storing foundations could directly integrate solar energy, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions.”
The pair, with help from Soliman, recently established the American Concrete Institute student chapter at TAMU-CC, with the goal of driving innovation, sustainability, and growth within the concrete industry to ensure it maintains its relevance and success for future generations.
Mechanical engineering major Alison Tomlinson ’26, a Houston native, has made her mark at TAMU-CC by founding and leading three student organizations: the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, and the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists. Additionally, she serves as the event coordinator and director of external affairs for the Islander Engineering and Computer Science Council.
“Building these organizations wasn’t just about creating clubs — it was about creating opportunities,” Tomlinson said.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science now boasts 23 student organizations, a threefold increase from three years ago.
A clear sign of the college’s growing impact is the success Islander students have achieved at national competitions. Leading the charge are the students of the Islander Cyber Society, a student organization founded in 2024 that’s already establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with on the national stage.
“When I arrived on campus, I noticed there wasn’t yet a dedicated cybersecurity student group. So, we rolled up our sleeves and started one,” said Lewis Heuermann, a TAMU-CC computer science adjunct professor. “It’s been incredible watching the students come together and shape it into something special.”
In its short tenure, the Islander Cyber Society has earned top-tier national and international recognition. Most recently, the team ranked 13th out of more than 500 colleges and universities in the spring 2025 season of the National Cyber League Competition, making it the highest ranked school in Texas. The club also placed in the top 7.7% of over 8,000 teams worldwide in the Hack the Box CTF competition, a global hacking event where they competed not only against fellow students but also against seasoned professional security testers and hackers.
“I always believe our students here are equal to if not better than students going to MIT and other top schools,” Ma said. “The talent level is high, and the success at these competitions proves it.”
The college’s expansion continues to grow with the new and recent launch of the Coastal Bend Midstream Program, an initiative designed to forge strong partnerships with the midstream energy sector. This program has already led to the creation of new scholarships for Islander students and is paving the way for future research collaborations between industry and academia.
“The industry that surrounds us provides our students with invaluable hands-on experience in the very environments where they will eventually work,” Ma said. “You don’t become an engineer by simply reading about bridges — you build them, test them, and learn from the process. That’s where true understanding takes root. Ultimately, learning becomes meaningful when it leads to action — when it empowers students to create, innovate, and lead with purpose.”
