Mr. Nikunj Darji, Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Mr. Nikunj Darji is a Mechanical Engineer with over 16 years of experience in the nuclear industry. He earned his B.S. in Mechatronics Engineering in India and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with honors from the University of Bridgeport, CT, in 2008. He began his career at Holtec International as a Design Engineer, developing conceptual designs for nuclear ancillary equipment in compliance with ASME, ANSI, and NUREG standards. Notably, he designed a seismic restraint system for the Salem Nuclear Power Plant in New Jersey. He now serves as Engineering Manager – Mechanical Design, Nuclear Power Division at Holtec International. Mr. Darji lives in Voorhees, NJ, with his wife and two daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys photography, particularly portraits, and is passionate about continuous learning and sharing knowledge with others.

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Mr. Michael Konyak, Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering

I am an innovation leader, an accomplished and effective public speaker, a proven expert in my field, a published author, a volunteer for social justice, and I have a reputation for achieving results. I have a Master's degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with more than 30 years as an aeronautical engineer and systems analyst, 25 years with the FAA Technical Center, 15 years as an engineering manager, and 25 years as an adjunct professor. My engineering expertise includes modeling and simulation of air vehicles, control system design, and aerodynamic design and analysis.

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Mr. Stephen (Steve) M. Kozachyn III, Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Stephen Kozachyn, MBA, PMP, is the Executive Director of External Affairs for the Rohrer College of Business at Rowan University. With a master's degree in business administration and advanced degrees in mechanical engineering and engineering management, he is a skilled instructor in the engineering and business disciplines. He has 25 years of industry experience in developing over 300 successful consumer products. He has developed children's toys for Tyco Toys, Mattel Toys and Empire Industries (Big Wheel, Slip-n-Slide). Mr. Kozachyn's experience includes engineering, project management and operational disciplines.

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Mr. John Shoffner, Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Mr. Shoffner has over three decades in the thermal processing and material handling industry. Primary responsibilities included machine design, electrical control, airflow, heat transfer, burner management, materials selection, and power transmission. Other responsibilities included training engineers in my teams.

Bühler Group: Sr. Mechanical Project Engineer / Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer Thermal Processing Division. Retired

Sr. Mechanical Project Engineer for the world’s largest Rayon convection drying equipment.

Co designed and patented a seal for non-lubricated cohesive and abrasive dry materials.

Designed a pressure relieving door latch approved by Factory Mutual Global (hazardous area applications).

Current goals are to assist students in their transition from academia to an engineer.

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Dr. Christoforos Somarakis, Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Christoforos Somarakis received his Bachelors and Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with major in Communications and Control, from the National Technical of Athens, Greece. He holds a Master of Science, and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Somarakis has 9 years of professional experience in various academic and industrial research positions. He has served as a Lecturer and Research Scientist with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, at Lehigh University. In addition, he has been member of research staff with the Intelligent Systems Laboratory at Palo Alto Research Center - Xerox. He is currently a Senior Scientist with the Applied Mathematics and Modelling Group at Merck & Co.. Dr. Somarakis' research interests include but are not limited to Dynamical System Theory, Networked Control and Optimization, AI-enabled System Diagnostics, Reduced order Modelling and Digital Twins. He is the author of 10+ journals and 40+ peer-reviewed conference papers in the area of Systems and Control, and he is a co-inventor of 5 patents.