Tim Deppen completed the PhD program in the Mechanical Science and Engineering department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Spring 2013. His research focused on modeling and control of complex systems and he has 4 years of systems engineering experience. He has prior work experience with Boeing, the U.S. Navy, and Deere & Company.

Nishana Ismail obtained her masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2013 and a Bachelors degree from National Institute of Technology Calicut. Her research interests include nano-electro-opto mechanics and micro/nano-electro mechanical systems. Prior to completing her Masters program she was a product engineering trainee with Deere & Company, India.