Orlando M. Ayala, Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Research
Old Dominion University
Orlando Ayala, a Cum Laude graduate with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad de Oriente (Venezuela) in 1995, obtained his MS in Mechanical Engineering in 2001 and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 2005 from the University of Delaware (USA). Currently serving as the endowed Ray Ferrari Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, he joined ODU in 2013. He was recently appointed as the ODU Director of Undergraduate Research. Prior to his tenure at ODU, Dr. Ayala spent three years as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Delaware. His research focuses on multiphase flow simulation, high-performance parallel computing, scientific computation, and engineering education. He has taught courses in Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, Multiphase Flows, and Mechanical Engineering Labs. Dr. Ayala possesses valuable industry exposure, having worked with engineering consulting firms on diverse projects, spanning petroleum, natural gas, brewing, and newspaper industries. He has actively contributed to professional organizations like ASME, notably in the Committee of Spanish Translation of ASME Codes and the ASME Subcommittee on Piping and Pipelines in Spanish. With a prolific research background, Dr. Ayala has authored about one hundred journal and peer-reviewed conference papers, presented his work globally, and maintains an average yearly citation rate over 45.
Humberto Gómez, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Universidad del Norte
Dr. Humberto Gómez is associate professor of the Mechanical Engineering Department and Director of Graduate Programs at Universidad del Norte (Uninorte) in Barranquilla- Colombia.
Dr. Gomez holds a Ph.D degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida, Tampa, and his M.Sc and B.S in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad del Norte. His research is focused on advanced coating materials and polymer nano-composites. Additionally, Dr. Gomez participates as a senior engineer failure analyst, industrial forensic engineer, and contributes to R&D projects related to materials behavior and performance for the pharmaceutical, mining, steel transformation, and manufacturing industries.
Dr. Gomez provide permanent contributions in international engineering education topics and volunteers as ABET-EAC Commissioner, ASME Program Evaluator for ABET-EAC, member at large of the ASME Committee on Engineering Accreditation, member of the ASME Scholarship Committee, International Liaison for ACOFI (the Colombian Association of Engineering Colleges), Past President of the Educational Committee of UPADI (The Pan American Academy of Engineers Association), and president of ASCOR (the Colombian Corrosion Association).
Clara Gonzalez
Assistant Professor
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Clara Tatiana Gonzalez is the director of undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering and Assistant Professor at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. She has experience in academic leadership and curriculum development. She has been involved in the courses of Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Numerical Analysis, integrating rigorous disciplinary knowledge with commitment to educational quality. Her leadership experience has provided a broad institutional perspective on academic management, continuous improvement, and the development of high-quality engineering programs. Her research in the simulation of physical systems and transport phenomena has contributed to professional education, pedagogical innovation, and curricular renewal. She is committed to fostering excellence in engineering education and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration across the field.
William F. Lopez Candela, Ph.D.
Faculty Member
Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas
William F. Lopez Candela is a Mechanical Engineer from Universidad Industrial de Santander (Colombia) and holds an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Brazil. He is currently a faculty member in the Mechanical Engineering program at Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas (UDFJC), Colombia.
Dr. Lopez has extensive experience in mechanical engineering education, academic leadership, curriculum development, and quality assurance. He previously served as Dean and Director of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Universidad Santo Tomás, where he led undergraduate and graduate programs. He has also taught engineering courses at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels at several Colombian universities. His professional experience combines academia, industry, and research. He has worked in maintenance engineering and asset management at Ecopetrol and John Crane Colombia, and conducted doctoral-level research at IBM Brazil in areas including thermofluids, microfluidics, medical systems, and enhanced oil recovery. His research has resulted in U.S. patents, peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and international conference presentations.
Dr. Lopez has also served as an academic peer evaluator recognized by Colombia's National Accreditation Council (CNA) and has participated in the development, renewal, and quality assurance of engineering programs. His current interests include mechanical engineering education, curriculum innovation, engineering research, interdisciplinary education, and strengthening connections between universities and industry.
Oscar Rafael Pupo Roncallo
Assistant Professor
Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering
Universidad del Norte, Colombia
Oscar Rafael Pupo Roncallo is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Universidad del Norte, Colombia. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sheffield, UK, and MSc and BSc degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad del Norte. He is a member of the UREMA research group (Rational Use of Energy and Environmental Preservation).
His research focuses on renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, decarbonization, and the integration of low-carbon technologies into energy systems. He has been involved in research and applied projects addressing building energy efficiency, transport electrification, carbon footprint assessment, and the integration of renewable energy technologies. Alongside his research activities, he has a strong interest in sustainability and energy transition education. His teaching seeks to equip engineering students with the knowledge and tools needed to develop sustainable technological solutions and contribute to the transition toward low-carbon energy systems.
Geraldine Gooding, D.Eng
Director, Engineering Education and Outreach
ASME
Geraldine Gooding, D.Eng. is an engineer, educator, entrepreneur, and change agent whose career spans over 15 years in the urban planning, engineering, and education fields. Dr. Gooding currently serves as Director of the Engineering Education & Outreach Department at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), where she is tasked with guiding ASMEs strategic direction in engineering education, overseeing projects and initiatives impacting the global pre-college and college/university communities through innovative classroom and curriculum support, professional development, scholarships, and academic program accreditation (ABET). She leads with a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion within engineering, driving transformative initiatives that broaden participation and reimagines how learners of various backgrounds engage with STEM education, strengthening learning outcomes for all. Dr. Gooding holds degrees in Applied Mathematics & Statistics, Systems Engineering, and in City & Regional Planning and a Doctorate in Engineering Management.
Carolina Rojas
Lead Project Coordinator
ASME
Carolina Rojas is a mechanical engineer and international development professional with expertise in sustainable development, global partnerships, and program coordination. She currently serves as Lead Project Coordinator, International Relations at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), where she supports the organization’s efforts to expand its global engagement and strengthen collaborations across Latin America and other international regions. In this role, she coordinates strategic initiatives, stakeholder engagement activities, and cross-cultural partnerships that advance engineering education, innovation, and sustainable development objectives.