


Vanessa Restrepo, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department
Dr. Vanessa Restrepo is an Assistant Professor and ACES Fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M. She received her M.S. in Civil Engineering and her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, and her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Antioquia (Colombia). Dr. Restrepo is strongly oriented to addressing research in an interdisciplinary manner. She combines principles of solid mechanics, structural analysis, and finite element methods with biology to develop, model, and test bioinspired materials. Her current research focuses on fundamentally investigate synthetic pathways for the development of bio-inspired materials and their practical applications. These proposed materials will translate into a wide variety of applications by incorporating shape-and-color shifting properties (based on shape memory materials combined with structural coloration technics) capable of autonomously changing their surface morphology and color upon the application of external stimuli such as temperature, electricity, and/or strain.
Email: vrestrepo@tamu.edu
Graduate Students

Manuel Jose Carvajal Loaiza
Ph.D. Student
Manuel Carvajal is a PhD student in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Texas A&M University. Manuel earned his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Antioquia (Colombia), his degree project was in the area of statistical fatigue analysis on small airplanes. Manuel’s main interests include bio-inspired and smart materials. Currently, he is working on morphing surfaces and structural coloration.
Email: manuelj@tamu.edu

Maria Isabel Vallejo Ciro
Ph.D. Student
Maria Vallejo is a PhD student in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Texas A&M University. Maria achieved a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Antioquia (Colombia), her degree project was in the area of statistical fatigue analysis on small airplanes. Maria’s main interests include bio-inspired and smart materials. At present, she is working on Bio-Inspired Active Hook & Loop Fastener with Shape Memory Polymers.
Email: misabel@tamu.edu
![Rahaf_ProfHeadshot[28711]_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5610c1_faff796c02864ccabf6b7bca64da5067~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_330,w_2000,h_2000/fill/w_220,h_220,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Rahaf_ProfHeadshot%5B28711%5D_edited.jpg)
Rahaf Homssi
Ph.D. Student
Rahaf Homssi is a Ph.D. student in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Texas A&M University (TAMU). She earned her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from TAMU-Qatar, where she participated in research on asphalt rheology with nanoparticles, natural fiber composites, and recycled PET filaments. Her current research focuses on bio-inspired designs and smart materials, with an emphasis on 3D-printed two-way shape memory effect (2W-SME) polymers.
Email: rahafhomssi@tamu.edu

Mohamad El Halabi
M.S. Student
Mohamad El Halabi is an M.S. Student in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Texas A&M University. Mohamad earned his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University. His final year thesis was in the area of impedance-based non-destructive evaluation of metal additively manufactured parts. Mohamad’s main interests include smart materials and biomedical devices. He is currently working on investigating the use of shape memory polymers for prosthetic sockets and liners.
Email: mohamadhalabi@tamu.edu
Undergraduate Students
Spring 2025
Clement So, B.Sc. Student
Zaara Hashmy, B.Sc. Student
Fall 2024
Zaara Hashmy, B.Sc. Student
Spring 2024
Alejandra Patlan, B.Sc. Student
Spring-Fall 2023
Avik Ahuja, B.Sc. Student
Alumni
Gage Pankey B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Class of '24
Meryem Soltane M.Sc. Graduate, 2024