UNT College of Engineering

10/05/2026

What can squid teach us about the future of underwater technology?

UNT College of Engineering Dean Paul Krueger is part of a multi-institutional team studying how squid move and interact in groups and how those behaviors could inspire more efficient autonomous underwater systems.

Led by Old Dominion University, the team includes Krueger, an engineer from Southern Methodist University and biologists from Old Dominion University and Franklin & Marshall College.

By studying everything from the squid’s unique jet propulsion to how they respond to changes in water flow, researchers hope to better understand how groups of underwater systems could work together for applications such as ocean exploration and harbor security.

UNT Engineering students will also have opportunities to contribute to the project through hands-on data analysis and research.

Sometimes engineering inspiration comes from unexpected places.

Read more about the research and what we can learn from squid:

To learn how groups of autonomous underwater vehicles could move more efficiently, researchers are turning to one of the ocean’s more unique denizens: squid.

10/02/2026

Come see what’s happening at UNT Engineering during our Open House on Oct. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Discovery Park.

Explore our labs and programs, meet students and faculty, connect with student organizations and get an inside look at what makes UNT Engineering a place to learn, create and innovate.

10/01/2026

Nearly 20 weddings. Countless mentorship moments. One commitment to seeing students succeed.

For the past 22 years, Orlando Bagcal has built connections with his students that extend well beyond the classroom. At UNT Engineering, he serves as program coordinator for construction management, where he has watched the program grow from 40 students to 400 in just four years.

His dedication to students and the construction industry has now earned him national recognition as the 2026 Outstanding Educator by the Associated General Contractors of America.

“I truly think I’m serving my purpose in life when they succeed,” Bagcal said.

Read more about Bagcal’s impact on his students, UNT and the construction industry:

Orlando Bagcal has been named the 2026 Outstanding Educator by the Associated General Contractors of America due to his dedication to his students, their education and the industry.

09/30/2026

Industry connections create opportunities for our students to see where their engineering education can take them.

UNT Engineering recently welcomed Raytheon to Discovery Park for a Lunch & Learn, where students had the opportunity to hear directly from industry professionals, ask questions and learn more about careers in engineering.

Thank you to Raytheon for spending time with our students and supporting their professional development. We look forward to continuing to create opportunities that connect the classroom with industry.

09/28/2026

What started with a desire to understand his father’s heart complications has grown into research that could help shape the future of cardiac medicine.

UNT Engineering doctoral candidate Marcel El-Mokahal has become the first doctoral student in our Department of Biomedical Engineering to earn an NIH F31 predoctoral fellowship.

Marcel researches human cardiac organoids, tiny lab-grown tissue constructs that mimic the human heart. His work focuses on helping these organoids mature to more accurately represent an adult heart, which could eventually allow researchers to better model and study late-onset cardiac diseases.

His journey into research began after his father experienced heart complications from malaria. Marcel originally planned to become a cardiologist, but his experiences volunteering in clinics changed the way he thought about his future.

“I realized I didn’t just want to administer the cure, I wanted to find the cure.”

Now, with three years of fellowship support, Marcel will continue working toward that goal alongside researchers at UNT and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Read more about Marcel’s journey, his groundbreaking cardiac organoid research and what earning this fellowship means for his future.
https://news.unt.edu/news/2026/doctoral-student-earns-biomedical-engineering-departments-first-nih-fellowship-with-groundbreaking-research.html

09/25/2026

Engineering students, your career after college may feel far away, but it is never too early to start learning what that transition can look like.

Join us Tuesday, Oct. 6, for the inaugural Distinguished Industry Speaker Series featuring Tyler DeLaCerda, Director and Program Manager at Greenpoint Technologies.

During “My Journey from College to Industry,” DeLaCerda will share his experience transitioning from college into the professional world, lessons he has learned throughout his career and insights for students preparing for their own next steps.

Tuesday, Oct. 6
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Discovery Park B185

Come with questions, learn from his experience and then stay for the UNT Engineering Open House from 5 to 8 p.m.

09/25/2026

Our hallways were a little busier than usual this week!

The Fall 2026 STEM Career Fair brought nearly 100 employers to Discovery Park, giving UNT Engineering students the opportunity to make connections, learn more about potential career paths and even land internships.

One of our favorite parts of the career fair is welcoming UNT Engineering alumni back to campus. It is always special to see former students return on the other side of the table, now representing their companies and helping today’s students find some of the same opportunities that helped launch their own careers.

Whether students walked away with an internship, a new professional connection or simply more confidence heading into their next interview, every conversation was a chance to learn and grow.

A big thank you to the UNT Career Center for bringing our students and employers together and continuing to provide opportunities that help our students prepare for life after graduation.

The career fair may be over, but it is never too late to start preparing for your next opportunity. Keep an eye out for upcoming career events, workshops and resources throughout the semester!

09/23/2026

What possibilities emerge when engineering, industry and public leadership come together around a shared vision for the future?

UNT Engineering recently welcomed Texas Sen. Brent Hagenbuch and leaders from across industry for a forward-looking conversation focused on opportunities at the intersection of engineering, education, research and workforce needs.

Dean Paul Krueger shared the College of Engineering’s vision for the future and the importance of building strong connections between University of North Texas, industry and the communities we serve. Dr. Kuruvilla John helped lead the conversation, bringing together perspectives on emerging opportunities and where collaboration can create meaningful impact.

A special thank you to Jessica Chapman, MBA for bringing this group together and creating a space for these important conversations.

The strongest possibilities often begin with bringing the right people to the same table. We look forward to continuing these conversations and exploring how shared ideas can become meaningful partnerships.

09/22/2026

A knows you haven’t updated your résumé. A knows you haven’t researched the employers. And A knows exactly where you need to be tomorrow.
The UNT Engineering Career Fair is tomorrow. Consider this your final warning.
See you there. -A

09/14/2026

Exploring how materials at the smallest scales can help address some of society’s biggest challenges.

Last week, the UNT College of Engineering welcomed Dr. Dr. Karen Lozano, Trustee Professor and chair of the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering at Rice University School of Engineering and Computing, to Discovery Park for a seminar on “Engineering the Future: Nanofibers as Platforms for Technological and Societal Transformation.”

Dr. Lozano shared her expertise with University of North Texas faculty and students, exploring the potential of nanofibers as platforms for technological innovation and the broader impact materials research can have on society.

A member of the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Lozano also offered our community the opportunity to learn from a nationally recognized leader in materials science and engineering.

Thank you to Dr. Lozano for joining us at Discovery Park and sharing her research, perspective and experience with the next generation of engineers and researchers.