Team

Tom Fuja serves as Faculty Director of iNDustry Labs at Notre Dame; he is also a Professor of Electrical Engineering.  Prof. Fuja received his undergraduate education at the University of Michigan, graduating with a B.S.E.E. and a B.S.Comp.E. in 1981.  He subsequently attended Cornell University, where he received the M.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering in 1983 and 1987, respectively.  Since 1998 Prof. Fuja has been a member of the faculty of the University of Notre Dame, where he served for twelve years as Chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering and two years as Interim Dean of the College of Engineering.  Previously, from 1987 to 1998, Fuja was on the faculty of the University of Maryland in College Park, MD.  In addition, Prof. Fuja served as Program Director for Communications Research at the U.S. National Science Foundation in 1997 and 1998.  Prof. Fuja has been very active in the IEEE Information Theory Society, serving in a variety of roles on its Board of Governors from 1988 to 2004 and as its President in 2002.  He also served as Associate Editor at Large of IEEE Transactions on Information Theory from 1998 to 2001.

Scott Ford serves as the Executive Director of iNDustry Labs.  He also serves as the associate vice president of economic development, building and executing strategic partnerships among University, industry, and community stakeholders to promote innovation, job growth, and quality of place in the South Bend-Elkhart region.  

Prior to working for the University, Scott held leadership roles in both civic and commercial organizations, including Executive Vice President with Bradley Company and Executive Director of Community Investment for the city of South Bend under Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s Administration.  During this time, Scott implemented a strategic restructuring of the City’s approach to economic development that yielded nearly 2,600 new jobs and $440 million in new private investment to the City. 

Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in government with a concentration in philosophy, politics and economics as well as a master’s degree in architecture from Notre Dame. He also holds a master’s degree in planning, growth and regeneration from the University of Cambridge. Through the integration of policy, business and design, Scott is dedicated to creating places that bring about the best in us. He is an active member on several regional boards and national organizations in line with this commitment.

Mike Chapple is Associate Faculty Director of iNDustry Labs and Academic Director of Notre Dame’s Master of Science in Business Analytics program in the Mendoza College of Business. He also serves as Teaching Professor of IT, Analytics, and Operations where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in business analytics and cybersecurity.

Prior to joining the Mendoza faculty, Mike served as Senior Director for IT Service Delivery at the University. In this role, he oversaw the information security, IT compliance, cloud computing, data governance, IT architecture, learning platforms, project management, strategic planning and product management functions for the Office of Information Technologies. Mike led Notre Dame’s Cloud First strategy which moved 83% of the University’s IT services into the cloud over three years.

Mike previously served as Senior Advisor to the Executive Vice President at Notre Dame for two years. Prior to that, he was Program Manager of the University’s Information Security Program.

Mike also previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Brand Institute, a Miami-based marketing consultancy. He spent four years in the information security research group at the National Security Agency and serving as an active duty intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force.

College of Engineering Advanced Manufacturing Collegiate Professor Robert Landers serves as Associate Faculty Director of iNDustry Labs. 

Professor Landers specializes in:

• modeling, analysis, monitoring, and control of manufacturing processes (laser metal deposition, glass direct energy deposition, selective laser melting, freeze-form extrusion fabrication of ceramics, metal cutting, friction stir welding, wire saw machining);
• estimation and control of alternative energy systems (hydrogen fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries); and
• digital control applications.

Professor Landers holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan; M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University; and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

McKenna Pencak is the Associate Director for iNDustry Labs. In this role, she manages day-to-day operations for iNDustry Labs and administration of the LIFT Grant. 

McKenna has more than a decade of experience working in higher education administration at the University of Notre Dame. Most recently, McKenna served as Associate Director for the Notre Dame Scholars Program, where she oversaw academic-year programming, enrichment funding, and day-to-day operations for the University’s merit scholarship office. Previously, she served as Program Manager for The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program, the University’s first merit scholarship program, and Assistant Director of Communications and Outreach for International Student & Scholar Affairs, a part of Notre Dame International. Prior to working at the University, McKenna coordinated national consumer education programs, communications and media relations for Bridgestone Retail Operations, the world’s largest network of company-owned automotive service providers.

McKenna graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, IL, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Spanish. She holds a Master of Arts in International Education from the School for International Training (SIT) in Brattleboro, VT, and a University of Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA).

John DeSalle is an Executive Engineer-in-Residence at iNDustry Labs.  In this capacity, he serves as a translator and bridge builder for companies in the region. He regularly visits companies, articulates industry challenges, and identifies available resources through the LIFT Network to help drive regional industry advancement.

John brings nearly 36 years of experience in the tire industry, including more than 31 years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, and senior management at Hoosier Racing Tire Corporation, where he retired as President. John began his tire career as a five-year Engineering Co-op student at Cooper Tire and Rubber Company as par of the work/study program at Kettering University. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University, he worked full time at Cooper Tire as a Research Engineer and as a Passenger Tire Product Development Engineer. John also holds an MBA from Indiana University.

Natalie Medich is an Engineer-in-Residence at iNDustry Labs. In this capacity, she provides advisory services to local companies and serves as a problem solver, translator, and bridge builder for companies in the region. She is eager to utilize her diverse experience to connect regional industry with the LIFT Network’s available resources, positioning them to thrive in the digital age of industry.

 ​Natalie holds an extensive, diversified background in business and advanced engineering. An experienced entrepreneur, she owned and exited a successful manufacturing business and, as a consultant, she has spent over a decade optimizing business processes for clients in the manufacturing, environmental and services industries. Natalie has held positions in the industrial engineering field as a business process engineer and manufacturing engineering manager, and is an experienced Lean Six Sigma Black belt practitioner for the advanced manufacturing industry.  

Most recently, she was assistant professor and Advanced Manufacturing Department Chair for Ivy Tech Community College, spearheading the effort to bring The Larry & Judy Garatoni Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Automation to its South Bend - Elkhart campus, while developing curriculum and faculty expansions plans for the facility. At Ivy Tech, she led the development of the new Smart Manufacturing and Digital Integration degree that was approved by the Commision for Higher Education in May of 2021. This degree, now offered at Ivy Tech, is the first of its kind in post-secondary education, and is specifically designed to align with industry needs.

Natalie received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, and holds a certification from the Executive Education program at Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business in Engineering Leadership. She received her Six Sigma Green & Black Belt certifications from Purdue University.

Jim Wittendorf is an Engineer-in-Residence at iNDustry Labs. In this capacity, he serves as a problem solver, translator, and bridge-builder for companies in the region. He regularly visits companies, articulates industry challenges, and identifies available resources through the LIFT Network to help drive regional industry advancement. 

Jim’s extensive experience in advanced manufacturing and electronics spans over 30 years with engineering leadership and product design roles with several leading automotive sensor companies including CTS, American Electronic Components, Siemens VDO, and Continental Automotive. 

Most recently, Jim was the Director of Engineering Core Competencies at CTS Corporation, where he was responsible for the global execution of core enabling technologies used by product lines for application in their end products. He also helped to significantly expand CTS’ cooperative education program through LIFT Network and EARN Indiana programs. Prior to joining CTS, he served as Director of Global Process Engineering at Harman International. 

Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Tri-State University and a Masters of Business Administration from Bethel University.

Michael Shoemaker is an Associate Engineer-in Residence at iNDustry Labs. In the ENIR role, Michael provides technical and strategic advisory services to local companies, bridging the gap between the local industry and the resources and capabilities of the University of Notre Dame. He is energized to leverage his experience to help regional businesses address their needs ranging from operations to product development.  

An experienced engineer, he launched his career at Ford Motor Company as an engine process engineer; designing and launching engine assembly lines, including the 2.0L and 2.3L four-cylinder EcoBoost engines. He is dual-degree holder from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering ‘13 and Master of Science in Engineering Management ’17.   

Michael most recently served as the inaugural Program Director for Industry Innovation at enFocus, Inc, where he built and led a dedicated team of technical Innovation Fellows specifically recruited to support the iNDustry Labs platform. In addition to providing key support for pilot industry engagement projects, he was instrumental in the development and implementation of the iNDustry Labs service model.

Alex Topalovic, a native of Belgrade-Serbia, studied Global Management (‘19) at Earlham College in Richmond, IN. Prior to attending Earlham, Alex participated in a student exchange program at Richmond High School. As an Earlham student, he was a starter on the varsity basketball team and served in several campus leadership positions, including a two-year role as the Residence Hall Director.  Through internships at Richmond Baking Company and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Alex gained valuable experience in manufacturing which led to his success in the ASCM Deloitte and Conexus Rolls-Royce supply chain competitions. As a co-founder of an IT startup that promotes digital leadership and technology skills development in high school students, Alex has developed a passion for product development and entrepreneurship. His inspiration came from a year-long research on digitalization in manufacturing and its economic outcomes.

Thus, Alex embraces enFocus’ mission and believes that enFocus has a tremendous opportunity to impact the South Bend-Elkhart region through its industrial innovation projects. Alex is excited to leverage his technical expertise and work collaboratively with iNDustry Labs and local business leaders to help improve their business performance and turn risks into opportunities.

In addition to speaking fluent English and Serbian, Alex also speaks German. Outside of work, Alex likes to play sports, read, hike, and coach basketball.

Jody Suryatna was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia and came to the United States to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. Within Mechanical Engineering, he found passion in exploring manufacturing and computer-aided design/engineering. Professionally, he has experience in quality, tooling, and logistics in various multinational companies where he had the opportunity to learn from incredible mentors who were experts in their respective fields.

Outside of work, he spends a lot of his time volunteering for the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers where he mentors various chapter leaders in the Midwest to succeed in their respective chapters in bringing professional development to the collegiate Asian-American community.

Jody enjoys unwinding on weekends by trying out new cooking recipes, playing the guitar or (when the weather allows it) playing a round of golf. Jody chose to join enFocus as he shares the organization’s passion and commitment to build better communities through technology and innovation. Additionally, he believes enFocus provides a unique opportunity to broaden his horizons beyond the industries he is familiar with and help him grow as both an engineer and an effective leader in this ever-adapting world.

A native of the Michiana area, Matthew graduated from Purdue University in May 2021 with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering Technology. After earning his B.S., Matthew returned to the Michiana area for an M.S. in Engineering, Science, & Technology Entrepreneurship (ESTEEM) from The University of Notre Dame.

 As an undergraduate at Purdue, Matthew served as a resident assistant for 3 years. During his studies, though, he developed a healthy obsession with building new technologies from scratch. As he designed fully-functional drones and electronic longboards, he gained experience in computer-aided design and additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing. He even acquired a commercial drone pilot certification alongside his materials research project in the UAV sector.

 Ultimately, these experiences led him to the ESTEEM program and now enFocus, where he hopes to supplement his technical knowledge by developing skills associated with project management, strategic planning, and entrepreneurship as he works on a diverse set of projects and learns from team members with wide-ranging expertise.

 Outside of work, Matthew loves flexing his technical expertise and learning more about lifting weights and physical fitness. An aspiring entrepreneur himself, Matthew hopes to open his own gym one day–but, for now, he serves as a member and coach at the local (and newly-founded) East Race Muscle gym.

Alexis, originally from Jiangxi, China, holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics with a major in Taxation. After a year of law school, she pursued her passion for business analytics and earned a Master's degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Alexis discovered her enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and supporting businesses during her undergraduate years. She provided valuable work to startups, helping them make significant strides from inception to market entry. Additionally, she gained experience as a strategic consulting intern at EY-Parthenon, Ipsos, and as a Data Analyst at Kohler China. Throughout her experiences, she independently acquired essential data analysis skills, including Python, SQL, and Tableau, empowering businesses to leverage data effectively. Alexis's curiosity extended to various aspects of business operations, where she developed insights into manufacturing, supply chain management, and financial analysis while working as a project analyst for a family business in Mishawaka.

Excited to contribute her skills and experience and make a positive impact, Alexis joined enFocus to drive innovation in the South Bend-Elkhart region and further develop her entrepreneurial mindset and business acumen. Outside of work, Alexis enjoys reading, painting, and engaging in various outdoor activities.

Raymond was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia and came to the United States to pursue a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. Throughout his Studies, he has found a passion for product design, design for manufacturing, and rapid prototyping. He has also gained experience in mechanical design, product development, research, and automation in previous internships and research programs.

Outside of his academic role, Raymond was involved in Solar Chapter Purdue for two years where he was president in his last year to further develop his leadership and project management skills. Through Solar Chapter, he was involved in two projects where he successfully implemented a water system in the rural villages of Sumba, Indonesia.

Raymond joined enFocus as his professional goals aligned with their mission and vision to promote economic development in the region through projects in the Industry Portfolio. He believes that through enFocus, he will be able to grow and implement innovative ideas while also gaining hands-on experience from the work and culture of enFocus.

Outside of Work, you can find him playing golf, traveling and cooking new things.

Overpower Gore has lived in four countries, but is originally from Zimbabwe. He obtained a Bilingual International Baccalaureate Diploma from Waterford Kamhalaba United World College. After graduating from UWCSA, he worked with Higherlife Foundation, where he found his passion for working with local communities to create change and drive impact. 

Recently, Overpower graduated from Earlham College with a BA in Data Science and Global Management. During his undergraduate studies, he fell in love with using data to make decisions. He has participated in several fellowship programs such as "The Civic Engagement Fellowship" through Up to Us and "Data Science for All" through Correlation One. As a recent graduate, Overpower is looking to hone his skills in the civic innovation space at enFocus. Through a combination of experiences, Overpower wants to give back to the South Bend-Elkhart region by using his background learn new skills, create change, and drive innovation in local communities and beyond. 

In his leisure time, Overpower loves to watch Marvel movies or go for a bike ride on the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail.

Kartik, a native of Ahmedabad, India, came to the United States to pursue a Master’s of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering with focuses in Management and Data Science from Purdue University.

In his journey from India to Indiana, Kartik has amassed diverse experiences by working on projects ranging from engineering, management, sales, marketing, data analytics, consulting, and more. Though much of his background is related to technical work, he is also passionate about working at the grassroots level through community building and by bridging gaps in youth literacy. At enFocus, he is leveraging his experience to help local industries become future-ready–and he’s looking forward to learning from an extremely diverse team while working on a variety of different projects.

 Outside of work, Kartik can be found cooking, hiking, supporting Manchester United, dodging chores–or even trying out one of his new hobbies: chess and harmonica.

Born in India and raised in Bahrain, Akash arrived in the South Bend - Elkhart Region after a journey across the world. He obtained his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and his Master’s in the same from Purdue University. 

As an undergraduate student, Akash joined the Missouri S&T Formula Electric team—where he gained valuable engineering and leadership experience, and learned about the great impact engineers can have on a sustainable future. He continues to serve as a legacy lead on the team, despite being thousands of miles away.

During his graduate program at Purdue, Akash was fortunate to intern with enFocus. During his eight weeks, Akash learned about Industry 4.0 and began to see the impact that enFocus had on the local community. With admiration for its mission, Akash has come back to enFocus to employ his new skills to help manufacturers implement Industry 4.0 process improvements.

Away from work, Akash is an avid Formula I fan and enjoys playing Cricket, Soccer, and Basketball. He is also a foodophile and enjoys still object photography. 

Sheldon was born and raised in Dubai, U.A.E. He always had an interest in automobiles, and as his interest in the field grew over the years, he decided to pursue Mechanical Engineering at the Vellore Institute of Technology, India. He went on to study Mechanical Engineering further at Purdue University, Indiana, to polish his skills in design, management, and product development.

Sheldon’s favorite courses included international business, commodity management, and Lean Manufacturing. He demonstrated how STEM professionals can enhance their skills while contributing to society. He was able to harness his skills and learned how he could integrate people, business, and science.

Sheldon has always looked for an avenue to give back to others. During his time as an undergraduate student, he joined U&I as a volunteer. He was able to reach out to underprivileged children and help teach them elementary level English. Sheldon was drawn to enFocus because of its innate nature of giving back to society. He looks forward to working closely with industries in the South Bend-Elkhart region and helping them become more “Lean.” Ultimately, this would add considerable value in terms of economic development for the region.

Sheldon’s favorite activities include cooking, working out and going on treks.

Daryl L. Peterson is the first managing director of the University of Notre Dame’s Engineering Innovation Hub (EIH). He oversees the coordination and operational management of the EIH’s technology, programs, and outreach in support of its dual mission of academic and industry engagement.

Prior to joining Notre Dame in January 2021, Peterson earned more than 20 years of manufacturing experience at Deere & Co.

He led programs for Deere’s global product lines, managing cross-functional teams charged with improving business processes and reducing product complexity. He led the creation of Deere’s Enterprise Digital Capability Lab, aimed at developing engineers as they worked with new technologies in artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, collaborative robotics, autonomous robotics, and lightweight materials. He also created a Manufacturing Leadership program to further develop the next generation of manufacturing leaders.

Prior to his tenure at Deere, Peterson was a manufacturing engineer with Ford Motor Company. He holds a master of business administration from the University of Chicago, a master of science in operations management and master of science in manufacturing management from Kettering University, and a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.