Members
Our lab is led by Dr. Jin. Our lab members include both graduate and undergraduate students.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Yifei Jin
Principal Investigator
Employment:
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Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, (July 2019 - present)
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Postdoctoral Researcher, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida (May 2018 - May 2019)
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Quality Assurance Engineer, Quality Assurance Department, FAW-Volkswagen (January 2011 - December 2013)
Education:
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Ph. D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida (January 2014 - April 2018)
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M. S., Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, China (September 2008 - December 2010)
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B. S., Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, China (September 2003 - July 2008)
Courses taught at the University of Nevada, Reno:
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ME 350 Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing
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ME 450/650 Additive Manufacturing (undergraduate/graduate level)
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ME 750 Advanced Additive Manufacturing
PhD Students
Ryan Coulter
PhD Candidate
After receiving his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UNR in 2021, Ryan decided to pursue research in interests such as 3D printing applications, novel additive manufacturing methods, and 3D printed soft robotics. In his free time, Ryan likes to develop video games, 3D print model replicas, and go to arcades.
Lily Raymond
PhD Candidate
Lily graduated with her B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in the Spring of 2021 and 2022. She started volunteering in the lab in the fall of 2019. She is interested in the biomedical applications of 3D printing. In her free time, she enjoys running, drawing, and watching animal documentaries.
Master's Students
Shanti Quinto
Shanti graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UNR in May 2025 and is continuing at UNR to pursue a Master’s degree. Her research interests focus on bioprinting and biomaterials. Outside the lab, Shanti enjoys hiking, playing pickleball, and traveling to new cities.
Undergradaute Students
Max Oceguera
Junior at UNR
Max is a junior at the University of Nevada Reno, where he’s currently pursuing a B.S in Mechanical Engineering. He started volunteering in the lab during Fall 2024, and is passionate about increasing science literacy among the public and 3D printing applications. In his free time, you can find Max producing music, playing rhythm games, and reading.
Alumni: Graduate Students
Dr. Kellen Mitchell
PhD in Mechanical Engineering from UNR
Dr. Mitchell received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in May 2026 from UNR.
After graduating from UNR in 2016 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering, Kellen worked in the composite manufacturing industry for 4 years. Kellen plans on pursuing a career in additive manufacturing with a focus on sustainability. In Kellen’s free time he enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, and drumming in his rock band.
Dr. Weijian Hua
PhD in Mechanical Engineering from UNR
Dr. Hua received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in May 2025 from UNR. His interests include 3D printing, bioprinting, tissue engineering, and biomaterials.
He received his Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Florida, Gainesville, and his Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Engineering from South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
Erick Bandala
MS in Mechanical Engineering
UNR August 2025
Erick graduated with his BS in Mechanical Engineering from UNR May 2022 and MS in August 2025 . Erick published a journal paper in npj Advanced Manufacturing entitles "Distance-controlled direct ink writing of titanium alloy with enhanced shape diversity and controllable porosity." Erick likes to play basketball, soccer, football, swimming, chess, and ultimate frisbee. He also likes to hike, watch movies and tv shows.
Dr. Cheng Zhang
PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Dalian University of Technology
Dr. Zhang received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Dalian University of Technology. His interests include heart valve 3D bioprinting, biomaterials, composite manufacturing.
He studied in Dr. Jin’s lab for 2 years (June 2022-June 2024) as a joint PhD. student. Cheng received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, China, and Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China, respectively.
Naima Valentin
MS in Mechanical Engineering
UNR December 2022
Naima received her MS in Mechanical Engineering in December 2022. She published a journal paper in Bio-Design and Manufacturing titled "Direct ink writing to fabricate porous acetabular cups from titanium alloy." In her free time Naima enjoys skiing, rock climbing and riding horses.
Alumni: Undergraduate Students
Liam Bond
After enrolling in 2021, Liam found inspiration to volunteer in UNR's 3D Printing Lab while being one of Dr. Jin's students. He is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering. The ability to quickly design and reiterate drew Liam towards the innovative capabilities of additive manufacturing. His passions include mechanical design, reading, language learning, pickleball, and snowboarding.
Evan Lim
Evan Lim is a high school junior dual enrolled at UNR. His interest in the cutting edge of 3D printing developed into a passion for exploring advanced additive manufacturing systems and their incredible capabilities. He also enjoys mechatronics engineering, higher math (especially abstract algebra and number theory), ethical lockpicking, playing the viola, wandering around outside, and eating bagels
Eric Rezac
Eric is a junior at the University of Nevada, Reno studying Mechanical Engineering. He began volunteering in Dr. Jin’s lab in Fall of 2024. Eric started volunteering in the lab to learn more about 3D printing technology and design processes. In his free time Eric loves to make music, rock climb, or work with his Baja SAE team.
Stephen Kyle Bard
Kyle is a senior at the University of Nevada Reno currently studying mechanical engineering. After taking ME 450 Additive Manufacturing with Dr. Jin he started volunteering in the 3D Printing lab. He is extremely enthusiastic about roller coasters and amusement parks.
Devin Marigny
Devin is a junior studying mechanical engineering. To learn more about 3D printing applications, he started volunteering in Dr. Jin's lab in Fall 2024. In his free time, he likes to spend time with family, workout , read , and practice guitar.
Aidan Shackleford
Aidan is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at UNR. He enjoys volunteering in the lab assisting with various tasks regarding creating medical implants through 3D printing. His hobbies include skiing, hiking, and reading.
Jada Okaikoi
Jada worked in the lab during the spring semester of 2023. In her free time, she likes to read, play video games and watch movies.
Kaitlin Leong
Kaitlin worked in the lab from August 2022- May 2023. In her free time, she enjoys playing instruments, cooking, painting, and watching movies.
Beatriz Godina
Beatriz worked in the lab from August 2020 - May 2022. She enjoys walking her dogs, reading, and doing yoga.
Chandler Stanfill
Chandler worked in the lab from August 2020 - May 2022. His interests include exercising, reading, and traveling.
Matthew Warner
Matthew worked in the lab from Fall 2019 - May 2021. His interests include 3D printing, reading, rock climbing, and Lego!