Battery Workforce Challenge

The University of Alabama &
Shelton State Community College team

Fostering Collaboration for Innovation

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, The University of Alabama is teaming up with Shelton State Community College in the Battery Workforce Challenge. Our team of 83 students, ranging from undergraduate to doctorate, are led by a diverse group of faculty members that hold many years of academic and industry experience.

80+ Years
of Industry Experience

12 Majors

11% graduate students

10 countries represented

farthest member comes from 8,000 miles away

Swimlane Breakdown

Three swimlanes will be working together to succeed in the program. These swimlanes are Battery Pack Hardware (BPH), Battery Pack Software (BPS), and Vehicle System integration (VSI). Beyond engineering teams, we also have a robust group of STEM and CREATE Path to the MBA students manage and maximize sponsorships, operations, and promotional activities for the team.

This team structure provides new recruits with a support system of experienced students who are able to offer guidance in addition to the faculty members. By combining multidisciplinary team members with years of experience and expertise, we hope the The University of Alabama & Shelton State Community College team can provide value to the young professionals studying in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 

Electrical design, mechanical design, battery testing and characterization, electrical schematics, packaging design, sensing and monitoring circuitry, high voltage and low voltage wire harness, battery management system electronics, contactors, relays, and machining and fabrication.  

Software system design, algorithms development, validation and testing, vehicle communication, programming/coding, battery management system algorithms, and analog and digital communication.  

Mechanical design, thermal modeling, physics-based simulation, battery thermal management, heat transfer, and 2D/3D CAD design.

Beyond engineering teams,  non-engineering majors, spanning from public relations to studio art that help promote the team, manage operations, and procure sponsorships. The program offers an unparalleled and interdisciplinary learning experience beyond the classroom environment.

Team Members

Dr. Jaber Abu-Qahouq

Lead Faculty Advisor

Dr. Jaber Abu Qahouq is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Alabama, the Director of The Energy and Power Electronics Systems and Devices Laboratory, and the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of the Alabama Mobility and Power (AMP) Center. He is excited to be part of this educational competition and have the opportunity to contribute to educating and training students to be the next generation of leaders in transportation electrification.

jaberq@eng.ua.edu

205-348-8669

Dr. Krishna Shah

Faculty Co-Advisor

Dr. Krishna Shah is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Alabama. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas, Arlington. His research is focused on sustainable energy systems. Dr. Shah is excited about the journey this team has undertaken where students will go from being novices in battery technology to the ones building the battery system for an electric vehicle.

krishna.shah@ua.edu

8325519904

Thomas (Mike) Hobson

Vocational Faculty Advisor

Thomas Hobson is an Automotive Services Technology Instructor and the Construction/Transportation Division Chair for Shelton State. He earned an Associate’s Degree of Applied Technology and Automotive Service Technology from Bessemer State Technical College, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Technical Education from Athens State College. Mr. Hobson is an ASE Certified Master technician with more than 25 years of experience and is excited to bring his years of experience to this competition.

thobson@sheltonstate.edu

205-391-2640

Dr. Sajad Saberi

Safety Advisor

Dr. Sajad Saberi is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Alabama (UA). He has experience in power systems and power electronics. He believes safety comes first. He is looking forward to continuing to work with the team members to reduce risks and maintain their safety.

ssaberi@ua.edu

802-557-4785

Dr. Rob Morgan

Management and Sponsorship Development Faculty Co-Advisor

Dr. Rob Morgan is a Professor of Marketing and Director of the STEM Path to the MBA and CREATE Path to the MBA programs. His research and teaching interests are primarily technology commercialization, marketing strategy, and innovation. Dr. Morgan earned his Ph.D. at Texas Tech University.

rmorgan@cba.ua.edu

205-348-9557

Jonathon Bower

Project Manager

Jonathon Bower is the Project Manager for The University of Alabama & Shelton State Community College’s BattChallenge team. He is a 4th year Computer Engineering and MBA student at UA from Irvine, California. Jonathon is most excited to use his educational background in both business and engineering to successfully manage an engineering project.

jcbower@crimson.ua.edu

949-217-5117

Shane Vanderhagen

Engineering Manager

Shane Vanderhagen is the Engineering Manager for The University of Alabama & Shelton State Community College’s BattChallenge team. He is a senior at UA studying Electrical Engineering from Melissa, TX. Shane is looking forward to designing an entire system that goes into a real-life product while making use of a big budget and support from industry and government. He enjoys building a team of fellow students and bonding with everyone on the team!

ssvanderhagen@crimson.ua.edu

469-207-6507

Nishma Bhattarai

Vehicle Systems Integration Lead

Nishma Bhattarai is the Vehicle Systems Integration Lead for The University of Alabama & Shelton State Community College’s BattChallenge team. She is originally from Kathmandu, Nepal and completed her Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kathmandu University. Nishma is currently pursuing her Graduate Degree in the same field. Being able to learn existing industry requirements and manufacturing process related to EV batteries is one of the most exciting things about BattChallenge to Nishma.

nbhattarai2@crimson.ua.edu

659-261-7467

Luke Anderson

Electrical Team Lead

Luke Anderson is the Electrical Lead for The University of Alabama & Shelton State Community College’s BattChallenge team. He is a Mechanical Engineering senior at UA from Lexington, Kentucky. His calibration experience from Stellantis helps bring a hands-on approach to this role. Luke is excited to innovate sustainable energy solutions and work alongside industry leaders in this challenge.

lcanderson4@crimson.ua.edu

859-684-3323

Mohamed Fofanah

Structural Team Lead

Mohamed Fofanah is the Battery Pack Hardware Lead for The University of Alabama & Shelton State Community College’s BattChallenge team. He is from Hopatcong, New Jersey and is a UA sophomore majoring in Aerospace Engineering. Creating components that fit into the battery pack excites him the most.

mafofanah@crimson.ua.edu

862-251-9900

Dexter Gard

Battery Pack Software Lead

Dexter Gard is the Battery Pack Software Lead and BattScholar Team Lead for The University of Alabama & Shelton State Community College’s BattChallenge team. He is from Birmingham, Alabama and is a UA sophomore majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Electrical Engineering. Dexter is most excited about the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration. He loves people of varying majors and skillsets get to come together to work as a group and learn from each other!

Dlgard@crimson.ua.edu

901-567-1606

Ethan DeLuca

Battery Pack Software Co-Lead

Ethan DeLuca is the Battery Pack Software Co-Lead for The University of Alabama & Shelton State Community College’s BattChallenge team. He is from St. Louis, Missouri and is a sophomore Computer Science student at UA. Ethan is excited to learn new things alongside his team.

ejdeluca@crimson.ua.edu

636-346-3610

Sadie Jarrell

Battery Pack Recyclability Lead

Sadie Jarrell is the Recyclability Lead for The University of Alabama & Shelton State Community College’s BattChallenge team. She is a senior Chemical Engineering major at the University of Alabama from Nokesville, Virginia. Sadie previously worked as the Thermal Sub-team Lead before her current position on the team. She is excited to work with the team to select materials and develop a recyclability plan for the battery pack.

sjarrell@crimson.ua.edu

571-358-5164

Jade Cartolano

Communications, Recruitment, and Retention Lead

Jade Cartolano is the Communication, Recruitment, and Retention Lead for The University of Alabama & Shelton State Community College’s BattChallenge team. She is an MBA student at UA and is from Staten Island, New York. Jade is most excited to highlight the team’s amazing work through social media and connect new members with opportunities within the team.

jacartolano@crimson.ua.edu

917-328-5248

  • Dr. Jaber Abu-Qahouq: Lead Faculty Advisor & Lead Safety Advisor
  • Dr. Rob Morgan: Management and Sponsorship Development Faculty Co-Advisor
  • Dr. Krishna Shah: Faculty Co-Advisor
  • Thomas (Mike) Hobson: Vocational School Faculty Advisor
  • Dr. Bharat Balasubramanian: Faculty Co-Advisor
  • Dr. Paul Puzinauskas: Faculty Co-Advisor
  • Dr. Hwan-Sik Yoon: Faculty Co-Advisor
  • Mohammad Alsmadi: Project Manager
  • Anastasia Ramig: Co-Project Manager & Batt Scholar, Vocational Liaison
  • Owen Schreiber: Engineering Manager
  • Yuankun Zhao: Co-Engineering Manager
  • Lukas Kiesewetter: Vehicle Systems Integration Lead
  • Avery Tucker: Communications Lead
  • Abi Brewer: DEI, Recruiting, and Retention Lead

Member Voices

Want to Get Involved?

Our team is actively looking for new members to contribute to our swimlanes in the areas of Battery Pack Hardware, Battery Pack Software, VSI, and Project Management. To get involved, fill out our interest form. Also, students can contact our Project Manager, Jonathon Bower or our Recruitment Lead, Jade Cartolano.

The team leads meet Mondays on the UA Campus in our UA BattChallenge office, Hardaway Hall 160, however once prospective students have been organized into the swimlane in which they will be working, the team leads will coordinate a time in which the whole team can meet and discuss their objectives. Team meetings are included below:

  • Battery Pack Hardware – Mondays at 5:30pm – Hardaway Hall 160
  • Battery Pack Software – Wednesdays at 5:30pm – Hardaway Hall 160
  • VSI – Wednesdays 1pm – Hardaway Hall 160
  • Project Management – Sundays at 12:30pm – Hardaway Hall 160