July 19, 2024

The Georgia Tech Alumni Association has announced the 2024 class of 40 Under 40. The newest honorees of this annual program push the boundaries of innovation and encompass a world of ideas through a universe of impact.

Highlighting the work of Yellow Jackets around the globe whose innovative spirits inspire us all, this year’s class includes six members of the Woodruff School community:

• Abdalla Abou-Jaoude, Ph.D. NRE 2017
• Kinsey Herrin, Senior Research Scientist, M.S. PO 10
• Kelly Kloster Hon, B.S. ME 2011, M.S. ME 2012
• DJ Lewis, Jr., NRE 2018
• George Spencer Mickum, M.S. NRE 2013, Ph.D. NRE 2015
• David Montes de Oca Zapiain, Jr., B.S. ME 2014, M.S. ME 2015, Ph.D. ME 2019

"With hundreds of Jackets nominated, this was an especially competitive year. I am proud of the work our alumni have contributed towards solving society’s most challenging problems and improving the human condition," said Devesh Ranjan, Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair and professor.

Nominees, who must have completed at least one semester at Georgia Tech and be under the age of 40 as of June 30, 2024, were scored using a 25-point rubric by a committee of 24 faculty, staff, and volunteers who collectively represented all Georgia Tech colleges. 

Collectively, the honorees are building roads, shaping the future of nuclear energy, advancing space exploration, improving outcomes in individuals with mobility impairments, creating inventions that change the world, and impacting every aspect of life.
 

Deputy National Technical Director of the Systems Analysis & Integration Campaign | Idaho National Laboratory

Abdalla Abou-Jaoude is an authority on advanced reactor technology, holding pivotal responsibilities at Idaho National Lab (INL). As the deputy national technical director of a Department of Energy (DOE) campaign and the MARVEL experiment interface, he spearheads critical initiatives shaping the future of nuclear energy. Previously, Abou-Jaoude was the advanced reactor research integrator with a broad research portfolio across seven DOE programs on topics stemming from molten salt technology to nuclear techno-economics and multiphysics simulation. He most notably led a first-of-its-kind fueled salt irradiation experiment. He received his doctoral degree from Georgia Tech and previously was the INL Deslonde de Boisblanc Distinguished Postdoctoral Associate.

Favorite Tech Memory: The first time I kissed my now-wife at a Georgia Tech student society–organized party on February 13, 2016! 

Senior Research Scientist | George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering

Kinsey Herrin is a senior research scientist in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the director of the Human Interface Design Development and Engineering lab. Her research focuses on advancing state-of-the-art assistive and rehab technology and studying the associated outcomes in individuals with mobility impairments. She is passionate about advancing technology and clinical care to improve mobility and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. She completed her residency training in orthotics at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and prosthetics at the University of Michigan and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.

Favorite Tech Memory: The slide at the Georgia Tech pool was one of my favorite things to do with friends after triathlon training at the gym!

Sr. Manager, Product Development Engineering | Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)

Kelly Kloster Hon is a STEMinist working toward a future with gender parity and equality in engineering. She dedicates her time to helping students develop a passion for STEM while also equipping women to be successful in the industry. Kloster Hon serves as a senator for the Society of Women Engineers and is a board member of Athena. Since earning her bachelor’s and master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, Kloster Hon has driven critical business outcomes across consumer and medical products. She is a senior R&D manager at Becton, Dickinson and Company, a global medical technology company, where she previously led their Women’s Initiative Network.

Favorite Tech Memory: Studying abroad in Germany (both times!). Exciting adventures, cultural insights, lifelong friends, improved language skills, and expanded global perspective.

Director, Strategic Partnerships | Insight Global

DJ Lewis is committed to identifying and creatively solving core problems. His passions include emerging technologies, creating and fostering relationships, and enabling those around him. Professionally, Lewis is director of strategic partnerships for Insight Global’s professional services division, Evergreen. In this role, he is building a mutually beneficial partnership ecosystem and providing go-to-market (GTM) thought leadership. Lewis prides himself on his actionable commitment to his family and community at large, with Black youth being a central focus. In his free time, he can be found at the gym working out, traveling the world enjoying the local culture, or having a wine night with his girlfriend.

Favorite Tech Memory: Creating and executing fun events and programming for Alpha Phi Alpha, NROTC, and the GT Student Ambassadors. You can’t beat fun and impactful times with lifelong friends!

Principal Scientist | STERIS AST

Spencer Mickum, a nuclear and radiological engineer at STERIS AST, performs research that integrates computational radiation transport with radiation measurements. He received his doctorate in Nuclear Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2015 and is now an experienced principal scientist with a demonstrated history of over 10 years working with radiation simulation. He is skilled in Monte Carlo radiation simulation, AutoCAD Inventor, Python (programming language), ANSYS, and radiation detection. He has worked on the ASTM International E61 committee on radiation processing since 2016 and has taken on leadership roles in various other professional organizations and standards committees.

Favorite Tech Memory: Exploring the historical Neely Nuclear Research Center in person before the building was demolished and returned to green fields.

Senior Member of Technical Staff | Sandia National Laboratories

David Montes de Oca Zapiain is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. He obtained his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees from the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech. He is currently a senior member of Technical Staff in the Department of Material and Data Science at Sandia National Laboratories, where he focuses on researching novel approaches to integrate machine learning and artificial intelligence into the manufacturing and development of materials.

Favorite Tech Memory: Being in the stadium when the Georgia Tech Football team defeated the Florida State University team in 2015.