People

Professor of the Practice (ME)
Director of EPIC

Email: schomysz@bu.edu
Office: EMA 202F
(617) 353-2843

Professor Stephen Chomyszak holds a degree in Industrial Design from Syracuse University and a M.S. General Engineering from Stanford University. He combined creativity with technology and started a company, Mechanology, to develop machinery used in the renewable and reclaimed energy sectors. He holds U.S. and International patents and invented and developed novel technology under contract with various government agencies and commercial clients for uses in automotive fuel cells, combined heat and power, solar thermal, two-phase fluid expansion, compressed air energy storage, and industrial air compression.

Professor Chomyszak then moved to academia where he became the Roberts Endowed Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA. While at WIT, he was also the Director of EPIC Learning (Externally-collaborative, Project-based, Interdisciplinary, Curriculum) and founded a state-of-the-art Additive Manufacturing center. He was part of a team of educators who worked with Stratasys Corporation to develop a college level course in Additive Manufacturing and was amongst the first people in the United States to teach the course. Professor Chomyszak was also a faculty ambassador to Accelerate, WIT’s innovation and entrepreneurship program, where he worked closely with students who had entrepreneurial interests.

Expanding on his interest in Additive Manufacturing, he returned to industry to become a Mechanical Engineering Manager at Formlabs, Inc. where he led a team of 15 mechanical engineers to a successful launch of Formlabs’ Fuse 1 SLS 3D printer.

However, Professor Chomyszak loves to teach and returned to academia as a Professor of the Practice at BU with over 30 years of experience in entrepreneurship, design, engineering, manufacturing, management, and teaching experience. In his spare time, he dabbles with engine design, piano composition, and riding dirt bikes.

Laboratory Manager

Email: taskers@bu.edu
Office: EPC 101
(617) 353-6653

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Senior & Student Staff Manager
Machine Tool Technology
Digital Fabrication
Laboratory Maintenance & Safety
Training & Demonstrations

Tasker earned his BA from Bates College in studio and performing arts, followed by an Associate of Applied Science degree from Dunwoody College of Technology with a concentration in Machine Tool Technology. A love of design, fabrication and technology led to positions in a variety of industries – including special effects for television, toy design, 3D printing and product design. After serving as the Mechanical Prototyping Lead at Continuum, a global innovation and design consultancy (www.continuuminnovation.com), he turned to the field of education – where he served as a Technical Instructor at MIT for several years, mentoring students in the practical application of new technology and the process of iterative prototype development. He lives in Natick Massachusetts with his wife, two boys, two cats, and a dusty barn full of pinball machines.

Lab Supervisor

Email: karam@bu.edu
Office: EPC 106
(617) 358-1565

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3D Printing
Foundry; Casting, Heat Treatment
TIG/Spot Welding
Materials Characterization
Laser Cutting
Water Jet Cutting
Training, Demonstrations

Earned her degree in Engineering Physics with concentration in Materials Engineering from the University of Connecticut, and has industry experience with Olin Brass of Waterbury, CT, Bodycote of Andover, MA and ISPG Inc. of New Milford, CT.

Lab Supervisor

Currently on leave

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Automated Design & Manufacturing Lab (ADML)

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CAD (SOLIDWORKS, Creo, OnShape)
Laser Cutting
Thermoforming
CAM for CNC Milling
Design for Manufacturing Reviews

Earned her M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with concentration in Manufacturing from Boston University. After graduating, worked one year working as a Manufacturing Test Engineer at Axcelis. Before coming to BU as a LEAP student, spent about 10 years as a freelance modern dancer and Pilates instructor.

Lab Supervisor

Email: rbakinow@bu.edu
Office: EPC 101A
(617) 358-1691

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General Machining
Water Jet Cutting
3D Printing
CAM & CNC
Design for Manufacturing Reviews
Welding
Laser Cutting
Training, Demonstrations

Earned his Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology with a minor in Manufacturing from Wentworth Institute of Technology. Has industry experience in model making/prototyping and R&D engineering as well as almost 5 years experience in another collegiate manufacturing center. He also lives and works on a small farm in south eastern mass.

Lab Supervisor

Email: zelnya@bu.edu
Office: EPC 101A

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General Machining
3D Printing
Laser Cutting
Training, Demonstrations

Adam worked in the field of behavioral health for a decade before transitioning to a career in technology education. He’s worked with several organizations in the Worcester area developing project-based workshops involving design and fabrication workflows and most recently as an Applications Specialist serving educators across New England. Adam studied art and writing at Fitchburg State and Mount Wachusett and has practiced digital and acoustic music most of his life.

Electronics Advisor, Part-Time

Email: ericshazen@gmail.com
Office: ERB B01
617-353-6120

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Electronics Design & Fabrication

Eric has been developing electronic instrumentation for over 40 years. He started his career in 1980 as the Vice President of Engineering at Electronic Theatre Controls, and served as lead (sole!) engineer on their first line of theater lighting control consoles. He came to BU in 1986, establishing and serving as director of the Electronics Design Facility until early 2023. He has extensive experience in mixed-signal electronics, embedded systems, PCB layout, programmable logic and all aspects of electronics fabrication. Eric loves woodworking and tinkering with antique electronics and also holds a commercial pilot certificate.

Lab Supervisor

Email: cpursley@bu.edu
Office: EPC 104
(617) 353-3952

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General Machining
3D Printing
Water Jet Cutting
Laser Cutting
CAM & CNC
Design for Manufacturing Reviews
Training, Demonstrations

Cooper earned his M.S. in Product Design and Manufacturing from Boston University. He has industry experience in rapid prototyping and product development working on consumer products. When not at work, you can find him riding bikes or training for his next triathlon or endurance event.