Dr. Seth Orsborn
Director
Dr. Seth Orsborn is an interdisciplinary designer and loves the challenge of wrestling with an ambiguous world to identify unique opportunities which can be solved by creating products that are beautiful, functional, and desirable. Seth is also the director of and teaches courses in Product Design and Innovation at SMU. In addition to problem solving with the students, staff, and faculty of SMU, you can find him mentoring start-ups and advising innovation teams. If he’s not there, he’s probably chasing chickens around his property or trying to keep up with the chores on his pecan orchard.
JT Ringer
Lab Manager
JT is a human-centered designer with a background in theater design and technology. Before joining the DIG, he spent 16 years making props for theater, opera, and dance productions. In addition to managing the DIG, JT teaches Form and Composition in the Master of Arts in Design and Innovation program at SMU. JT enjoys woodworking, road trips, and spoiling his two Very Bad Cats™, Penny and Charlie.
Sithindu Sirisooriya
Assistant MANAGER
Sithindu is a junior majoring in computer science. His most notable passion is tinkering, whether that be with software or in real life. He also has a yet-unexplained affinity for beans. Feel free to ask him anything; he might actually know the answer.
Please don’t ask me what the meaning of life is.
David Berberian
Lab Technician
David is a junior studying Computer Science and Earth Science. He is the current president of Mustang Rocketry. He enjoys working on projects that involve 3D printing, electronics, and programming. In his free time, he rock climbs and trains in Taekwondo. He’s always willing to help others with hands-on projects.
ALYSSA BURNETT
LAB TECHNICIAN
Alyssa is a junior majoring in Creative Computing and Psychology. She enjoys working with the 3D-printers and laser cutter, and is always happy to work with you on any project or problem you may need help with! (just give her 5-7 business days for the bigger projects.)
ADELE CLAYES
LAB TECHNICIAN
Adele is a sophomore who is very passionate about arts, crafts, and everything in between. She is fluent in French and loves psychology. Her favorite part of working at the DIG is helping people to achieve their visions and turn them into realities. For all sewing related questions, feel free to contact her or Jordan!
"[Adele] is such a wonderful person" -Dr. Seth Orsborn
ELI DEAN
LAB TECHNICIAN
Eli is a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He enjoys working on all sorts of projects but can usually be found tinkering in the metal shop. In his free time, he enjoys table top RPGs and hanging out with friends in the DIG.
LEAH DUGGER
LAB TECHNICIAN
Leah is a sophomore catching all the degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, and French. She is passionate about combining creativity and practicality to solve problems. Leah loves baking, dragons, serving others, and the Mustang Band. Her dream job is to design solutions for the world’s biggest technical challenges in aviation, space, and defense.
CASE HOOGLAND
Lab Technician
Case is a fifth year student majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a Specification in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in History. He is the Marshal of Theta Tau and Historian of the Classical Studies Club. He specializes in Woodshop and the traditional side of the Metalshop (Blacksmithing). If you see him doing something potentially dangerous, please don’t copy him… he is the embodiment of chaos.
Rebecca Kuhlman
Lab Technician
Rebecca is a senior studying computer science, data science, and AI. They’re passionate about studying the relationship of people with their technologies and encouraging others to learn more about their world through making. Besides singing the praises of the under utilized 3D scanner, they enjoy baking, crocheting, and listening to history podcasts. Their dream job is to develop AI for medical devices.
Michael Llanes
LAB TEchnician
Michael is a Freshman triple majoring in Computer Science, Film, and Data Science. He loves working with the 3D Printers, Vinyl Cutter, and the Woodshop. In his free time he loves ping pong and working on any odd project in the DIG.
Jon Moore
lab technician
Jon is a senior studying civil engineering. His specialties include wood and metal working. He is a proud cat dad and fills his spare time working on fabrication projects at home or at the DIG.
ANDREA REYES
Lab Technician
Andrea is a senior studying astrophysics and engineering, and is Co-President of WISE. She really loves 3D design and laser cutting, especially water bottles, as well as dancing in her free time. Her dream job is to go into habitat design for human spaceflight.
REY WINN
Lab Technician
Rey is a junior year music and physics major that doesn’t like free time. If they’re not on the clock, they’re working on their next large project which will take more time than they care to admit.
“Philander and Discover” - Rey
JORDAN YOUNG
Lab Technician
Jordan is a junior, majoring in Creative Writing. Her DIG specialties are sewing, vinyl cutting, and laser cutting. Besides living in the DIG, she likes to draw and write (obviously). She is still overly fond of birds, specifically corvids.
If you want to join our team, fill out this application and email us to let us know.