Closing the Loop and Empowering Students
The College of Engineering and the Innovation Shop are excited to announce an annual fundraiser for the Innovation Shop here at the College of Engineering.
To keep this momentum going, we launched the 2025-26 Innovation Shop Annual Fundraiser with a goal of raising $50,000.
Why This Initiative?
The Innovation Shop’s mission is to empower student innovators through experiential learning. With a cutting-edge space designed to foster academic and research projects, the Innovation Shop supports the departments, faculty, staff, and students at the College of Engineering.
About Our Team
Comprised of four individuals spanning backgrounds in engineering, medical devices, accounting, architecture, precision machining, electronics and more, students can gain skills in varied fields on their way to a complete engineering education.

Anthony Beatty
Mechanical Engineer
anthony.beatty@uconn.edu

Peter Glaude
Manufacturing Engineer
peter.glaude@uconn.edu

Joe Luciani
Design & Manufacturing Instructor
joseph.luciani@uconn.edu

Ken Premo
Electrical Engineer
kenneth.premo@uconn.edu
About Our Space
The Innovation Shop is composed of a 6,000-square foot space with key manufacturing equipment like CNC mills, 3D printers, and welding tools. Students and Innovation Shop employees proceed through the space from ideation, prototyping, and finally creation.
What's Happening @
University News
- Cato T. Laurencin Distinguished Research Career Award Presented to James E.K. Hildreth Sr., MD, PhD October 1, 2026Hildreth was honored for his extraordinary contributions in immunology, virology, HIV research, and health equity.
- UConn Releases Annual Safety Reports September 29, 2026The two reports are the Clery Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, and a report from the Office for Inclusion and Civil Rights
- UConn’s Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin Accepts National Medical Association Award with the Imhotep Connecticut National Medical Association Society (CTNMA) September 22, 2026The CTNMA and its President, Dr. Laurencin, Were Honored with the Large Society of the Year Award at the National Medical Association’s 2026 Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly in July.
- Rankings Show UConn Growing in Global Visibility as Quality, Value are Lauded September 22, 2026The rankings indicate UConn’s academic strength, lasting impacts on students, and global reputation
Engineering News
- Talent Incubator a Hit for Tech Park, Students, and Industry October 5, 2026The summer pilot program for first-year Huskies succeeded as an archetype for experiential learning opportunities
- UConn Scientists’ Startup Seeks to Advance Women’s Reproductive Healthcare October 5, 2026'Historically, women’s health has received insufficient attention in medical research and testing'
- Cato T. Laurencin Distinguished Research Career Award Presented to James E.K. Hildreth Sr., MD, PhD October 1, 2026Hildreth was honored for his extraordinary contributions in immunology, virology, HIV research, and health equity.
- More Than 4,000 Students Strong, UConn Engineering Begins a New Year September 29, 2026More than 1,000 first-year students join a College defined by hands-on learning, research, industry connections, and a growing engineering community.
Community News
- UConn 4-H Shares Ongoing Success with Board of Trustees October 6, 2026'From robotics to biotechnology, agriculture, financial literacy, and environmental conservation, 4-H resonates as a powerful symbol of our land-grant mission in action'Jessica McBride, PhD
- Building Capacity for Livestock Production in Southern New England September 30, 2026More than 250 service providers and farmers actively participate in the Tri-State SARE project with the goal of building a stronger support system for livestock producersJessica McBride, PhD
- Plant Lovers Wanted: Study Highlights Demand for Citizen Science September 29, 2026Developing a more coordinated approach to training citizen scientists could help protect ecosystems from invasive species that don't stop at state bordersJessica McBride, PhD
- UConn’s Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin Accepts National Medical Association Award with the Imhotep Connecticut National Medical Association Society (CTNMA) September 22, 2026The CTNMA and its President, Dr. Laurencin, Were Honored with the Large Society of the Year Award at the National Medical Association’s 2026 Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly in July.Sara Capozzi