Brian Merrill, Engineering Technology Coordinator, Faculty Advisor Battery Workforce Challenge, Faculty Advisor VEX - U Robotics

Brian Merrill is the Program Director of Advanced and Applied Technologies and Faculty/Course Coordinator in the Department of Applied Technologies at the College of Southern Nevada, teaching electronics, microprocessors, technical physics, and engineering capstone. He also serves as an Academic Assistant at Arkansas State University supporting graduate-level instruction in project management and engineering capstone.
Brian is pursuing a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, researching factors influencing renewable energy adoption in the U.S. through advanced data modeling. He holds a Master of Engineering Management from Arkansas State University (Summa Cum Laude, 4.0 GPA) and a B.A.S. in Engineering Technology from Nevada State College.
Before academia, Brian built a career in industrial engineering and maintenance leadership spanning nearly two decades. He served as Senior Electromechanical Engineer at Foster West Corporation, Maintenance Engineer at Turano Nevada Baking Company, and Process Lead Engineer at Titanium Metals Corporation, driving improvements in efficiency, uptime, and team performance.
Brian received the 2025 ITEEA William E. Dugger Exemplary Collaboration Award, the 2025 ASEM Meritorious Service Award for Outstanding Non-Board Member, and the 2024 U.S. DOE Excellence in Leadership Award via the Battery Workforce Challenge. He serves as President Elect for the Council for STEM Leadership, State Champion for the ITEEA Nevada Affiliate, Faculty Advisor for the Battery Workforce Challenge and HVDC initiative, and a board member of Passage Nevada Inc. and MyThri Academy. He is active in ASEM, IISE, ITEEA, and SME.
Brian has co-authored peer-reviewed proceedings on manufacturing efficiency, inventory control, renewable energy, and automation. He is passionate about bridging industry and academia to prepare future technology and engineering leaders.