Faculty Profiles

Henry Cabra received his PhD (2014) and MS degree (2009) in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Florida. In addition, he also holds a Master's in Communication and Technological Innovation from the Instituto Latinoamericano de La Comunicación Educativa (ILCE), México, 2007. His BS is in Electronic Engineering from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia, in 1994.
Currently, he is an Associate Faculty of Instruction in the Ingram School of Engineering at Texas State University. Dr. Cabra actually serves as Co-Chair in the First Year Engineering Experience Exploration Taskforce initiative, redesigning the first year of the engineering programs at Texas State University. As a fellow faculty member, he participated in the AMPLIFY Institute, which was research-focused on exploring methods for amplifying the engineering educational change efforts at Hispanic-Serving Institutions, 2024-2025. He was Co-PI in the NSF ATE Excelsior grant (Award #1700513), which supported curriculum development, faculty professional development, and partnerships between two-year colleges and industry to enhance technician education. He was a recipient of the NSF ASSIST Travel grant for the MAES Faculty Development Symposium (FDS), Grant #EEC-1548214, 2018, and conducted research with the Advanced Materials and Biocompatible Interfaces Research (AMBIR) Group, in the summer USF Functional Materials Research Experience for Teachers (RET), 2017.
Dr. Cabra has made significant contributions to design, simulation, and assembly in the fields of Advanced Materials and Biocompatible Interfaces Research. His work led to a patent for the "Mini Notched Turbine Generator" (US 9618002 B1), a turbine generator designed for integration into bio-physiological or microfluidic systems.
With extensive experience in electrical and electronics engineering, Dr. Cabra has expertise in areas such as digital electronics, microelectronics, microprocessors, medium-power system design, control, automation, robotics, and project management. Currently, he is focused on developing curricula to enhance student engagement and retention, as well as integrating courses within the first year of the engineering programs at Texas State University.

I am primarily interested in the emerging trend of autonomous energy supply using clean energy technology, as well as microelectronic and semiconductor technologies to recover lost energy from small to industrial systems. Providing electricity to sensor networks, embedded systems, micro and nano portable devices, autonomous vehicle systems, as well as smart reconfigurable manufacturing machines and Internet of Things devices are the focus of my research ideas. Besides energy, I seek to study new materials and semiconductors to improve solar panels and permanent magnets and to create greener devices that are less invasive and environmentally friendly. The best result of my research was a miniaturized system capable of producing electrical energy using a novel notched blade turbine. The system transforms rotational motion into electricity using innovative subsystems that interact to transform kinetic energy into electricity. The results have been patented (patent number: 9618002, ‘Mini Notched Turbine Generator,’ Henry Cabra and Sylvia W. Thomas, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: U.S. Department of Commerce, April 11, 2017). My future research will require durable and resistant materials, a micro-AC to DC efficient converter, and a novel design and implementation of a levitation system to minimize rotor fictions, lower pressure through the turbines, and increase spin and efficiency. As we work towards our goals, our focus will be on materials development, which will lead to innovations in sensors, autonomous vehicles, biomedical devices, and energy generation systems, such as turbines and batteries.

I am qualified to teach undergraduate and graduate courses (lecture and lab) in analog circuits, digital electronics, microprocessors, PLCs, and the design of low and medium-power systems. Also, as a faculty member, I could design new courses with a high level of simulation and a focus on real-world applications of digital electronics, microprocessors, and analog circuits that can be supported by new learning methodologies such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and tools such as virtual electronics lab software in traditional classrooms, in-lab classes, and/or virtual classes. A student-centered learning approach also guides my development of curriculum and instructional materials. In addition to technicalities, my goal is to offer students a multifunctional, multicultural training process that allows them to apply their knowledge to real-world situations. My teaching philosophy is based on the belief that learning needs to be student-centered and that students are co-creators in their learning process. As part of the learning process, I want to assist students in discovering their talents and awakening their creative abilities, developing their ideas while also solving pressing problems, whatever those may be. I envision a collaborative learning environment where students and faculty alike contribute to the learning process valuing everyone’s input as well as understanding our differences. I contend these differences bring new knowledge to the table, providing us with a rich set of tools to better serve our communities.