Two space shuttles, delivered.
NASA has sent space shuttles Discovery and Enterprise to space and back, but engineering their transport to museums in Washington, D.C. and New York City was an entirely different challenge. Fortunately, NASA employs URI engineering alumna Dorothy Rasco ’81..
The manager of the agency’s space shuttle program orchestrated Discovery’s delivery to the nation’s capital and Enterprise’s delivery to the Big Apple, both in April. This fall, Rasco will oversee Endeavour’s transport to Los Angeles. (Related story)
Bioengineering conference applauds URI team
A research paper by three University of Rhode Island biomedical engineering students garnered top accolades at the Northeast Bioengineering Conference in Philadelphia in March.
Courtney Dulude, Harold Greene and Amanda Neves helped develop a wearable activity analyzer used to monitor and encourage physical activity in older adults. Their paper measuring the results was one of just three papers honored at the conference. The team, led by biomedical engineering Professor Ying Sun, also went home with a $500 check.
Bose takes research leadership position
Chemical engineering Professor Arijit Bose has joined a University leadership team advancing research. In late February, he was appointed associate vice president for research. He will focus on instituting a formal program that will establish the University as a fully engaged partner of private businesses. He will also continue to maintain a professorship in the College of Engineering.
IEP recognized for infusing real world experience
The National Academy of Engineering has recognized the International Engineering Program as one of just 29 programs in the United States that infuses real world ideas during undergraduate education. As part of the IEP experience students study and intern abroad for a year.
Navy presents $52K scholarship to Gafar Odufuye
The U.S. Navy presented engineering student Gafar Odufuye with a $52,653 nuclear engineering scholarship during the National Society of Black Engineers conference held in Washington, D.C. in March. A native of North Providence, R.I., the mechanical engineering senior participated in a series of lengthy interviews before landing the coveted scholarship.
Seizing up effects of tiny elements
Nanoscale rare earth elements are found in consumer and military products around the world. And every day, we throw out devices full of tiny particles. Yet, engineers know little about the environmental and safety consequences posed by releasing these nanoparticles into the world.
Professor Vinka Oyanedel-Craver aims to change that with a new research project funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The Early-concepts for Exploratory Research grant will permit the professor and her students to establish reliable analytical techniques to measure the effects of nanoparticles released into the environment.
Students awarded Goldwater Scholarships
Two University of Rhode Island students have won prestigious scholarships for those pursuing careers in science and engineering. Chemical engineering junior Christopher Bobba and marine biology major Russell Dauksis were two of only 282 students nationwide to receive $7,500 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships. Chemical engineering student Farid Topchiev garnered an honorable mention.
In March, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers honored Bobba for his research on engineered particles that could be used as therapeutic drug carriers. He dreams of becoming a medical doctor who develops new technologies to help patients.
Dauksis is aiming for a career as a college professor studying coral reef conservation. Last year, he won a scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and served as an intern restoring coral reefs off Puerto Rico.
Wallin earns prestigious NOAA scholarship
Ocean engineering major Brenton Wallin was one of six URI students to receive an Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The six URI students were among just 117 nationwide to earn the scholarship, which provides $16,000 toward tuition in junior and senior years plus a paid summer internship at a NOAA lab anywhere in the country.