How Robotics at West Virginia University is Revolutionizing Engineering Education
Read the Cover StoryWe are excited to present the spring issue of our magazine, which focuses on the
future of robotics engineering at WVU. Learn from our experts as they break boundaries
in research, discover how our student teams lead in international competitions,
and explore a new interdisciplinary undergraduate program designed to train the
next generation of leaders in robotics.
In this magazine, you’ll find inspiring stories from our exceptional faculty, staff,
students, and alumni. Learn about our efforts to support communities in need, excel
in more international competitions, and achieve record-breaking research expenditures.
Our alumni share their experiences to inspire and motivate, while our faculty and
students continue to excel in receiving honors and awards for their achievements.
Enjoy reading!
When Gesa Dinges started her academic career in neurobiology, she didn’t expect to find herself pulled into the world of engineering. But after meeting WVU robotics assistant professor Nick Szczecinski at the University of Cologne during his postdoctoral appointment, she realized that her research questions would benefit from the expertise of disciplines outside of the natural sciences.
Read More : Mining engineering students win National Competition for the fourth timeCivil engineering students Sarah Yingling and Payton Seats conducted wastewater research in one of Costa Rica’s magical forests. The six-week interdisciplinary program brings engineering and anthropology students together from WVU, University of South Florida and California State University, Chico to collaborate on innovative solutions that address real-world challenges in sustainability, technology and community development.
Read More : WVU Statler College's research expenditures rocket, boosting impact and growth in researchWVU students in Tom Devine’s software engineering class got a crash course last semester in building the plane as they flew it, harnessing their budding coding skills to create functional web applications that utilize real-world data.
Read More : Statler Students Prepare to Cycle Cross-Country for the Journey of HopeSince his time as a lecturer at the Statler College, aerospace engineer Steven Raqué's career has led him to positions at NASA and his current role as principal systems engineer at Blue Origin. We chatted with him about his experience working on the recent New Shepard mission, the future of space travel and reconnecting with his former student Emily Calandrelli before her incredible journey.
Read More : Live Q&A with The Space Gal Emily CalandrelliLast summer, a small group gathered at the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum in Matewan, Mingo County. Energy efficiency is the museum’s big issue, with some of the most critical challenges stemming from past renovations.
Read More : LIGHTS, HVAC, ACTION!This battlefield is not a jungle or desert. At war are WVU students, engaged in Red Team vs. Blue Team. In the cybersecurity world, red teams play offense and attempt to attack and break into systems in a live simulation. Blue teams play defense, guarding the network against the opposition’s attacks and threats.
Read More : Match UpAs an experiment and way to help exhibit AI as a tool and resource, all images within this feature were created using an image generator using prompts directly from the story. The direct keywords used are underlined in red for each image.
Read More : FEARED AND REVERED: ALL EYES ON AIStudent teams travel underserved areas in the western hemisphere to bring healthcare, sanitation and nutrition, all the while learning about the world and themselves.
Read More : GOOD MEDICINEThe Statler College continues to continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to innovation, achieving a record high of $52.2 million in total research expenditures for the 2023 fiscal year. As a result, all engineering programs reached the top 100 rankings in the latest National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey.
Research at WVU is addressing critical security flaws in biometric systems like the fingerprint or face recognition systems that many use to unlock their mobile devices.
As interest in the potential of artificial intelligence grows, so do claims about its ability to transform the state of healthcare. But how do clinicians really feel about using AI technology in making medical decisions?
As students begin their engineering journeys, many grapple with their understanding of the discipline and how it relates to their identity as engineers. Researchers at WVU are focused on empowering students in the Statler College with tools, resources and services to support and retain them beyond their first year.
Earlier this week, academic advisers rolled into Pittsburgh on a WVU-branded “Let’s Go!” bus to take advantage of a national conference right in their backyard.
Read More : WVU academic advisors continue to earn recognition, make their mark
Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering Professor and Chair Jason Gross has been awarded the Per Enge Early Achievement Award by the The Institute of Navigation (ION). ION is the world’s foremost nonprofit professional society advancing the art and science of positioning, navigation and timing.
Read More : Gross recognized with Early Achievement Award for exceptional navigation research contributions
Piyush Mehta, associate professor in the Statler College has been named to the newly elected Class of 2025 Associate Fellows of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and appointed to the Space Weather Advisory Group — a Federal Advisory Committee for the White House Space Weather Operations, Research and Mitigation subcommittee.
Read More : WVU researcher receives AIAA associate fellowship and federal appointmentStatler College is dedicated to introducing K-12 students to the variety of possibilities and opportunities of science, technology, engineering and math.
The WVU Foundation is honoring three individuals and a local corporation with 2024 Outstanding Philanthropy Awards for their tremendous generosity, leadership and dedication.
View Profile : WVU Foundation announces 2024 Outstanding Philanthropy Awards
A generous gift to the Statler College will enhance on-campus learning opportunities for students in the will enhance on-campus learning opportunities for students in the Wadsworth Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
View Profile : Freshwater Family Foundation supports WVU Statler College student collaboration space
A WVU student is continuing on the path of service he started while in high school — as a volunteer for community canned food drives, trail maintenance and garbage cleanup projects — thanks to private scholarship support.
View Profile : Giving back: WVU students volunteer with help from private scholarship support
When WVU alumni couple David and Linda Cooper decided to support and empower future engineers through a $100,000 gift, they wanted it to be meaningful, impactful and available sooner rather than later.
View Profile : $100K gift provides aid for engineering scholarship at WVU Statler College
Congratulations to Nitin "Nick" Kumbhani, recipient of the WVU Presidential Honorary Degree! As he accepted this prestigious honor, Kumbhani encouraged graduates to "dream big, believe in yourself, and acknowledge those who have helped you along the way." Kumbhani credits WVU for providing the scholarship support that enabled him to complete his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1971.
A true pioneer in ATM software and investment management, his groundbreaking contributions have had a global impact. We are proud to celebrate this remarkable Mountaineer, his achievements and well-deserved recognition! #WVUGrad #WVUAlumni #LetsGo
WVU competed in the Race to the Case at the University of Pittsburgh. Chambers College Supply Chain Management students collaborated with industrial engineering students from the WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources to test their supply chain management knowledge. Students are tested on teamwork, communication and knowledge under pressure as they race between locations on the Pitt’s campus presenting their solutions to judges at the final destination – solutions that landed WVU first place for the fifth time in ten years.
From his time at Statler honing skills and passion for global broadband to becoming a trailblazer in the industry, Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard continues to inspire and achieve. 👏🏆
🎉 All the hard work leads to this! 🌟 So proud to see the 2024 Mine Rescue Team recognized by the University and the state! The thrill of the cheers and the pride we feel in this moment are truly unforgettable. Thank you WVU and our loyal Mountaineers for your incredible support! 💛💙 #WVUMineRescue #Letsgo