OCTOBER 2023

If West Virginia University research pays off, debris that litters the planet’s orbit and poses a threat to spacecraft and satellites could get nudged off potential collision courses by a coordinated network of space lasers. Hang Woon Lee, assistant professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering is a 2023 recipient of NASA’s prestigious Early Career Faculty award and $200,000 in funding for potential breakthrough research in rapid-response debris removal study.

Research from mechanical and aerospace engineer Xi Yu could help scientists reach ocean waters hidden away beneath ice shelves. The inaccessible waters under ocean ice contain information critical to understanding the impact of climate change, and Yu says she believes multiple marine robots, carried and coordinated by an intelligent mothership, can reach those depths and communicate what they learn.

Jason Gross, associate professor and chair of the mechanical and aerospace engineering department at West Virginia University, has been named to the newly elected Class of 2024 Associate Fellows of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

When academic institutions across the globe work together, not only do a wide range of diverse projects take shape, but long-lasting relationships are forged and valuable experiences take place.

Lizzie Santiago, project principal investigator and director of the fundamentals of engineering program at West Virginia University, has received a STEM education improvement grant from the National Science Foundation. As a continuation of a previously sponsored NSF project, this award of nearly $600,000 will be put towards promoting innovation and self-regulated learning in first-year engineering students.

Future geologists and engineers studying at WVU are using the same advanced software as oil and natural gas professionals, thanks to an in-kind gift from Petroleum Experts Limited worth nearly $6.4 million.

Statler College hosted students, faculty, staff and alumni on Sept. 21 to foster purposeful exchanges of personal experiences, values, beliefs and perspectives. The event was a celebration of individuality and a reflection of the united spirit within the Statler College community.

Chief Operating Officer of American Consolidated Natural Resources Inc. James R. Turner, Jr. delivered the Poundstone Lecture in a private event at West Virginia University on Thursday, September 28, as part of the Mining Engineering William N. Poundstone Lecture Series at the Erickson Alumni Center.

Dear friends and colleagues,

Exciting things are happening here at the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources as we get our fall semester underway. Our latest issue of Wired showcases some of the outstanding research and accolades received by our faculty and students.

Hang Woon Lee, assistant professor in the mechanical and aerospace engineering department, received the 2023 NASA’s prestigious Early Career Faculty Award for his research on laser systems for space debris. In addition, Xi Yu, assistant professor in the mechanical and aerospace engineering department, received National Science Foundation support to developing technologies to control swarms of “passenger robots,” intended for release by their autonomous mothership into an icy subaquatic world. Learn about the innovative research being done in engineering education from Lizzie Santiago, director of the fundamentals of the engineering program, and Xinyu Zhang, teaching assistant professor of fundamentals of engineering, both of whom are supported by the National Science Foundation.

We’re also proud to highlight some recent honors and awards earned by our distinguished faculty. Jason Gross, chair of the mechanical and aerospace engineering department, was named Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Eduardo Sosa, a research associate professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering, was chosen for the prestigious Fulbright Specialist international Exchange Program.

I look forward to sharing more of the incredible stories that are the building blocks of our Statler College community next month.

Until then, Let’s go!

MAILING ADDRESS:
Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources | West Virginia University
1374 Evansdale Drive | P.O. Box 6070 | Morgantown, WV 26506-6070
PHONE: 304.293.4821 | EMAIL: engineeringwv@mail.wvu.edu

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