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Engineering seniors design life-saving systems for mountain rescues

alse6588 — Tue, 26 May 2026 22:18:16 +0000

Engineering seniors design life-saving systems for mountain rescues alse6588 Tue, 05/26/2026 - 16:18

Alexander Servantez

At many universities, engineering capstone projects are built for industry sponsors or corporate clients.

The WCU-��ӽ紫ý Engineering Partnership Program allows students to obtain bachelor's of science degrees in biomedical engineering or mechanical engineering as ��ӽ紫ý graduates.

With this partnership, they will have the opportunity to complete their first two years as Western students, and the balance of their education as ��ӽ紫ý students, all while remaining on the Western campus in Gunnison, Colorado. Graduates in the partnership will receive a bachelor of science degree and diploma from the College of Engineering and Applied Science at ��ӽ紫ý.

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But two groups of ��ӽ紫ý mechanical engineering seniors at Western Colorado University (WCU) are doing something a little different: designing equipment for Mountain Rescue volunteers who navigate Colorado’s rugged backcountry.

The projects, sponsored by the Western Mountain Rescue Team, were developed by students in the WCU-��ӽ紫ý Engineering Partnership Program. As part of their senior design course, they aimed to solve real challenges faced during wilderness rescues.

For a university nestled in the heart of Colorado’s Western Slope, the projects were a natural fit. Western’s Mountain Rescue Team President Riley LeHane said outdoor access and recreation are central to the campus identity, allowing students to engineer solutions for problems tied directly to the mountain environment they experience every day.

“There was a lot of interest in the rescue projects during the fall,” LeHane said. “It’s unique in the engineering space to blend outdoor recreation with borderline medical care. I think these teams take a lot of pride in trying to improve rescue services and benefit the local community.”

The two teams showcased their work at WCU’s Engineering Expo event on April 23. Here’s a closer look at this year’s Western Mountain Rescue Team projects:

Team 6: Western Mountain Rescue Truck System

A team six student showcasing his group's truck-bed organization system at WCU's Engineering Expo event (Credit: Cassondra Grover).

Search and rescue teams often have a myriad of equipment—such as medical kits, rope and harnesses—piled in the back of their response trucks. But when emergency calls come in, the time it takes to scramble and find these materials could mean the difference between life and death.

That’s why the truck management team designed and built a custom truck-bed organization system intended to make rescue response faster and more efficient in the field.

The project aimed to reduce mission preparation time at the trailhead by 30%, from ten minutes to seven, while improving accessibility, safety and long-term usability. It features a series of labeled sliding drawers and storage compartments so that critical, expensive gear is protected and easily accessible.

“Everything has a place and it’s easy to see,” said LeHane. “No more crawling to the back of the truck or digging through stacks of gear.”

But perhaps the most exciting aspect of the project is its potential for long-term impact. Once fully implemented, the system is expected to remain in use for the lifespan of the rescue vehicle, supporting Western Mountain Rescue volunteers responding to emergencies for years to come.

“It’s something that these engineering students can look back on and be extremely proud of,” LeHane said.

Team 7: Western Mountain Rescue Litter System

Students from team seven showcasing their rescue litter system at Engineering Expo (Credit: Cassondra Grover).

Carrying an injured person on a litter out of the backcountry can require rescuers to navigate steep trails, rocky terrain and long distances on foot.

To help ease that burden, the rescue litter team developed a new wheel attachment system in an effort to improve maneuverability, reduce physical strain on rescuers and increase overall patient stability during wilderness evacuations.

The design centers around a large single wheel mounted beneath the litter, allowing rescuers to transport patients more efficiently across uneven terrain without relying entirely on hand-carrying techniques. But unlike the truck-bed system, designing field equipment for real-world rescue operations comes with a unique set of challenges.

“There are a lot of testing and liability standards that come with rescue gear,” said LeHane. “Working around these complexities was a great challenge for the students.”

LeHane said the engineering student group’s current prototype will be used primarily in training settings. However, she believes the program’s partnership with the Western Mountain Rescue Team will create more opportunities for future teams to improve upon the initial concept and create a system ready for the field.

Two groups of ��ӽ紫ý mechanical engineering seniors at Western Colorado University (WCU) designed equipment for Mountain Rescue volunteers who navigate Colorado’s rugged backcountry. The projects, sponsored by the Western Mountain Rescue Team, were developed by students in the WCU-��ӽ紫ý Engineering Partnership Program. As part of their senior design course, they aimed to solve real challenges faced during wilderness rescues.

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New student-designed brace could aid drop foot patients

alse6588 — Tue, 26 May 2026 19:49:01 +0000

New student-designed brace could aid drop foot patients alse6588 Tue, 05/26/2026 - 13:49

Alexander Servantez

For years, Grand Junction eye doctor Tom Politzer has struggled with drop foot. Even a short walk could become frustratingly complicated.

But this year, three engineering students at Colorado Mesa University (CMU), including students earning their bachelor’s degrees through the CMU-��ӽ紫ý Engineering Partnership Program, set out to make those steps a little easier during their senior capstone design course.

The CMU-��ӽ紫ý Engineering Partnership Program gives students the chance to earn a ��ӽ紫ý engineering degree entirely in Grand Junction.

The first two years of the program are taught by CMU faculty and the second two years are taught by ��ӽ紫ý faculty who live in Grand Junction. The partnership follows the same hands-on curriculum for civil engineering, mechanical engineering, or electrical and computer engineering at ��ӽ紫ý, culminating in a year-long senior design project.

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Working directly with Politzer, the team designed and tested a custom ankle foot orthotic (AFO)—a wearable brace intended to better serve drop foot patients by improving stability, comfort and mobility.

“We did a lot of research on current AFOs in the market, including some of the ones that Politzer preferred. However, we found that many fell short in providing long-term durability and effectiveness,” said team member and mechanical engineering student Emma Coates. “Our project addresses these deficiencies by combining various brace designs into one better alternative.”

Drop foot, a neuromuscular condition caused by weakness or paralysis of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles, can make it difficult for patients to lift the front portion of their foot while walking. It’s often characterized by instability, changes in gait and an increased risk of tripping or falling.

According to a study in the National Center for Biotechnology, drop foot affects approximately 19 out of every 100,000 individuals in the United States. That includes Politzer, whose experience with the condition became the foundation for the team’s project.

A close-up look at the team's ankle brace designed for drop foot patients.

“Last year, Politzer sponsored a project in the senior design program using his background as an eye doctor to help people with impaired vision,” said group member mechanical engineering technology student Sami Mettler. “This year, he chose to continue that contact with the school by drawing upon his own struggles with drop foot.”

Several commercially available brace designs already exist for drop foot patients, offering support in a neutral, lifted position while walking to prevent the foot from dragging. Among them is the TurboMed XTERN, a brace Politzer has relied on for years.

Still, the group said current AFOs on the market were far from perfect.

“The TurboMed brace was durable, but Politzer said it could be uncomfortable and still allowed his foot to catch at times,” Coates said. “Our design aimed to improve both comfort and force output, giving him better stability while walking.”

Using technology at CMU’s Human Performance Laboratory, the team was able to create a brace prototype that improved comfort, breakage and provided more adequate dorsiflexion assistance. But that wasn’t the group’s only impactful outcome.

Team member and mechanical engineering student Izaak Siefken said that their design could help make AFO devices more accessible, as well.

The team's motion capture testing, conducted at CMU's Human Performance Laboratory.

“The cost of purchasing a durable, medical-grade brace is high. Every two years, patients can get a new one through insurance, but obviously things happen. They can get lost or even break,” said Siefken. “Our goal was to find a way to develop an effective device that was less expensive than the existing options.”

Beyond the brace itself, Siefken said the project also highlighted a major gap in how AFO performance is tested, evaluated and prescribed.

“There isn’t a system within the orthotic space where they can quantify if an AFO works well for someone. The only thing patients can do is try a brace and see how it feels,” Siefken said. “We did a lot of testing and gathered a lot of metrics in the Human Performance Lab. Maybe one day, doctors can use that data to set up a criteria of performance that can justify a brace choice.”

After months of research and development, the team unveiled its project at CMU’s Student Showcase on May 1. Along with the AFO prototype itself, they displayed design iterations and motion-capture data collected from the lab, allowing visitors to see how the brace affected Politzer’s walking in real-time.

Despite some struggles early on, the group said they were extremely proud of how their project turned out. But they believe the lessons they learned throughout their capstone journey extend far beyond their presentation at the showcase.

“We’ve had some internships in the past where you’re working on small projects and tasks for others,” Siefken said. “But in the senior design program, you are in charge of the entire project from start to finish. It’s on you to bear responsibility, take risks and develop a product that works.

“That’s exactly how it is in the workforce, and I think we are all prepared to succeed in that environment.”

Three engineering students at Colorado Mesa University (CMU), including students earning their bachelor’s degrees through the CMU-��ӽ紫ý Engineering Partnership Program, designed and tested a custom ankle foot orthotic (AFO)—a wearable brace intended to better serve drop foot patients by improving stability, comfort and mobility.

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Graduating student Asaiah Gifford wins prestigious Silver Medal award

alse6588 — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:40:54 +0000

Graduating student Asaiah Gifford wins prestigious Silver Medal award alse6588 Wed, 04/29/2026 - 14:40

Alexander Servantez

For many students, opportunities are like doors. They wait for them to open and take advantage when they do.

But Asaiah Gifford has taken a different path, building opportunities for herself and for others along the way.

Gifford, a mechanical engineering student graduating this spring, has been selected by the Colorado Engineering Council to receive this year’s Silver Medal Award. One of the state’s top honors for undergraduate engineers, the Silver Medal recognizes students who embody the values of academic excellence, personal integrity, professionalism and community service.

She is the third student from the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering to win the award since 1994.

Asaiah Gifford speaking at the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship Summit.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award,” said Gifford. “During my time at ��ӽ紫ý, Rady Mechanical Engineering has invested in me and allowed me to be myself and fill in the gaps I see wherever possible. The guidance and collaboration I have received from mentors and peers in this community has made me a better person in all facets of my life.”

As a Boettcher Scholar, Gifford was poised to make a difference early. She was accepted into ��ӽ紫ý’s Engineering Honors Program, where she continued to challenge herself academically while seeking out leadership and service opportunities.

During her undergraduate years, Gifford was also selected for both the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship and the Brooke Owens Fellowship—two highly competitive, nationally recognized programs dedicated to supporting underrepresented students pursuing aerospace engineering careers.

Through these programs and her coursework, Gifford was able to develop and combine technical skills with real-world experiences. Her first-year engineering project, focused on sustainable transportation and carbon emissions education, won several awards, including being selected to be presented at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

That foundation led Gifford into the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR), where she worked under Professor Virginia Ferguson in the Ferguson Biomechanics and Biomimetics Lab. There, she applied her interdisciplinary strengths to help investigate how disease affects bone material properties.

“Asaiah is one of the most impressive undergraduate research students I have ever worked with,” said one of Gifford’s nominators. “The results of her research could potentially guide new discoveries and help others.”

Gifford’s perspective on engineering has also been shaped far beyond Boulder. She has participated in multiple education abroad programs, including a five-week seminar in Barcelona focused on literature and culture, a two-week leadership intensive in Rwanda and a semester at the National University of Singapore, where she completed a full course load in mechanical engineering.

But perhaps the most impressive aspect of Gifford’s college journey is her impact outside of the engineering classroom.

Gifford (left) posing with Chip the Buffalo and other students at an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority event.

Inspired at a young age by Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel into space, she has worked hard to help broaden opportunities for others, as well.

Gifford reactivated and served as the president of the Alpha Kappa chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the only Black Greek Letter Organization on campus. In this role, she strived to promote community among Black women on campus.

As a Patti Grace Smith fellow and a member of the ME Community Engagement & Outreach Committee, Gifford helped connect young students with unique professional development opportunities and plan events centered around Black History Month and Earth Day.

And finally, as a student signer for New Era Colorado, she even encouraged civic engagement by helping fellow students register to vote.

“Asaiah has earned respect and acknowledgement for her hard work and aspiration to help others, particularly Black women in engineering,” said another nominator.

She also gave back to communities away from campus, mentoring the next-generation of Boettcher Scholars and advocating for fellow students at the state-level.

“I participated in events ranging from environmental sustainability and social justice advocacy to youth STEM engagement,” Gifford said. “I have been able to mentor other students seeking similar professional paths. It’s been amazing to bond with my peers and grow as a person.”

This summer, Gifford will intern at United Launch Alliance in Alabama on the mechanical engineering strength analysis team. She will return to ��ӽ紫ý in the fall to complete her master’s degree through the Bachelor’s-Accelerated Master’s Program (BAM).

And while her future is already taking shape, Gifford still takes the time today to reflect on her past. Not about the awards or the accomplishments—instead, it’s something that will carry her forward far beyond the university.

“My greatest achievement is that I have sought out and created opportunities to serve and learn from my communities,” said Gifford. “I feel overwhelmingly grateful to have made an impact in the process.”

Asaiah Gifford, a mechanical engineering student graduating this spring, has been selected by the Colorado Engineering Council to receive this year’s Silver Medal Award. One of the state’s top honors for undergraduate engineers, the Silver Medal recognizes students who embody the values of academic excellence, personal integrity, professionalism and community service.

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Nine mechanical engineering students earn 2026 graduating student awards

alse6588 — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:21:04 +0000

Nine mechanical engineering students earn 2026 graduating student awards alse6588 Wed, 04/29/2026 - 10:21

Alexander Servantez

Nine students from the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering have earned graduating student awards from the College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2026.

These awards honor seniors who are nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students for their outstanding contributions.

Each of the nine award winners will be recognized and celebrated at the department's Graduation Recognition Ceremony on Friday, May 1.

Read below to learn more about these students and their amazing achievements.

Tegan Chanders

Chanders is receiving the Academic Engagement Award because of her relentless commitment to her studies. As a member of the Engineering Honors Program, Chanders has consistently demonstrated excellence by maintaining a high GPA while balancing a demanding and rigorous schedule. She has even leaned into early graduate-level coursework in preparation for her future.

On top of her studies, Chanders has also shown engagement in other areas of academia, including a semester studying abroad and internships with local startup companies. She is also a member of the Society of Women Engineers and the Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics, helping to create a supportive community for women in engineering and inspire the next generation of engineers.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I am continuing my education at ��ӽ紫ý by pursuing my master's degree in mechanical engineering through the Bachelor’s-Accelerated Master’s Program (BAM). My undergraduate degree at ��ӽ紫ý helped me gain a foundation in mechanical engineering and gave me the opportunity to discover what I am passionate about.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Get involved, make friends, go to class and get to know your professors! Everyone at CU wants to help you succeed, so take advantage of all of the opportunities you get and experience lots of new things.

Daniel Pagatpatan

Pagatpatan, an Academic Engagement Award recipient, has put together an impressive academic path during his time at ��ӽ紫ý. As an ME major with minors in both engineering management and biomedical engineering, Pagatpatan is constantly stepping out of his comfort zone and pursuing more. He has completed five graduate-level courses during his undergraduate studies and even applied innovative approaches to his senior design project, which has resulted in a patent pending technology to advance robotic assisted surgical systems.

Pagatpatan has served as a course assistant for several core engineering classes across four separate semesters, too. In these roles, his nominator says he has gone “beyond basic grading” to lead entire lab sections and mentor new course assistants. He is also a dedicated advocate for all students and staff, helping them navigate difficult course topics in subjects where he has already achieved success.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I will be pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering here at ��ӽ紫ý as part of the BAM Program! The opportunities offered by ��ӽ紫ý allowed me to learn more about topics that are of interest to me and helped me develop both the technical and soft skills necessary to be confident in my abilities as an engineer.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

My best advice for other students would be to put yourself out there! Getting to know your peers and your professors will help build a strong network and support group where each person brings their own strengths to the table and everyone can learn from each other.

Isabella Wheeler

Wheeler is receiving the Academic Engagement and Perseverance Awards for her dedication to academic success and outstanding resilience. With a background in premedical studies, Wheeler has integrated a diverse, human-centered approach to her engineering studies and volunteer work in healthcare settings. She has also served as a course assistant for multiple undergraduate engineering classes, dedicating nearly 25 hours a week towards managing everything from course logistics to writing exam questions for nearly 100 students.

But her journey has not been easy. Wheeler has dealt with sudden health issues, academic setbacks and even instances of exclusion over the past four years. However, her nominator says she never retreated. She kept pushing and taking proactive measures to progress forward. She is not only the epitome of strength and courage—she has become a beam of inclusivity and a welcoming presence for others facing adversity.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

My next step will be a full-time position as a Thermal Engineer at SpaceX in Los Angeles, where I’ll be working on satellites. I’m incredibly excited for this opportunity and the chance to dive deeper into a specialized technical field that I’m truly passionate about.

��ӽ紫ý and the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) played a major role in preparing me for this next chapter. As both a student and an educator, I was able to explore a highly specific niche in thermal engineering while also receiving a well-rounded education that gave me the flexibility to take on new challenges.

Through a ��ӽ紫ý–sponsored career fair, I connected with Sierra Nevada Corporation, where my internship became one of the most transformative experiences of my early career. That role helped me grow significantly as an engineer and shaped the direction of my professional path.

The Design Center Colorado Senior Design Program was also instrumental in preparing me for this opportunity. Through a company-sponsored project with Sierra Space, I gained hands-on experience working on satellite systems for the first time.

This project sparked my interest in the space industry and played a key role in motivating me to pursue a career at SpaceX. It also taught me invaluable lessons in teamwork, systems-level thinking, and the technical aspects of spacecraft thermal control, including radiator design. Together, these experiences gave me both the confidence and the skill set to take this exciting next step.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

For future students, my advice is simple: fail often and fail early. Failure is not a reflection of your potential, it is a necessary part of growth. Allowing yourself to struggle, to take risks, and to step outside of your comfort zone will accelerate your learning and help you discover what you are truly passionate about.

Do not be afraid to ask questions, to seek help, or to challenge yourself with difficult material. Academic success is not reserved for those with prior knowledge or natural talent; it belongs to those who are willing to persist, to reflect, and to continue moving forward despite setbacks.

Asaiah Gifford

Gifford is receiving a multitude of recognitions this spring, including the Community Impact Award, Culture Impact Award and Global Engagement Award.

Gifford’s impact on community and culture starts with her strong commitment and demonstrated effort to create a welcoming environment for Black students on campus. She serves as the president of the Alpha Kappa chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the only Black Greek Letter Organization on campus. She has helped connect young students with unique professional development opportunities, helped plan Black History Month and Earth Day events and even encouraged civic engagement by helping fellow students register to vote.

Gifford also displays excellence abroad. As a dedicated board member of CU Engineers Without Borders, she has traveled abroad three times to Spain, Singapore and Rwanda. In each place, her nominator said she was able to bridge communication gaps and navigate different knowledge systems in a professional engineering capacity. But most of all, she treated other communities with respect and kindness, inspiring her peers to study abroad and participate in global efforts themselves.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

After graduation, I will be interning at United Launch Alliance on the mechanical engineering strength analysis team at their factory in Decatur, Alabama, and will be a Brooke Owens Fellow. I'll return to ��ӽ紫ý in the fall to complete my master's degree through the BAM program.

��ӽ紫ý gave me the opportunity to explore different parts of the world and what engineering can and should look like in a range of fields. Those experiences helped me better learn what I value and how I can uphold my values in any work I do.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

The most valuable part of my time in college has been the opportunity to be invested in by others, and my only advice is that other students seek out and build connections that invest in them.

While it’s true that I am very passionate about the activities and experiences I had, and was intentional in my pursuit of them, the meaning I have gleaned comes in whole from the mentors, professors, peers, and other community members that guided and collaborated with me. These amazing individuals are abundant at ��ӽ紫ý, so take advantage!

Madison Seckman

Seckman is receiving three awards this spring, including the Community Impact Award, Global Engagement Award and Research Award.

Her community contributions come from an interesting and unique place. As part of the Balance Builders program, Seckman created a cooking course called Cooking and Community Nights, sponsored by Engineering Connections. Designed around mental health themes, each night was a culinary metaphor for a common mental health struggle experienced by first-year engineering students. The sustainable program helped facilitate difficult conversations regarding mental health and transition periods.

She also served a four-year commitment with Engineers Without Borders Ecuador, where she helped lead the design of essential infrastructure, such as taps and meters, for a community in need. Her nominator says she has demonstrated a clear ability to deliver technical engineering practices while respecting and collaborating with Indigenous Knowledge systems.

Seckman has exhibited outstanding research ability, as well. She spent nearly a year working in the Pellegrino Lab, led by Research Professor John Pellegrino, where she focused on the development of semipermeable graphene-based membrane electrodes. Her work was highly innovative, aiming to create a device capable of powering medical implants like pacemakers and prosthetics using only blood flow.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

Starting this fall, I am transitioning from an internship to a full-time position with Medtronic as a CAS Clinical Specialist providing technical support for physicians in hospitals. I am also moving to Durham, North Carolina where I will be a part-time graduate student at Duke University earning a master's in mechanical engineering.

��ӽ紫ý helped me make connections at Medtronic through the Biomedical Engineering Society, and provided rigorous coursework that helped me get into grad school at Duke.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Don't be afraid to have fun! Focus on your grades when you need to, but stay ahead so you can be spontaneous. Try a new sport or learn a new skill!

Zachary Weiner

Weiner, a Global Engagement honoree, is well-known for his presence on ��ӽ紫ý’s Engineers Without Borders USA chapter. Here, he served as the president and project manager on water source and distribution projects in Guatemala and Ecuador. He even helped establish an exciting new partnership with the Mortenson Center.

Since his involvement in the program began in 2022, Weiner has prioritized listening to community stakeholders, recognizing local expertise and adapting engineering plans to align with cultural values, environmental conditions and community-defined needs. His nominator says that global communities improved as a result of Weiner’s social awareness and responsible engineering.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

This summer, I will start as a Field Engineer with Mortenson Construction's wind team. ��ӽ紫ý gave me the opportunity to explore a wide variety of engineering fields and industries so that I could find what most interested me.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Find clubs and organizations that you care about and get as involved as possible. That is where so much learning and growth happens that can't happen in the classroom.

Danielle Swen

Swen is receiving the Perseverance Award for her unwavering resilience in the face of pressure and adversity. During her time at ��ӽ紫ý, she has juggled heavy coursework and difficult responsibilities while also dealing with personal loss.

But despite these struggles, Swen has always stayed on track and remained a selfless advocate for her peers. She has been a vital support system for others, helping conduct resume reviews and leading professional workshops. Her nominator says she is a student who perseveres by “maintaining a well-rounded and community-focused life.”

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I'm headed to SpaceX as a Propulsion Engineer! CEAS has helped me prepare for this incredible opportunity through great mentors and challenging developmental courses.

As my classes progressed, I began to truly understand the fundamentals of engineering. This helped me become a strong problem solver and better able to make sense of the world around me.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

College was not easy. In fact, it was very difficult!

But that’s okay. One day it will all be done and you will look back and appreciate all of the hard work you put in, how much you learned and the incredible people you met. It is easy to get caught up in the chaos and commotion, so remember to appreciate everything around you every once in a while.

Alexander Aronov

Aronov has earned a Research Award for his work on the SCENIC Colorado program, a National Science Foundation funded effort working to broaden access to engineering education in rural high school classrooms. Every year, SCENIC connects ��ӽ紫ý students with rural high schools to introduce hands-on engineering experiences into the classroom, turning local questions about air and soil quality into real-world research projects.

By investigating how students engage in asking research questions, developing hypotheses, and finding engineering solutions, the SCENIC program has helped address critical gaps in rural STEM education. Aronov’s contributions were significant enough to present at the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Rocky Mountain Conference, as well as publish the team’s results in a primary-authored research paper, marking him as a high-achieving undergraduate researcher.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

This fall, I'll be starting as a 1L at the University of Chicago Law School. Because of my engineering education at CU, I feel better prepared than most might think.

Engineering taught me how to take enormous problems and break them into workable pieces. From senior design to research, the work demanded rigor and collaboration. The combination of thinking analytically while working alongside others is invaluable in any field.

It's a different path than the typical pre-law background, but I think that's going to be an asset. The legal field is full of complex, layered problems with unclear answers. I've been trained to tackle exactly that alongside world-class peers at Boulder.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Find things you are passionate about, and don’t be afraid to push yourself. Take full advantage of the incredible opportunity you have at ��ӽ紫ý. Fill your schedule with a compendium of responsibilities you are genuinely excited about. Wake up Monday morning with that delightful anxiety and excitement as you see how busy the week ahead is.

Few have ever looked back on college and said, “I wish I had done less.”

Mari Sippel

Sippel has earned a Research Award for her incredible research in the Precision Laser Diagnostics Laboratory, led by Professor Greg Rieker. Since her sophomore year, she has progressed from organizing the workshop to conducting complex research that requires precise data acquisition and the use of specialized cameras. Her dedication to consistency ensures that each test provides reliable data for further analysis.

Sippel has taught herself Python and mastered advanced data acquisition methods. While her work involves projects for 3M, the broader impact of her research supports the development of more accurate simulations in the field of fluid dynamics. Sippel’s nominator says she is actively involved in the formal dissemination of her research and is currently in the process of writing a paper for publication.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

This summer, I will be interning at Lerch Bates, an engineering consulting company in Golden. Additionally, I am considering staying at ��ӽ紫ý for my master's degree starting in the fall.

CEAS helped me prepare by connecting me with Katherine McConnell and the MCEN Professions class, which helped me with my resume and networking. I also got my research position through her email list with job opportunities.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Get involved in something outside of class! For me, it was the swim/dive team and research. It was great for meeting new people and learning new things.

Nine students from the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering have earned graduating student awards from the College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2026. These awards honor seniors who are nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students for their outstanding contributions to the college and campus community.

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ME graduate student earns prestigious NSF research fellowship

alse6588 — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:11:57 +0000

ME graduate student earns prestigious NSF research fellowship alse6588 Thu, 04/16/2026 - 15:11

Alexander Servantez

These major awards honor and support outstanding graduate students from across the country in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees.

Awardees receive a $37,000 annual stipend and cost of education allowance for the next three years as well as professional development opportunities.

Read more about Maly’s interests and research below.

Blake Maly

Graduated master’s student, beginning PhD in fall semester

Advisor: Noel Clark

Lab: Clark Liquid Crystal Group

Maly’s research involves using light to study molecular dynamics in complex, ordered fluids. He hopes to use the techniques he’s learned to make advancements in the fields of energy storage or renewable energy generation.

Maly grew up in Arvada, Colorado. He is an avid runner and swimmer who loves to spend time outdoors in the Rocky Mountains. Maly also enjoys sewing and designing his own clothes.

While at ��ӽ紫ý, Maly studied engineering physics and mechanical engineering. He also played saxophone in the Golden Buffalo Marching Band for three years and earned a minor in music.

Maly earned his master’s degree in mechanical engineering in December. Currently, he is taking a semester off to work as a full-time STEM tutor. In the fall, Maly will begin his PhD program at the Colorado School of Mines.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has recognized Blake Maly, a graduate student in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering at ��ӽ紫ý, with a Graduate Research Fellowship Program award. These major awards honor and support outstanding graduate students from across the country in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees.

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Staple-like particles reveal new path to strong materials

alse6588 — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:18:17 +0000

Staple-like particles reveal new path to strong materials alse6588 Tue, 04/14/2026 - 11:18

Alexander Servantez

A tightly packed ball of office staples can be surprisingly strong.Try to pull it apart and the tangled metal resists like a solid object.

But with the right movement or vibration, that same bundle can quickly fall back into loose pieces.

A team of engineers and materials scientists in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering at ��ӽ紫ý are exploring how this uncanny combination of strength and flexibility could inspire a new class of materials built on interlocking particles. By mimicking the way staples lock together and release, the researchers believe these emerging materials can one day form structures that are strong, adaptable and even recyclable.

“We’ve been playing around with the idea of building blocks and geometry for many years, but we started looking at interlocking, entangled particles only recently,” said Professor Francois Barthelat, the leader of the Laboratory for Advanced Materials & Bioinspiration. “We are excited about the combination of properties we can get out of these systems and we believe this technology has the potential to go in many directions.”

Unraveling the research

A bird nest made out of interwoven sticks and fibers.

The work, recently published in the Journal of Applied Physics, focuses on what the researchers call “entanglement”—when multiple particles become intertwined with one another, creating a link.

It’s not a new concept. In fact, nature is filled with examples of objects or materials that tangle and interlock with each other to create strong structures. Think about that giant bird nest on the tree in your neighborhood made out of interwoven sticks and fibers, or the interplay of hard minerals and soft proteins in your bones.

But how can scientists recreate that kind of natural entanglement in manufactured materials? The researchers in Barthelat’s lab say the answer revolves around one key concept: particle shape.

“Let’s take sand as an example. Sand is smooth and convex-shaped, meaning it cannot interlock from grain to grain,” PhD student Youhan Sohn said. “However, we found that if we change the shape of a grain of sand, we can drastically affect its behavior and mechanical properties, including the particle’s ability to link with other particles.”

Once the group came to this realization, they began running Monte Carlo simulations, a type of computational analysis, to predict exactly how the particles interlock with each other. Their goal was to find the optimal geometry that delivered the maximum entanglement.

A video demonstrating a pickup test used to analyze particle entanglement.

After finding the optimal shape, the team performed pickup tests to see how the entangled particles actually behaved.

The tests showed that a “two-legged” particle—similar in shape to a staple—had the greatest potential for entanglement. But the researchers also discovered several unexpected advantages that made the design even more intriguing.

The first was its rare blend of tensile strength and toughness, a combination the researchers say conventional materials rarely achieve simultaneously.

“Our entangled granular material using the staple-like particle demonstrates both high strength and toughness at the same time,” said PhD student Saeed Pezeshki.

Next, was its unique ability to rapidly assemble—and just as quickly come apart.

By applying different vibrational patterns to the material, the team was able to change its level of entanglement on demand. A light vibration, for example, could be used to interlock and strengthen the particles, while a larger vibration could cause them to completely unravel.

“It’s a strange material because it’s obviously not a liquid. However, it’s also not quite solid. This opens new and intriguing engineering possibilities,” Barthelat said. “Handling a bundle of these entangled particles feels very remote and exotic.”

Professor Francois Barthelat at the Triple E Fair showcasing his team's research to help middle school students explore engineering.

PhD student Youhan Sohn guiding middle school students through a series of pickup tests to help them visualize particle entanglement.

PhD student Saeed Pezeshki demonstrating the mechanical behavior of staple-like particles for middle school students.

Reassembling the impact

A close look at a free-standing arch made of crown-leg staples.

One of those possibilities comes in the realm of sustainability. The group believes that one day, large buildings and structures like bridges can be designed using entangled materials, allowing them to be disassembled when no longer needed or even fully recycled.

Or maybe entangled materials can make their way into the world’s next great robotic systems, sort of like the ones you’ve seen in some of your favorite sci-fi movies.

“I was talking with other students who believe this technology can be used in swarm robotics—where small robots can entangle, do a task and then disentangle when they are done,” said Pezeshki.

“Yes, kind of like that liquid metal T-1000 in Terminator 2 who can change shape to slide under a door and then transform back to a human’s size on the other side,” added Barthelat. “It’s expensive and scaling up is a challenge, but it’s something that’s on everybody’s mind.”

A close-up photo showing two spiky burrs in nature.

For now, the group is focused on building out the next phase of their research. They are currently testing a new particle shape with added protruding “legs”—similar to those spiky plant burrs that stick relentlessly to your shoes when you step on them—which they believe can generate even stronger entanglement properties.

But no matter what project they are working on, the team says the most important thing about their work is maintaining the passion and excitement.

“We’re not quite sure where this is going to go, but we’re going to continue the fun,” Barthelat said. “Most people don’t think about making strong materials in this way out of something like staples, because they think it’s counterintuitive. Until they try breaking a bundle of staples in half and see that it’s impossible.

“We love to take a difficult project like this and dig in.”

A tightly packed ball of office staples can be surprisingly strong. Try to pull it apart and the tangled metal resists like a solid object. But with the right movement or vibration, that same bundle can quickly fall back into loose pieces. A team of engineers and materials scientists in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering at ��ӽ紫ý are exploring how this uncanny combination of strength and flexibility could inspire a new class of materials built on interlocking particles.

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��ӽ紫ý mechanical engineering graduate program ranks top 15

alse6588 — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:52:22 +0000

��ӽ紫ý mechanical engineering graduate program ranks top 15 alse6588 Tue, 04/07/2026 - 09:52

The Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering graduate program at ��ӽ紫ý was ranked 14th amongst public institutions for 2026-27, according to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings. Up three spots from last year, the program continues to build on its growing national reputation.

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ME outreach program brings big engineering dreams to small rural towns

alse6588 — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:30:17 +0000

ME outreach program brings big engineering dreams to small rural towns alse6588 Wed, 04/01/2026 - 13:30

Alexander Servantez

For many high school students in rural Colorado, engineering once felt distant—something that happened somewhere else, by someone else.

But over the past decade, an outreach program in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering has been working to change that reality.

The program, known as the Science and Engineering Inquiry Collaborative (SCENIC), connects ��ӽ紫ý students with rural high schools to introduce hands-on engineering experiences into the classroom, turning local questions about air and soil quality into real-world research projects.

Today, the initiative serves 12 schools and nearly 700 high school students across rural Colorado each year. Its origins, however, were far more modest.

The early evolution

Launched in 2012 with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the program began as a research endeavor. At the time, there was only one graduate student working on the project. They were tasked with using an environmental air quality monitor, positioned at Paonia High School, to investigate the impacts of fracking.

A close look at an air quality monitor, otherwise known as a Y-pod, developed in the Hannigan lab.

But it wasn’t long before the monitors proved they could do more than just collect data—they could spark learning.

“One day, a teacher at the high school saw the monitor up on the roof and thought it would make for a good tool in the classroom,” said Daniel Knight, an associate research professor in mechanical engineering and SCENIC co-founder. “It’s a small monitor that could easily fit in the hands of students. We saw the potential and decided to develop a high-school curriculum using the monitor as a way to deliver engineering education.”

By summer 2013, the curriculum was ready and the monitoring device had been redesigned for classroom use. The following year, Knight and his small team were ready to scale the program, expanding their outreach to four rural high schools.

However, the group soon realized that sustaining rapid growth meant recruiting more college students to lead the high school classrooms. That’s when they decided to introduce a new course in mechanical engineering called Project Based Learning (PBL) in Rural Schools.

Developed alongside professor and fellow SCENIC co-founder Michael Hannigan, the year-long class takes a two-pronged approach. During the first semester, college students learn to master the monitoring technology and become confident classroom leaders. In the second semester, they travel to their assigned rural high schools and help teachers implement the engineering curriculum.

“We piloted the course for the first time in the 2015-2016 school year with just eight students and it really worked,” Knight said. “From there, we were fortunate enough to attract more funding, allowing us to add more students and schools. We even brought ��ӽ紫ý’s School of Education onboard to help monitor the program and identify ways we can improve our outreach efforts going forward.”

A broader impact

Now, nearly 30 undergraduate and graduate students enroll in the class each year, guiding rural high schoolers through projects that range from testing indoor air quality to analyzing soil conditions on local farms.

A group of students at Northfork High School in Hotchkiss, Colorado running a soil burning activity to determine the impact of fire on soil quality.

It’s a unique opportunity for rural high school students to turn their own towns into living laboratories. But Knight says it’s also an opportunity for the university to reach students who might otherwise never see themselves in engineering.

“Engineering and science education is very limited in these rural places,” said Knight. “Our goal is to bring a more interesting, project-based approach to their classrooms. That way we can get the word out about engineering and even just about attending college.”

Knight believes that establishing a more robust engineering identity in rural Colorado could benefit local communities, as well.

Rady Mechanical Engineering is already building that pipeline through partnerships with Western Slope universities that help rural students earn engineering degrees. Maybe one day, rural high schoolers inspired by the department’s outreach can return to their hometowns as engineers, bringing new ideas and solutions to their communities.

Or maybe they return to the program, this time as mentors, guiding students at the same rural high school that first sparked their interest in engineering.

“We offer our partnership program students the opportunity to take a remote section of the PBL course, and sometimes students we once mentored in high school come back as college students to take it,” Knight said. “When they are trained and ready to go, we like to send them back to the high schools they came from to mentor the next generation of students. It’s really rewarding to see that full circle moment come to fruition.”

With the program’s NSF award funding set to expire this year, Knight and his team are preparing a new grant proposal to try and keep their outreach alive. But they say maintaining the status quo isn’t enough—they want the program to strengthen and evolve.

“For years, the program has been mainly centered around air and soil science. However, we are also working to add another avenue of inquiry focused on wildfires,” said Knight. “It’s a topic that is extremely important in our state, especially in rural and mountainous areas of Colorado. We hope that adding wildfire questions into our curriculum gives high school students another meaningful way to engage with engineering and real-world problem solving.”

Associate Research Professor Daniel Knight and Professor Michael Hannigan are leading an outreach program that connects ��ӽ紫ý students with rural high schools to introduce hands-on engineering experiences in the classroom. The initiative, known as the Science and Engineering Inquiry Collaborative (SCENIC), serves 12 schools and nearly 700 high school students across rural Colorado each year, turning local questions about air and soil quality into real-world research projects.

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Welker receives Exceptional Graduate Faculty Mentor Award

alse6588 — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:19:33 +0000

Welker receives Exceptional Graduate Faculty Mentor Award alse6588 Mon, 03/30/2026 - 15:19

The ��ӽ紫ý Graduate School has announced that Assistant Professor Cara Welker has earned one of this year's Exceptional Graduate Faculty Mentor Awards. The award honors faculty members for their outstanding contributions either to mentoring individual graduate students, improving the overall climate of graduate education within their program, or improving the graduate program itself.

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PhD student wins prestigious physics contest with endless avalanche experiment

alse6588 — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 20:10:17 +0000

PhD student wins prestigious physics contest with endless avalanche experiment alse6588 Mon, 03/30/2026 - 14:10

PhD student Rylan Hodgson recently created a video that won the American Physical Society's (APS) 2026 Gallery of Soft Matter contest at the APS Global Physics Summit. The video demonstrates a unique view of the dynamics of granular flow with a rolling drum experiment that could one day be used to reveal key information about the mechanics and behavior of avalanches.

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Staple-like particles reveal new path to strong materials

Unraveling the research

Reassembling the impact

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���ӽ紫ý mechanical engineering graduate program ranks top 15

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ME outreach program brings big engineering dreams to small rural towns

The early evolution

A broader impact

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PhD student wins prestigious physics contest with endless avalanche experiment

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��ӽ紫ý mechanical engineering graduate program ranks top 15