News and Notes From the College of Engineering and Technology
Winter 2024
Dr. Carol Massarra, assistant professor in the Department of Construction Management, speaks during the CET Research Showcase. (Photo by Ken Buday)
Showcase highlights research collaboration
Researchers in the College of Engineering and Technology (CET) highlighted their work on military projects that can save lives and save money as part of the CET Research Showcase.
have secured nine grants totaling $4.1 million from the Civil Military Innovation Institute (CMI2), a nonprofit designed to provide quick and effective solutions to support military personnel.
Dr. Harry Ploehn, dean of the college, told a room full of ECU faculty and students, military officials and legislative administrators that the event celebrated collaboration. He said when expert faculty from across campus team with the military and bring in students hungry for real-world experiences, problems get solved.
The projects discussed during the showcase highlighted collaboration among various departments within CET as well as faculty from outside of the college.
“If we do those three things well, then good things are going to happen, both for our partners who need solutions to their problems and for our faculty and for our students,” Ploehn said. Since 2022, CET faculty members
As an example, Dr. Ciprian Popoviciu, assistant professor in the Department of Technology Systems, is working with professors in physiology, chemistry and biology to assess the quality of whole blood that is airdropped to help service members wounded in battle. “To have the opportunity to help in any small way the people who are in the battlefield, who are risking their lives, it is truly not only an honor, but
such an exciting thing, such a driver for us to do a great job,” Popoviciu said.
Dr. Carol Massarra, assistant professor in the Department of Construction Management, collaborated with computer science and technology systems faculty on a project to support building maintenance solutions. “It’s important to give back to people, so this is one way to do that,” she said. “… We’re finding a solution to a problem that exists in the community, and I think that’s very rewarding for us to be able to help.” Other projects highlighted included an effort to improve sustainability and ecosystems through managed plant systems at Fort Liberty and development of a database system to help with operations for the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
Summer 2024 | Engineering & Technology Times | 1