Iowaengineer the university of iowa College of Engineering 2018 Number 2
Iowa Engineer / 2018 number 2
f rom the dea n
Message from the Dean It’s another beautiful fall season in Iowa City, and the halls of the Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences are ringing with the voices of nearly 2,200 engineering undergraduates and more than 270 graduate students. This year’s students are the first group to open the fall with classes in the new Engineering South Annex, and like all of the classes that have come before, they are ready to dive into the challenges and explorations associated with the courses, design projects, research experiences, student organizations, and extracurricular activities that make up the university experience at Iowa. This issue of Iowa Engineer will give you a sense of the energy and excitement generated by our remarkable faculty, staff, and students through their innovative research and educational programs. The stories about Student Entrepreneurs and Automated Driving Research give you a sense of the state-of-the-art experiences that students can find at our great comprehensive research university. Our research and educational programs are clearly strengthened by collaborations with great faculty from all across campus since the most important breakthroughs and innovative ideas require knowledge and expertise from many disciplines. The final story is perhaps my favorite; it describes the remarkable career path (thus far) of a 1999 Mechanical Engineering graduate, Amanda Mikhail. I am continually amazed by the energy, insights, innovation, and accomplishments of the students whom we attract and educate, and I think that you will agree that Amanda is an inspiring example.
Alec Scranton Dean of Engineering
Iowa Engineer / 2018, number 2
TEXT BY SUSAN SHULLAW
An early example of the college’s encouragement of the entrepreneurial spirit is the UI’s Technological Entrepreneurial Certificate program, a partnership begun more than two decades ago with the Tippie College of Business and administered by the UI’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC). The certificate program – which now has more than 130 graduates – enables students to study the entrepreneurial process as it relates to technology. It serves students who intend to start and operate their own business, as well as those interested in learning how to manage innovation in an existing business environment. At the time of its launch, the Technological Entrepreneurial Certificate program was the first of its kind in any U.S. college of engineering. It’s also the first of many ways in which UI engineering students have benefited from JPEC’s entrepreneurial expertise. Another is the Founders Club, a JPEC business incubator specifically designed for students pursuing the creation of a startup while attending the UI. Founders Club participants gain access to a variety of resources including collaborative work space in the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory, workshops, trainings, networking, funding opportunities and one-on-one mentoring from experienced professionals. The program is open to all UI undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. students and has assisted more than 500 student-run businesses.
The ABAL group: Logan Grote, Shamus Roeder, Max Salinger, and Zhuoning Yuan. See the sidebar on the next page for more information about their startup.
Iowa Engineer / 2018 number 2
Given their demonstrated interest in all things entrepreneurial, it’s no surprise that 10 College of Engineering students enrolled their start-up companies in the Founders Club for the 2018 spring semester. Their majors include biomedical, chemical, civil, and electrical engineering, and their businesses are similarly diverse, with several related to education and health care. While still a freshman, electrical engineering major Daniel Machlab spotted a poster promoting a JPEC elevator pitch competition. His start-up concept was still in the idea phase, but he entered the competition, won second place, and was invited to join Founders Club by a JPEC staff member.
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Right: Philip Abangan and Adam Hoffman, with Lyric Harris, co-founded Asonus Tech, winner of the 2017–18 Storer Award. Bottom right: Eric Pahl’s and Dalton Shaull’s startup, HealthTech Solutions, Inc., created an app that helps doctors speed the transplant process.
UI students win TCU startup competition ABAL Therapeutics, a business launched by three University of Iowa students, won the $25,000 grand prize at Texas Christian University’s prestigious Values and Ventures® business startup competition in April 2018. Co-founded by Logan Grote, Max Salinger, and Shamus Roeder, ABAL designs software that replicates the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy that helps children with autism learn to look, listen, imitate, read, converse, and understand another person’s perspective. Normally provided by therapists, ABA therapy can be costly and difficult for many families to obtain. ABAL’s software automates the exercises so that children can access the therapy from an app downloaded to a tablet. ABAL’s leadership team members all are part of the JPEC Founders Club, which Roeder highly recommends to other student entrepreneurs, especially those without a business background. “I still have a lot to learn as an entrepreneur, and am very glad to have been provided mentors and assistance through the Founders Club so we can continue our trajectory,” says Roeder, a senior double-majoring in biomedical engineering and human physiology. “We’re passionate about leveraging technology to benefit people who need it most.”
Machlab’s company, Launchpad Tutoring, connects top UI engineering students with local 7th-to-12th-grade students who need a boost in math skills for classroom performance or ACT preparation. He says his participation in the Founders Club has provided some invaluable lessons. “First, execution is key,” he says. “Make a plan and execute it all the way through. Second, know the pain point that your product or service solves. Third, don’t be afraid to pivot your idea to a different product or service. And finally, be passionate about your idea. I’m excited about creating value through innovation.” Kyle Folken, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering, and his partners have launched HeadsIn, a mobile application that will monitor and track the mental health of student-athletes through a secure survey system. He too has found his Founders Club affiliation to be enormously helpful. “We chose to get involved with the Founders Club to take advantage of the nearly unlimited networking resources,” Folken says. “We have been paired with a fantastic professional adviser, Keith Chiavetta, who has been a huge asset to our team. Since all of the co-founders were students with no professional experience, it has been great to receive this kind of guidance.” In addition to encouraging students to take advantage of entrepreneurial resources throughout the UI campus, College of Engineering alumni have enriched the start-up climate as well. The annual Hubert E. Storer Engineering Student Entrepreneurial Start-up Award, for example, currently provides $5,000 of initial financial support for a College of Engineering student technological business plan. The award was established in 2002 through an endowed gift from the late Hubert E. “Bud” Storer (BS 1959 Industrial Engineering), who was president, owner, and founder of Storer Equipment Company, Shreveport, LA. Winner of the 2017-18 Storer Award is Asonus Tech, co-founded by Philip Abangan, a junior in electrical engineering; Adam Hoffman, a junior in mechanical engineering; and Lyric Harris, a senior in journalism and enterprise leadership – all of whom are involved in the JPEC Founders Club as well. Asonus Tech creates accessories made specifically to alert people with hearing loss about sounds that they may otherwise miss, such as a fire alarm or a doorbell. “Our company provides stylish, affordable devices that are convenient and comfortable to wear,” Harris explains. “The accessories will vibrate and illuminate whenever they detect sounds that the user has selected as important to ‘hear.’” “Similar to Alexa and Siri wake-up calls, our device uses voice recognition and noise classification to create awareness of the user’s surroundings,” Abangan adds. “It’s an ideal device for those who live their daily lives in an environment where hearing is difficult.” Medical technology is also the focus of HealthTech Solutions, which won last year’s Storer Award and was co-founded by UI graduates Dalton Shaull and Eric Paul. In this case, the young start-up garnered national attention as well, earning a
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Iowa Engineer / 2018, number 2
spot in late 2017 on the Forbes magazine “30 Under 30” list, which annually recognizes about 600 young entrepreneurs and innovators in more than 20 industries. The two co-founders created an app called TXP Chat that allows doctors to communicate efficiently and securely about organ donations to speed up the transplant process. Shaull, CEO, is a 2016 UI human physiology alumnus with experience in software, scientific research methodology, and employee management. Pahl, CTO, is a 2015 biomedical engineering graduate who also earned a Technical Entrepreneurship Certificate, and currently is studying health informatics at the UI in pursuit of a PhD in spring 2020. Not every start-up will catch the eye of Forbes magazine, and many young companies will stumble on the road to success. But the College of Engineering, along with its partners across the UI campus and beyond, is working hard to ensure that these would-be “engineers and something more” have access to all the resources they need to achieve their entrepreneurial aspirations. Iowa Engineer / 2018 number 2
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Automated Driving Research at the NADS is in the Fast Lane TEXT BY gary galluzzo
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n the muscle-car crazy 1960’s, there were numerous Rock and Roll songs written about drivers and their love affairs with their fast cars.
For example, the 1964 hit song “Little GTO” by Ronny and the Daytonas began this way: Little GTO You’re really lookin’ fine Three deuces and a four-speed And a three eighty-nine And The Beach Boys had a 1962 song about a Chevy with a “409” engine: Well I saved my pennies and I saved my dimes For I knew there would be a time When I would buy a brand new 409 Giddy up giddy up giddy up 409 How likely is it that songs will be written about the automated vehicles of the future? Not very likely, according to Daniel McGehee, director of the University of Iowa College of Engineering’s National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS). “That’s because cars have become very much like appliances,” MeGehee says. “Fewer and fewer people are interested in getting under the hood to perform maintenance — especially because of all the electronics and computers in cars. Many people either lease a car or buy one to drive for a short period of time before trading it in and buying another one.” However, if — as expected — the use of driver assistance and automated vehicles results in a gradual reduction in the estimated 35,000 people who die in vehicle crashes on U.S. highways each year, then such technologies may get some respect. In fact, it just could be that future automotive historians will write about the revolutionary research that made such lifesaving vehicles possible. And a great deal of that ground-breaking automated vehicle research is being conducted at NADS, currently celebrating its 20th anniversary as the world’s most advanced public driving simulator of its kind. (See: https://www.nads-sc.uiowa.edu)
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Iowa Engineer / 2018, number 2
Iowa Engineer / 2018 number 2
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“We’re currently working with our state Department of Transportation (DOT) and a private company on a high-definition mapping system that gets us down to within six or seven centimeters of accuracy — as compared to one-meter accuracy with conventional GPS,” Daniel McGehee says. “This will drastically increase safety with regard to knowing where the car is in the lane.” A high-definition map can provide lane-specific information, even if the vehicle’s sensors cannot read the lane due to snow, dirt, or other blockages on the road.
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Iowa Engineer / 2018, number 2
In addition, McGehee says that he is proud of former NADS student-researchers, people he refers to as “academic children and grandchildren” and who have gone on to pursue creative positions in academia and in automotive research. “My undergraduate advisor was a Ph.D. student under Professor Richard Simon — so I am also an academic grandchild here,” he says. UI Industrial Engineering alumni include: • Dr. Bobbie Seppelt, MIT Research Scientist with expertise in assessment and analysis of driver behavior in the context of vehicle automation, attention management and distraction. • Dr. Birsen Donmez, University of Toronto Associate Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering with research focus on operator attention in multitask activities, decision support under uncertainty and human automation interaction. • Dr. David Neyens, Clemson University Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering with primary research interest in human factors applications in health care and transportation. • Dr. Shan Bao, University of Michigan Associate Research Scientist with research interests in improving vehicle safety through active means (increased crash avoidance) and passive means (increased crash protection). • Dr. Richard Romano, University of Leeds (UK) Professor and Chair of Driving Simulation with research interests in simulation science and engineering. What systems are NADS researchers investigating today for use in future vehicles? “We’re contributing to driver safety in a very direct way,” McGehee says. The list of current research items includes: • Redundant systems technology in automation. • High-definition mapping that will be used as precise guides for future vehicles. “Many of the technologies coming out in today’s vehicles came through here as part of their research and development and safety testing,” says McGehee. “The decision for the federal government to ultimately require electronic stability control be standard on all U.S. vehicles was solidified by a major study here at the UI, among others.” Auto safety technologies researched at NADS include: • Forward collision warning systems. • Anti-lock brake systems (ABS). • Lane departure warning. • Electronic stability control (ESC). • Adaptive cruise control. • Higher levels of automation.
Iowa Engineer / 2018 number 2
• Understanding the driver’s state and readiness to take over, if necessary. Above all, automated driving systems, like physicians, must do no harm. Therefore, the future of automated driving will require redundant systems to ensure, for example, that a traffic light is correctly read. At least three different independent sensing modes must confirm that traffic signal state before a car will go through the intersection. In other words, multiple sensing sources will need to agree that it is safe to pass through an intersection before the vehicle is allowed to proceed. In the case of high-definition mapping, McGehee says that future automated driving systems will require better mapping than is currently available if they are to adopt increasingly longer periods of self-steering and self-braking. He notes that the one-meter accuracy found in conventional GPS systems is inadequate for systems that may be asked to share driving duties with humans.
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“We’re currently working with our state Department of Transportation (DOT) and a private company on a highdefinition mapping system that gets us down to within six or seven centimeters of accuracy — as compared to one-meter accuracy with conventional GPS,” he says. “This will drastically increase safety with regard to knowing where the car is in the lane.” A high-definition map can provide lane-specific information, even if the vehicle’s sensors cannot read the lane due to snow, dirt, or other blockages on the road. When it comes to understanding the human driver’s state — whether they are reading a tablet or sleeping — McGehee says that computers have a role to play in this area, too. “Today we’re looking at some ‘take-over’ issues involved in driving,” he says. “For example, a kind of computer vision can be focused on drivers to see what they’re doing while driving.” He adds that computer vision in future vehicles may even involve analyzing and improving the state of awareness of drivers. “We can also have the computer monitor the driver’s face, head and posture to see whether the driver is becoming drowsy. We’re tailoring this computer system for individual drivers so that we’ll know what it takes to wake you up if you become too comfortable behind the wheel.” How NADS conducts its research is perhaps as interesting as the research areas themselves. NADS uses naturalistic, or real-world highway testing, as well as the unparalleled NADS-1 driving simulator. (See: https://www.nads-sc.uiowa.edu/sim_ nads1.php) One of the NADS’ naturalistic driving studies involves the use of a specially instrumented production Tesla Model S 75D by regular I-380 road users, says McGehee, who also serves as UI associate professor of industrial and systems engineering, emergency medicine, public health and public policy. In 2017, the U.S. DOT designated the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids I-380 corridor as one of the nation’s 10 Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds.
“We’re learning from California, Arizona, Florida and other states where the technology is being tested. We want to take their experience and build the safest protocols and procedures possible.” Da n i e l M c G e h e e , d i r e c t o r o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f I owa C o l l e g e o f E n g i n e e r i n g ’ s N a t i o n a l A d va n c e d D r i v i n g S i mu l a t o r ( NA D S)
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NADS researchers have equipped the vehicle with additional cameras to record how real drivers perform on real highways using more advanced driver assistance systems such as autopilot, which uses a computer vision and radar system to see lane lines and gauge distances to the car ahead. It brakes, accelerates, and steers itself, but requires that the driver closely monitor driving. The system for instance, requires interaction with the steering wheel to ensure the driver is engaged. In developing a high-definition map, NADS researchers are using a custombuilt research prototype of a Lincoln MKZ. For the test to be successful, the vehicle must be able to navigate using a high-definition map of the I-380 corridor between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. On-board sensors will also be integrated so that the vehicle will see surrounding road users and objects. Automated driving technologies are also tested both in the NADS simulator — where more than 200 miles of simulated U.S. highways provide the closest possible experience to driving an actual vehicle — and in test vehicles on the I-380 corridor. In addition to the Lincoln MKZ and the Tesla Model S 75D, NADS test vehicles include a specially equipped Volvo XC90 and an instrumented Toyota Camry. In all of its research activities, NADS is careful to avoid conducting research that may be too ambitious for today’s drivers. As McGehee puts it, “We’re leading from the front and from behind. We’re learning from California, Arizona, Florida and other states where the technology is being tested. We want to take their experience and build the safest protocols and procedures possible,” he says. When asked about a recent American Automobile Association (AAA) poll showing that public confidence in selfdriving cars is declining, McGehee says current confidence levels are not a good indicator of future acceptance levels of automated driving technology because people currently are unfamiliar with the technology. “Twenty-five years ago we did one of the first GPS navigation studies,” he says. “We asked people whether they would buy a computerized GPS map system for their cars. Many people said ’no’; they weren’t willing to pay even $150, which was a pricing ‘sweet spot.’ But later on, they welcomed the technology after they got to know it.”
Iowa Engineer / 2018, number 2
Another reason for public concern about automated technology may be that many people mistakenly believe that society is rapidly moving toward the adoption of so-called Level 5 “full automation” driverless cars — the kind with no steering wheels in the vehicles. In fact, we are probably decades away from the use of such cars, McGehee says. “The reality is that much of what we hear about today is related to the testing and research and development phase. These are not vehicles that a driver (or rider) can purchase or ride in today, or anytime soon for that matter.” He adds that even Level 3 “conditional automation,” in which a human driver and a computer alternate driving duties depending upon road conditions, is far off in all traffic conditions. “People are really bad monitors. So, we’re dialing back on expectations of automated vehicle systems,” he says.
Iowa Engineer / 2018 number 2
He says that researchers are looking at Level 2 “driver assistance” technology, marked by car steering, acceleration and braking under certain conditions, and which is available in many present-day vehicles. “Level 2 is where we’ll be for some time into the future, and it’s where regular cars are going to have lane positioning, speed control and braking control. So, the driver will continue to be fully responsible for driving the vehicle,” he says. And as for the odds of a new song being written about today’s Level 2 cars, McGehee says you shouldn’t bet on it, what with cars becoming more like appliances. Unless, of course, you think that people will be writing songs about toasters, blenders and refrigerators, too.
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Internal Combustion Engine Sparks Engineering Career TEXT BY jean florman; Photos by Ken Klotzbach of post bulletin co.
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manda Mikhail has a number of claims to fame: IBM engineer and Master Inventor, holder of 25 U.S. patents, Mayo Clinic Administrator, and University of Iowa College of Engineering alumna (BSE 1999). But long before college and career kudos, she was a member of what must have been an elite group of ten-year-olds who are experts in the workings of the internal combustion engine. “The principal of my elementary school was rather mechanically inclined,” Mikhail says, “and one day he set up an old GM Opel four-cylinder engine in a locker room off the gym and told us to have at it.” Mikhail says the principal brought in old work shirts for the students to wear over their school clothes and helped explain to the half-dozen fifth-graders how automobile engines actually work. Once the engine was completely broken down, he then announced, “OK, now it’s apart, let’s put it back together again.” “It was fascinating, and I looked forward to that project every day for a semester,” says Mikhail, who was the only girl in the group. “I still remember what the camshaft looked like, and the smell of engine oil still brings back happy memories.” She adds that the experience and visits with her engineer father to his workplace at the Trane Company manufacturing plant in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, helped plant the notion at a young age that she could be an engineer. When it came time to choose a college, she explored widely—Northwestern, Purdue, and her parents’ alma mater, Iowa State University. “But,” Mikhail says, “Iowa was the standout engineering college for me because of its culture.” Early on she recognized the benefits of “a small college in a large research university” and seized the opportunities such a setting offered, including a chance to minor in Dance, conduct undergraduate research, and work at Rockwell Collins. On the way to earning her undergraduate degree, Mikhail also changed majors as her interests and knowledge evolved, starting with civil and environmental, moving to industrial, and finally landing in mechanical. She adds that both faculty and student services staff members at Iowa supported her as she refocused her academic efforts. That encouragement to explore an array of interests and enhance a range of intellectual skills has served Mikhail very well as she has traversed several professional paths to her current position as an Operations Administrator for Research Administration at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. But years before and shortly after graduating at Iowa, she landed a position as a practicing engineer at IBM Systems and Technology Group. 10
“I pulled into Rochester, my apartment wasn’t ready, so I had to stay at a hotel, and I was about to begin a job in a group that was 95 percent men,” she recalls. “All I could think was, ‘What have I done?’ “But I can tell you, IBM was a really good company to work for,” adds Mikhail, who stayed with IBM for 15 years. During that tenure, she moved into product development and eventually became an engineering manager. She led teams of 20 to 40 professionals, including technicians and engineers with Ph.Ds. across four IBM campuses, and in the process partnered with two international development teams. Along the way, Mikhail also became an inventor, and during her 14 years at IBM, she secured more than 25 US patents and was named an IBM Master Inventor. Her area of expertise focused on high-density interconnect solutions, electrical materials, and circuit card assembly techniques to maximize reliability in harsh operating conditions—perhaps ironic, given that electrical engineering was the one area of engineering she did not pursue while at the University of Iowa. Yet like others in her field, Mikhail understands that all engineers “are programmed to think through all the variables, possibilities, and constraints, to discover ultimate outcomes,” and that that problem-solving mindset seeks solutions that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. Eventually, Mikhail’s professional trajectory took her to a Master of Business Administration at the University of Minnesota and a new challenge at Mayo where today she leads teams of scientists and physicians working to enhance research methods, including clinical trials, to discover improved medications and healthcare devices. When she began at Mayo Clinic in 2014, she wasn’t certain where an engineer would fit in to the needs and culture of one of the world’s more renowned and innovative healthcare providers. In her new position, she began by consulting for improved process and workflow, applying lean production principles for enhanced efficiency. But she soon found a new home in research and research administration, which is more aligned with her previous role as an innovator and product developer at IBM. Her role at Mayo present this dedicated and creative engineer with new opportunities and challenges. “All the managers I worked with at IBM were engineers,” Mikhail says, “but at Mayo, engineers at the collaboration table may not actually be working in an engineering role but rather, leadership roles. And the team also includes non-engineer business leaders, medical researchers and physicians. This diversity makes for a very rich leadership table.”
Iowa Engineer / 2018, number 2
“I pulled into Rochester, my apartment wasn’t ready, so I had to stay at a hotel, and I was about to begin a job in a group [at IBM] that was 95 percent men. All I could think was, ‘What have I done?’ A m a n d a M i k h a i l ( B SE 19 9 9)
She adds that teams often benefit when individuals with diverse educational and experiential backgrounds view problems and solutions in a variety of ways.
back on my way. Even after graduation, she continued to help me through my job transitions and offered strategies for how best to participate in the male-dominated engineering field.”
“Engineers are not intimidated by ambiguity or ill-defined problems,” she notes, “or bashful about asking purposeful questions. We seek outcomes that are evident and transferable, no matter where that process takes us. We’re always digging deeper to understand ‘why not’ as well as why.’”
That investment in undergraduates has inspired Mikhail to give back. As a member of the University of Iowa College of Engineering Advisory Board and the UI Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Advisory Board, Mikhail has relished the opportunity to reconnect with the school, to engage UI students in internship experiences, and to mentor the next generation of engineers—particularly young women. When she and her husband Michael established the Mikhail Scholarship, she was the youngest UI alumnus to create such an endowment for the college. The need-based scholarship supports women engineering students who are involved with the college and the world around them.
She adds that problem-solving determination “goes right back to my Iowa education” and formative years that included considerable intellectual and personal growth that went well beyond typical textbook learning. She still recognizes as special mentors Professor of Mechanical Engineering (now emeritus) Ralph Stephens and Director of Academic Advising and Retention Nancy Schneider. “Professor Stephens was phenomenal,” she says. “He has a firecracker personality, and he made me stretch intellectually beyond my own expectations. His eyes would flash when he really wanted you to do more to push yourself, and he’d say ‘OK, so tell me more, tell me what you’re thinking, and then tell me why.’” And given Mikhail’s early experience tearing down and rebuilding that Opel engine, it didn’t hurt that Stephens is “a car guy.” In fact, well into his academic career, Stephens translated his mechanical engineering vocation into a car-racing avocation. Mikhail adds that both Stephens and Schneider also “cared about me as a person as well as a student.” “I met Nancy on the first day of Orientation,” she says, “and from then on, if I had a crummy day or needed advice about the job-search thicket, I could go into her office and she’d set me
Iowa Engineer / 2018 number 2
“It’s a privilege to meet young women who are interested in engineering,” says Mikhail, who recently was appointed to Southeastern Minnesota’s Rochester Area Math Science Partnership (RAMSP) Board which collaborates with area school districts to incorporate more STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) into the local curriculum. “Particularly for middle school girls there is such a confidence gap about engineering, math, and science, and we need to think deeper and work harder to expose them to career possibilities.” “When they’re working on math and science at the dining room table and the going gets tough and they say, ‘everyone else is smarter than me,’ as parents, we need to douse that fire.” It might even be a good time to introduce them to the wonders of the internal combustion engine.
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co l l e g e n ews
NSF Graduate Scholars Research funding Principal Investigators with
$1M+ in Research Funding
for FY 2017–2018
8 new nsf grants
for FY 2017–2018
NSF Career award NIH
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Dan McGehee
$2,290,330
Dawn Marshall
$1,859,377
Witold Krajewski
$1,568,971
Thomas Schnell
$1,547,959
Frederick Stern
$1,487,120
Xiaodong Wu
$1,277,519
Pablo Carrica
$1,186,004
Edward Sander
$1,085,561
Albert Ratner
$60,000
Ibrahim Demir
$125,378
Xuan Song
$253,427
Julie Jessop
$319,946
Timothy Mattes
$329,993
Gregory LeFevre
$332,125
Ananya Sen Gupta
$360,000
Witold Krajewski
$599,000
Michael Schnieders
$294,770
Joseph Reinhardt
$626,069
Rae Corrigan NSF GRFP Fellowship Biomedical Engineering Rae Corrigan, who is advised by Tom Casavant, Roy J. Carver, Jr. Chair in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, professor of biomedical engineering, and director of the UI Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.
Mallory Tollefson NSF GRFP Fellowship Biomedical Engineering Mallory Tollefson, who is advised by Michael Schnieders, assistant professor of biomedical engineering and researcher in the Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. As a GRFP Fellowship recipient, Mallory Tollefson will gain access to the XSEDE supercomputer as a resource for her research project. Tollefson will use the supercomputer to create an algorithm that optimizes models of proteins. She will apply the algorithm to proteins that are known to cause deafness. Her long-term goal is to develop innovate modeling techniques and a database of protein models to be used in research on genetic mutations and the development of therapeutic drug molecules.
Iowa Engineer / 2018, number 2
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) awards fellowships to outstanding graduate students who have the potential to make significant achievements in science and engineering research. The NSF fellowship award provides the graduate student with three years of financial support within a five-year fellowship period ($34,000 annual stipend and $12,000 costof-education allowance to the graduate institution) for graduate study that leads to a research-based master’s or doctoral degree. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, nationals, or permanent residents, and are selected through the NSF peer review process.
Amina Grant NSF GRFP Fellowship Civil & Environmental Engineering Amina Grant, who started in the program in Fall 2017 and is advised by Michelle Scherer, professor of civil and environmental engineering. Amina Grant is using the GRFP Fellowship to investigate the presence of lead, copper, and arsenic in Iowa drinking water systems. She intends to make all her research data easily available to Iowans, so they can have a tool to assess their water quality and respond to recommendations on how to avoid future lead, copper, and arsenic releases
Rachel Smoak NSF GRFP Fellowship Civil & Environmental Engineering Rachel Smoak, who started in Fall 2017 and is advised by Jerry Schnoor, professor of civil and environmental engineering. Smoak, a member of the University of Iowa’s Sustainable Water Development Program, will use her NSF GRFP award to pursue her own research ideas, while growing as an independent researcher.
Iowa Engineer / 2018 number 2
Margaret Carolan Civil & Environmental Engineering Margaret Carolan, who started in Fall 2018 will be advised by David Cwiertny, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Tori Forbes, associate professor of chemistry in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She designs functionalized nanofiber materials to remove uranium from ground and surface water for application in treatment and sensing devices. Ultimately, she hopes to expand her research focus to capturing a range of inorganic contaminants beyond uranium for incorporation into point-of-entry or point-of-use drinking water treatment technology.
Sania Kamran Civil & Environmental Engineering Sania Kamran, who also is starting in Fall 2018 and will be advised by David Cwiertny. She will use her GRFP Fellowship to assess the environmental fate of commonly used quinone outside inhibitor fungicides. She will investigate processes, such as hydrolosis, photolysis, chlorination products and sorption onto different materials.
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co l l e g e n ews
Appointments
Recognitions
Allen Bradley, professor of civil and environmental engineering and faculty research engineer at IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering, has been appointed departmental executive officer of the department, effective July 1, 2018.
Gregory R. Carmichael, Karl Kammermeyer Professor of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and director of the University of Iowa Informatics Initiative, was elected fellow of the American Geophysical Union.
Nicole M. Grosland, University of Iowa College of Engineering Distinguished Professor has been appointed Associate Dean for Academic Programs, effective February 19, 2018. Joseph Reinhardt has been appointed departmental executive officer of biomedical engineering, effective February 19, 2018. Iowa Geological Survey and IIHR– Hydroscience and Engineering research engineer Keith Schilling has been officially named Iowa’s State Geologist. Schilling, whose expertise is in hydrogeology, had served as acting State Geologist for about a year before his appointment was officially approved by the Board of Regents. Gabriele Villarini, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, has been appointed as the next director of IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering, effective Feb. 15, 2018. Villarini has served as interim director since August 2017 and associate director immediately prior to that, since December 2016.
departures Julie Jessop has been appointed the Hunter Henry Endowed Chair in Chemical Engineering at Mississippi State University. Tonya Peeples has been named inaugural associate dean for equity and inclusion at Penn State’s College of Engineering. Fred Streicher, director of marketing and communications for the College of Engineering, retired June 30. Hired by Richard K. Miller in 1994, Streicher was the first external relations director for the College of Engineering. The marketing and communications programs he developed have been used as a model across campus as well as at other universities. He worked tirelessly to promote the College to local, national and global audiences. 14
Gary Christensen, professor of electrical and computer engineering, was elected fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for his contributions to medical image registration and analysis. Richard “Rick” Fosse, lecturer in civil and environmental engineering has been named a 2018 Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA). APWA’s Top Ten Public Works Leaders are recognized for the career service achievements of public works professionals. This year marks the 58th anniversary of the Top Ten Leaders Awards, which is one of the most coveted and prestigious awards presented by APWA. Esteban Londono, from Lake Villa, IL was the first to earn a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Environmental Engineering at the UI College of Engineering undergraduate commencement ceremony held May 13. Priyadarshini Pennathur, assistant professor of mechanical and industrial engineering and a member of the University of Iowa Informatics Initiative, has been selected to receive the IISE Dr. Hamed K. Eldin Outstanding Early Career IE in Academia Award. The National Association of Engineering Student Councils (NAESC) elected Katie Santangelo, senior majoring in biomedical engineering, to the 2018-2019 Midwest Regional Leadership Team Richard Valentine, professor of civil and environmental engineering, has been selected to receive the Excellence in Environmental Engineering Education (E4) Award for 2018 from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists. The award is granted to an educator who has made a significant contribution to the profession in the area of educating practitioners. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has honored Larry J. Weber, Edwin B. Green Chair in Hydraulics, professor of civil and environmental engineering, and College of Engineering executive associate dean, with the 2018 Hunter Rouse Hydraulic Engineering Award for his directorship of IIHR – Hydroscience and Engineering, his research in monitoring, modeling, and visualization of water quantity and quality at the watershed scale, and for cofounding the Iowa Flood Center at the University of Iowa. The UI student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers was recognized for the 14th consecutive year with a 2017-2018 Outstanding Student Chapter Award. The Board of Regents approved the creation of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering effective July 1, 2018. The new department, led by Geb Thomas, professor, will have ten faculty members, 147 undergraduates, eight masters students and nine doctoral students. Prior to July 1 industrial and mechanical engineering were combined under one administrative unit. Ching-Long Lin will continue to lead the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Iowa Engineer / 2018, number 2
in memoriam
EARL EYMAN 1925–2018
DONALD H MADSEN 1922–2018
KWAN RIM 1934–2018
MANI SUBRAMANIAN 1954–2018
Earl Eyman was an accomplished engineer prior to joining the College in 1966 with a joint appointment in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. Prior to the start of his academic career he had served in the U.S. Navy, worked for the Atomic Energy Commission and Caterpillar Tractor. In 1969 he was named Chair of Electrical Engineering and in 1974 was named Chair of the Division of Information Engineering. He retired in 1992.
As the first associate dean of the College, Don Madsen was a tireless advocate of higher graduation standards for engineering, resulting in the development of a new core course curriculum. He also was the College’s “in-house” architect for the Engineering Building, leaving his mark in many locations – none more impactful than the complete renovation and expansion of the Engineering Library. A registered Professional Engineer, Madsen often served as an expert witness, investigating and testifying in numerous accident cases. His expertise ultimately found its way to the Iowa Supreme Court, which implemented changes in the way expert witness testimony is viewed by the law.
The early 1970s was a defining period for the College of Engineering with a major challenge, the right people, and resources aligned at the same time. That is when then mechanics and hydraulics engineering professor Kwan Rim created a remarkable interdisciplinary vision with a University of Iowa orthopaedic surgeon on the biomechanics of hands and feet to rehabilitate injured patients. That moment evolved into the formation of one of the earliest biomedical engineering programs in a public institution in the U.S. in 1974. Through Dr. Rim’s breakthrough leadership, the program has become one of the nation’s most prestigious and largest, and today continues to be an inspiring catalyst to join all engineering disciplines with human health and saving lives.
Mani Subramanian earned his Ph.D., in biochemistry from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India in 1978 and moved to the United States as a postdoctoral fellow. He had an illustrious career, first in the corporate sector with Dow Chemical, Maxygen, and Novartis/Sandoz Agro, and then in the academic world as a professor of chemical and biochemical engineering. Subramanian joined the faculty at the University of Iowa in 2005 as the director for Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing where he started its cGMP biomanufacturing facility, expanded its client base, and created a research program centered on discovery of biocatalytic processes for biochemical engineering.
Rebecca Rowe passed away August 27, after a six-month battle with cancer. Becky served 4 deans over 25 years as assistant for the dean in our College of Engineering. While at the University of Iowa, Becky was recognized with the Outstanding Staff Award in 1993 and by the College of Engineering with the Mary Sheedy Award in 2006. Her exceptional work at the college was recognized not only by our faculty, staff, and students but also by her peers across campus.
Iowa Engineer / 2018 number 2
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R. Kelly Ortberg (BSME 1982) Awarded UI Distinguished Alumni Award for Achievement
Distinguished Engineering Alumni Academy Inductees ALEXANDER CARTWRIGHT inducted May 13, 2018
Career: 1987 2006
Joined Rockwell Collins in 1987 as a program manager Promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer of Commercial Systems 2010 Named executive vice president and CEO of Government Systems 2012 Appointed president 2013 Named CEO 2015 Named chairman 2018 Named CEO, Collins Aerospace Systems, United Technologies Corporation
Accomplishments: When Ortberg was named CEO in 2013, he immediately moved to accelerate the company’s growth by expanding global business initiatives, repositioning the company’s Government Systems portfolio, and transforming the aviation ecosphere through new information management services. Under his leadership, Rockwell Collins has been added to the Fortune 500 list with more than $5 billion in annual revenues and has been named one of “America’s Best Large Employers” by Forbes magazine two years in a row. It is especially noteworthy that Rockwell Collins is the only aerospace and defense company named as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by The Ethisphere Institute. In 2017, Kelly Ortberg was recognized with a national Glassdoor Employee’s Choice Award, which recognizes the 100 Highest Rated CEOs in large U.S. companies throughout North America and Europe.
Memberships: Iowa Business Council Board of Governors of the Aerospace Industries Association
BSE 1989 Electrical Engineering, PhD 1995 Electrical and Computer Engineering
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r. Alexander N. Cartwright is an internationally recognized researcher and scholar in the area of optical sensors. In August 2017, he became Chancellor of the University of Missouri, coming to MU from the State University of New York (SUNY) where he served as provost and executive vice chancellor from September 2014 to July 2017. The University of Missouri is the flagship institution of higher education in Missouri. In November 2016, Dr. Cartwright was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He was recognized for, “outstanding research, teaching and mentorship in optics, for advancing science in New York, nationally, and internationally, and for strengthening diversity and inclusion in science.” In 2014, he was appointed Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Dr. Cartwright is a Fellow of SPIE—The International Society for Optical Engineering; a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE); a member of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), Eta Kappa Nu, and the Materials Research Society (MRS).
College of Engineering Advisory Board Rockwell Collins Board of Directors Good Government Committee Hawkeye Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America Governor’s STEM Advisory Council FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
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Iowa Engineer / 2018, number 2
W.C. Ditch inducted October 24, 2017 BSME 1956
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ill Ditch’s entrepreneurial spirit, ethical standards, and drive to complete complex projects has led him to a career filled with innovation, determination, and success. After graduation, Ditch was hired by AT&T, and led projects establishing communications networks across the country and the world. Ditch founded his first company, The Sterling Group, in 1986. The Sterling Group, with more than 600 employees nationwide, had many subsidiaries and affiliated companies. Ditch served as CEO, was on the Board of Directors, and served as an officer on most of the companies in the group. The Sterling Group was sold in December 2013 to Cennox, a British global leader in banking and retail support services. Ditch’s knowledge transcended all aspects of the companies, from specialized unit pay systems, routing field employee work schedules, technical aspects of all types of fieldwork, and insurance. The companies included Sterling Security Services, Inc., Arizona Sterling Protection, Inc.; Sterling Security Systems, Inc.; ASI/Alarm Services, Inc., and Alarm Response, Inc.
JAMES R. WHITELEY inducted November 8, 2018 BSME 1962, MS 1964 Industrial Engineering
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im Whitely founded Vail Systems in 1991 to make conversations better through technology. He gravitated towards computing, inspired by a mentor who told him, “It is the only invention that extends the human mind.” His 35 years of computer and telecommunications start-up experience has driven Vail’s direction and innovation through different phases, from a physical box in a dedicated building to, most recently, the cloud. Vail still uses the first principals Whiteley learned at Iowa: work to make people around you better, revision is about making things better; and most importantly, the proper use of technology can change the world. Whiteley is also the founder and board member of Vail’s sister company Versay® Solutions, a CX design and application solutions agency based in Chicago that helps companies build compelling customer experiences on any communications platform.
Iowa Engineer / 2018 number 2
MARK WIESNER inducted December 17, 2017 MS 1980 Civil and Environmental Engineering
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r. Mark R. Wiesner is a recognized leader in the national and international civil and environmental engineering community.
Wiesner is James B. Duke Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University. He also holds the W. H. Gardner, Jr. Department Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering, in the Edmund T. Pratt, Jr. School of Engineering; is Chair of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering; and serves as Professor of Environmental Science and Policy and Professor of Earth and Ocean Sciences. In 2015, Wiesner was named a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE)—one of the highest professional distinctions for engineers. He was cited for “contributions to membrane technologies for water treatment and understanding of environmental behavior and risk of nanomaterials. His research leadership has earned him accolades that include the 2011 NWRI Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Prize for excellence in water research and the 2004 Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) Frontiers in Research Award. He coedited/authored the book “Environmental Nanotechnologies” and serves as Associate Editor of the journals Nanotoxicology and Environmental Engineering Science and Co-editor of the journal Desalination. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
The Distinguished Engineering Alumni Academy was created to honor University of Iowa engineering alumni for their personal contribution toward engineering achievement, leadership, and service to the profession and to society. Eighty-six alumni have been inducted to date. Member names, biographical sketches and nomination procedures can be found on the College of Engineering Alumni web page. The members are also featured in a permanent display outside the Stanley Auditorium in the Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences.
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1940’s 1950’s in memoriam
in memoriam
Garald F. Allen (42MS) of Venice FL, February 13, 2018.
James H. Babcock (58BSEE) of Herndon, VA, February 16, 2018
Richard L. Buchwalter (47BSCE, 48MS) of Pickerington, OH, February 6, 2018.
John S. Becic (57BSME) of Troy, MI, April 16, 2018.
Clyde Cammack (49BSME) of Cedar Rapids, IA, July 6, 2018. George R. Dane (48BSIE 1948) of Iowa City, IA, January 13, 2018. John H. Dawson (41BSCE) of Thousand Oaks, CA, March 14, 2018. Paul K. Francescon (47BSME) of Coal Valley, IL, March 5, 2018. Howard M. Gammon (48BSME) of Wall Township, NJ, January 6, 2018. John L. Goetz (47BSEE) of Cedar Rapids, IA, April 5, 2018. Lawrence A. Hamre (48BSME) of Rochester, MN, February 4, 2018. Dean H. Johnson (43BSME) of Orion, IL, April 9, 2018. Richard L. McCreedy (48BSCE) of Iowa City IA, March 31, 2018. Carl F. Schnoor (43BSCE, 48LLB) of Perry, IA, June 2018.
1960’s in memoriam Patrick A. O’Malley (59BSME) of Santa Barbara, CA, June 13, 2018.
Philip H. Francis (60MS, 65PhD) of Georgetown, TX, February 23, 2018.
Clare J. Schroeder (59BSCE) of Urbandale, IA, January 26, 2018.
Gary S. Gregory (68BSME) of Davenport, IA, April 10, 2018.
Robert C. Stiefel (59MS) of Dublin, OH, April 4, 2018.
Lynn G. Groe (69BSEE) of Waukon, IA, January 14, 2018.
Theodor S. Strelkoff (55MS, 62PhD) of Butler, MO, January 7, 2018.
Gary D. Phillips (66BSEE, 68MS) of San Jose, CA, July 25, 2018.
Russell F. Colton (52BSME) of Cedar Rapids, IA, March 14, 2018.
Ronald R. Wait (56BSEE) of Bettendorf, IA, April 25, 2018.
James R. Phillips (69BSEE, 73MS) of Iowa City IA, May 1, 2018.
Clifford Lloyd Freyermuth, Jr., (56BSCE, 58MS) of Phoenix, AZ, January 12, 2018.
Howard D. Walrath (59BSEE) of Shady Shores, TX, February 28, 2018.
Larry L. Piper (65BSEE) of Hot Springs Village, AR, February 28, 2018.
Robert W. Johnson (56BSCE) of Elgin, IL, March 17, 2018.
Lyle A. Ware (58BA, 60BSME) of Albuquerque, NM, February 25, 2018.
Richard H. Briceland (54BSME, 55MS) of Washington, D.C., April 7, 2018. Robert W. Burkhardt (53BSChE, 55MS) of Yucca Valley, CA, July 20, 2018.
Robert B. Leaverton (59BSCE) of Des Moines, IA, January 5, 2018. Jerry D. Nelson (57BSCE) of Cedar Rapids, IA, April 2, 2018.
John E. Westwick (56BSEE) of Avon, IN, August 13, 2018. Philip L. Wilson (50BSChE) of Saint Louis, MO, July 21, 2018.
Marlyn G. Schepers (69MS) of Muscatine, IA, August 9, 2018. Richard C. Simpson (64MS) of Lake City, MN, April 30, 2018. Henry W. Tieleman (64MS) of Riner, VA, January 12, 2018. Philip E. Townsend (61BSME) of Sun City, AZ, June 18, 2018.
Kenton Coons (65BSEE) and Dale Bacon (65BSCE) returned to campus to celebrate their 50th class reunion.
Robert E. Vannice (47BSCE) of Fremont, OH, April 13, 2018. Howard O. Weger (49BSEE) of Peoria, AZ, January 1, 2018.
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Iowa Engineer / 2018, number 2
1970’s in memoriam Roger D. Anderson (71BSME) of Marengo, IA, March 14, 2018 Ronald A. Malachowski (71PhD) of Williamsville, NY, May 22, 2018. Clinton R. Prischmann (71MS) of East Moline, IL, March 23, 2018.
2000’s Members of the Class of 1973 returned to campus for their 45th reunion. Attending were: Philip Burns, Denny Gannon, Tom Mielnik, Richard Rocarek, Robert Weaver, and Jim Waddell. Members of the Class of 1978 returned to campus for their 40th reunion. Attending were: Les Kuehl, Patricia Coleman, and Mike Billingsley.
William H. Rebholz (73BS, 82BSChE) of Marshfield, WI, September 16, 2018. M. Daniel Rockwell (71MS) of Cedar Rapids, IA, March 31, 2018. Joe C. Willis (76PhD) of Oxford, MS, February 19, 2018.
1980’s in memoriam Allen R. Kluesner (87BSE) of Florissant, MO, October 4, 2018.
Dave Michaelsen (75BSCE), proclaimed the “biggest Hawkeye fan in South Texas” and chief engineer for the Port of Corpus Christi, retired March 29, 2018.
Kimberly A. Normoyle (89BSE, 00MBA) of Cedar Falls, IA, January 23, 2018.
Shankar Planjery (73MS), along with family, friends, students, and college administrators, participated April 6 in a dedication ceremony of the Planjery Conference Room in the new Annex to the Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences. A special memorial plaque recognizing the late Ching Jen “Marty” Chen, former professor and departmental executive officer of mechanical engineering at the University of Iowa was placed outside the conference room.
Jack Harris (81BSME) was named the chair for the IMS International Manufacturing R&D Collaboration Program. Harris is founder/president at Harris Innovation Group, an engineering/manufacturing consultant company.
1990’s Steve Maddocks (91BSE) is senior director of manufacturing at Pinnacle Foods, Cedar Rapids, IA.
Iowa Engineer / 2018 number 2
in memoriam David C. Cell (09BSE) of Davenport, IA, May 29, 2018.
Jennifer Bassik (00BSE) is director of product marketing at Signal™, Chicago, IL. Abbie Bys (07BSE) is now director of product development at Label Insight, Inc. Anne (Buchele) Campbell (09BSE) is a project manager at Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL. Kate Cribben Cunningham (08BSE, 09MS) has joined Active Motif, Carlsbad, CA as a product manager. Africa Espina (02BSE, 04MS) has joined Locus Technologies, Mountain View, CA as manager of environmental services. Isaac Helmer (08BSE) was promoted to Global Operations Project Manager at Boston Scientific, Minneapolis, MN. Michael Lee (08BSE) has been promoted to Global Sales Operations Manager with CIVCO Medical Solutions, Coralville, IA. Leroy Magwood (09PhD) has joined Holo, Inc., Oakland, CA, as a material scientist. Marcelo Mena-Carrasco (03MS, 07PhD) has been named practice manager, carbon markets and innovation of the World Bank Group: 189 member countries, staff from more than 170 countries, and offices in over 130 locations. It is a unique global partnership of five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries.
Kate (Merchie) Need (08BSE, 09MS) is a restoration program manager with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center at Offutt Air Force Base, NE. Ben Orozco (02BSE) is senior engineer and project manager at APECS Inc. Jeff Skrentner (05BSE, 06MS) is corporate quality engineer at Michael Foods. Karsten Temme (02BSE, 03MS) was quoted in an ieee.org Spectrum story on “Bioengineers Aim to Break Big Ag’s Addiction to Fertilizers.” To read the story, go to https://spectrum.ieee. org/energy/environment/bioengineers-aim-to-break-bigags-addiction-to-fertilizers. Jie Zeng (06PhD) was recently promoted to the position of principal engineer at the South Florida Water Management District.
WEDDINGS Allison Kindig (15BSE) and Jonathon Sueppel were married September 15, 2018, in Cedar Rapids, IA. They reside in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Future Engineers Beth (Westlake) (07BSE, 09MS, 10MS, 16MS) and David Blanco (10BSE) welcomed Thomas, born August 27, 2018. Nathan (07BA, 07BSE, 11MD) and Whitney Whitlow welcomed Lochlann Fitzgerald Whitlow on September 28, 2018.
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2010’s Jared Corso (14BSE) is a software development engineer with Amazon Go. Nicole Felderman (16BSE) was promoted to rotational engineer at CIVCO Medical Solutions. Anastasia Hertz (17BSE) is clinical account specialist at Biosense Webster. Weifei Hu (15PhD) has been appointed assistant professor at Zhejiang University. Morgan Mays (10BSE) has joined HDR, Cedar Rapids, IA, as a project manager. Alexandria (Carli) Martinson (11BSE) is a zone operations manager with PepsiCo, Asheville, NC. Cody Metz (14BSE) was named a 2018 ICR All Star by Kirkwood Community College. Cody is a junior developer at Bio::Neos. All Stars of ICR honors young people making an impact in Eastern Iowa’s key industries, and brings occupations with shortages to the forefront in an effort to grow talent pipelines. Emily M Miller (17BSE) is a graduate teaching assistant, Clemson University Department of Biological Sciences. Brianna O’Neal (12BSE) was promoted to senior manufacturing process engineer at 3M, Maplewood, MN. Courtney Paulsen (15BSE) started a new position as digital business integration consultant at Accenture. Bryan Peterson (15BSE, 16MS) is an application support engineer with Siemens PLM Software.
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2018 Megan Phillip (15BSE) has been promoted to maintenance supply chain leader at Frito-Lay at PepsiCo, Charlotte, NC.
Kelsi Dahms (18BSE) is a quality engineer with Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN. Tess Davis (18BSE) is an R&D Engineer | Endoscopy at Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA.
Clarissa Richard (16BSE) has joined Duty First Consulting, Washington, D.C. metro area, as a consultant.
Ahmed Elmaleh (18BSE) is an Edison Engineer with GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI.
James Robinson (17BSE) is a field engineer with Kiewit, Provo, UT. Eryn Stone (11BSE) has joined HR Green, Inc. Cedar Rapids, as a project engineer. Dave Svak (13BSE) is a senior manufacturing engineering manager, Rockwell Collins, Dallas, TX. Mitchell Vane (13BSE) joined Verathon Inc., Seattle, WA, as a manufacturing engineer. John Wagner (15BSE) has started a new position as sales engineer at PNA Plastics, Inc.
Kayla (12BSE) and Chris (11BSE, 12MS) Hill (above) welcomed Eleanor Kamber Hill on August 4, 2018. Eryn (Datillo) (11BSE) and Jason Stone (11BSE) (below) welcomed Autumn Michelle Stone on May 27, 2018. Autumn joins older sister Harper.
Ethan Glenn (18BSE) is a manufacturing engineer with the HON Company, Muscatine, IA. Michael Haas (18BSE) is a quality engineer with Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN. Samantha Hauser (18BSE) is a field service engineer with PROCEPT BioRobotics, Redwood City, CA. Shea Hawkins (18BSE) is a software test engineer with ABB, Burlington, IA. Nathan Hess (18BSE) is a software developer at Genova Technologies.
WEDDINGS
Tyler Holan (18BSE) is a project engineer at Hufcor, Inc., Janesville, WI.
Stephanie Swanson (11BSE) and Blake Rasing (12BBA) were married May 19, 2018, in New Hampton, IA. They reside in Chicago, IL.
Anthony Kirrish (18BSE) is employed with Schneider Electric, Power Solutions Development Program, Nashville, TN.
FUTURE Engineers Jared (10BSE) and Heather Bogue (10BA) welcomed Jaxon Arthur on June 4, 2018. Benjamin (10BSE) and Ellen (Sauter) Datillo (11MS) welcomed Maren Sabine Datillo on April 25, 2018.
Maria Fernanda Larraga Martinez (18BSE) is a student at Baylor College of Medicine in the Master’s of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics program. Jack Lesniewski (18BSE) is a consulting analyst at Cerner Corporation. Alyssa Mendenhall (18BSE) is employed with Miromatrix. Ford Minaghan is (18BSE) a research and development intern at Oakwood Labs, Bedford, OH.
Iowa Engineer / 2018, number 2
From the Center for Advancement Chad Mirabelli (18BSE) is an automation systems design and sales engineer with WITRON Group, Arlington Heights, IL. Madison Murhammer (18BSE) is a graduate student in the University of Iowa College of Law. Elizabeth Niedert (18BSE) is a graduate student in the Cardiovascular Imaging Research Laboratory led by Dr. Craig Goergen at Purdue University. Thomas Niemeyer (18BSE) is a project engineer with Musco Lighting, Oskaloosa, IA. Paige Parker (18BSE) is a manufacturing engineer with John Deere, Waterloo, IA. Velarchana Santhana (18BSE) is a graduate student in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa. Kara Schneider (18BSE) is a technology analyst with Accenture, Chicago, IL. Jessica Shull (18BSE) is a sales engineer with Emerson, Marshalltown, IA. Jake Uribe (18BSE) is an associate consultant with Model N, Palatine, IL. Matthew Vandegrift (18BSE) is a production management engineer with Cargill, Iowa Falls, IA. Joseph Weeks (18BSE) is a mechanical engineer with Bluestone Engineering, Johnston, IA. Amanda Wootonn (18BSE) is a mechanical engineer with Integrated DNA Technologies, Coralville, IA.
A small engineering college situated in the middle of a liberal arts campus affords University of Iowa Engineering students remarkable access to a technical education, a student body pursuing a broad knowledge of the world, and numerous chances for real-life experiences in research. Engineering Student Organizations are often where these hallmarks of Iowa Engineering converge; and the College of Engineering is invested in continuing to create opportunities for students to further develop themselves as capable engineers ready for the 21st century world. Ranging from professional and honors organizations, service-base projects, to large competition-style teams, Engineering student organizations allow students to gain first-hand experiences. Teams compiled of members from all over campus develop skills in managing a budget, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leading a team. However, as our student leaders have become more accomplished and ambitious, funding our 30+ student organizations now presents a challenge. Within the last year, groups have sought funding to build a robotic boat, build a solar car, attend national competitions, cover travel and material costs to build bridges in Nicaragua, and to build the Homecoming Corn Monument in addition to the student organizations looking to cover the costs to attend conferences or host on-campus speakers. You can help our Engineering Students continue to develop a well-rounded university experience by choosing to support our Engineering Student Organization Fund. These gifts reduce the financial obstacles our 30+ student organizations face and allow them to travel to conferences, purchase necessary materials, and grow their professional networks. For more information on how you can make a gift to support our Engineering student organizations, please visit www.givetoiowa.org/engineering and click on the Engineering Student Organization Fund. The College of Engineering really is committed to creating engineers . . . and something more. In fact, I’ve heard stories from many of you describing what it was in addition to a great technical education that drew you to the University of Iowa. Engineering student organizations are yet another aspect of preparing students to become well-rounded engineers. Thank you to all who have already shown support to our students by investing in our college. I’m excited to continue to meet and work with all of our Hawkeye Engineers. Matt Kuster Associate Director of Development College of Engineering University of Iowa Center for Advancement matt.kuster@foriowa.org 319-467-3720
Dan Yan (18BSE) is a research trainee at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Iowa Engineer / 2018 number 2
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Iowaengineer The University of Iowa College of Engineering Office of the Dean 3100 Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences Iowa City, Iowa 52242–1527 Phone: 319-335-5764 Fax: 319-335-6086 E-mail: iowa-engineer@uiowa.edu Web: www.engineering.uiowa.edu Iowa Engineer is published for College of Engineering alumni and friends. Dean Alec B. Scranton Editor Wendy Brentner Writers
Jean Florman Gary Galluzzo Susan Shullaw Connor Danielson
Photographers
Justin Torner Tim Schoon Aneta Goska Michelle Danielson H.G. Thompson John Riehl Ken Klotzbach of Post Bulletin Co.
Design Benson & Hepker Design © 2018, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
The University of Iowa prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or any other classification that deprives the person of consideration as an individual. The university also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to university facilities. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact the Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, the University of Iowa, 202 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1316, 319-335-0705 (voice), 319-335-0697 (TDD), diversity@uiowa.edu.
2018 University of Iowa ASCE Corn Monument TEXT BY Conner Danielson Photo by michelle danielson
From the rolling fields of corn to the west side lawn of the Old Capital, the Hawkeye spirit always resides. Dating all the way back to 1914, the corn monument has been an on-again, offagain homecoming tradition. After being off for a few years, the University of Iowa’s American Society of Civil Engineers’ student chapter decided to revamp this timeless tradition again in 2014. Students throughout campus come together each year to help construct and decorate a new monument. In recent years, the University of Iowa Civil Engineering department has used its Civil Practice course as a gateway for new and inspiring ideas for the coming year’s corn monument. Each year the ASCE Advisor and former Corn Monument Director pass along the torch to a fellow student to lead the coming year’s monument. The new director is tasked with carrying out all aspects of the selected design for the upcoming monument. This is no little task and is far from the normal group project one might try and relate it to. The central goal of the corn monument is to unite the University and surrounding community during homecoming week. It is used to celebrate what makes the University and the State of Iowa so special. This year, ASCE was very fortunate to work with recent University of Iowa graduate, Julia Wolfe. Wolfe is the artist who beautifully illustrated “The Wave” in a mural displayed on the front of this year’s monument. This was envisioned by assistant director, Breanna Jensen, to include such an amazing piece of art within the towering monument. Running with this idea, assistant directors David Millmeyer, Jacob Molden, Breanna Jensen and director Conner Danielson went to work. This consisted of making models, completing an inventory of materials, prepping new materials
and producing an overall cost estimation. Soon after producing the cost estimation, the team reached out to friends, family and fellow Hawkeyes to raise the funds needed to carry on this wonderful tradition. Utilizing Conner Danielson’s design for the 2018 monument, the team, as well as many volunteers, went to work framing and constructing what would be an 18ft towering monument of corn and wood. Volunteers from the Campus Activities Board, STAR, the College of Engineering, and IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering, as well as friends and family came together to take part in something greater than themselves. Not only did students at the University of Iowa partake in the homecoming festivities, but also, some children at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital got to include their handprints among the art highlighted on the monument. The team’s vision of unity, success, and love finally started taking shape in the forms of giant 4ft x 6ft plywood and corn letters. The theme of this year’s corn monument can be summed up in three words: Win the Day. Each Saturday, when the Iowa Hawkeyes are playing in historic Kinnick stadium, everyone participates in the nationally known event, “The Wave”. This ultimate sign of unity comes after the first quarter ends and before the second quarter starts, when every person sets aside their differences to come together to “Win the Day”. Those three words: Win the Day represent the ideals of Iowans and Hawkeyes alike. The ideals that exist from the cornfields of Iowa to the classrooms throughout the University, is that we are here to make a positive impact in those lives around us. From the rolling fields of corn to the west side lawn of the Old Capital, Win the Day.
Iowa Engineer / 2018, number 2