Laboratory Labor of Love

Students excel at first-year research experience with UDRI
by Kailyn Derck ’06

L to R: Katherine Sanders, Patrick Erwin, Michael Gonzales, Jon Engelsman, Bradley Sova, Ryan Osysko

For the first time, first-year engineering students are testing, stressing and calculating — for experience and cash — at the University of Dayton Research Institute. A continuing partnership between the School of Engineering and UDRI made possible these unique internships for seven students beginning in fall 2003.

It is a cutting-edge experience not often available to new students, but one that is very beneficial, said Malcolm Daniels, associate dean of undergraduate studies. “It is important for the students because this internship is an opportunity for them to be stretched academically early on,” Daniels said.

In addition to gaining experience, students are being paid hourly for their work by UDRI, where they are assigned to and train on specific projects. Daniels said this is another way UD students are excelling academically. Referring to the students as ambassadors, he said they represent the University at UDRI. He maintains contact with the students and reported they are all in good academic standing and enjoying their work.

UDRI also benefits from the partnership with the chance to mold students into accomplished researchers. “They have the opportunity to shape undergraduates to become an integral part of the University,” Daniels said.

Students were approached with the opportunity their senior year of high school based on academic accomplishments and standardized test scores. They applied for the program and were selected before attending the University in the fall. The internships are part of the larger work-study and co-op offerings available to all students.

The internship offerings are a small part of a recruiting effort that landed the School of Engineering with one of its highest enrollments in recent years. For the 2003-04 incoming class, the school enrolled 322 students, exceeding last year’s attendance by 93 and improving the overall academic profile of the first-year class.

For all seven students, the UDRI internship opportunity has allowed them to carry their classroom experience into real-world projects. Student Jon Engelsman said he knew the University was unique when he met with engineering professors on a campus visit.
“I realized that this was a university where I could easily express my interests in various aspects of engineering and have the opportunity to act on those interests in a variety of ways,” Engelsman said.

The program is funded through research contracts to UDRI. The School of Engineering hopes to continue providing the internships to about eight students a year.

Katherine Sanders of Belleville, Ill., said her experience with UDRI’s Aerospace Mechanics division has made her feel a part of the engineering and scientific community. The data she collects and organizes from running tests on fighter plane windshield transparencies has influenced national and international decisions made by businesses and governments.

“I look forward to designing things that have an impact on how people live their lives,” she said.

In addition to working for UDRI, the mechanical engineering student is a coxswain for the novice women’s rowing team. “The other schools I looked at didn’t have nearly as supportive an environment for the involved student,” she said.

Patrick Erwin of Westerville, Ohio, is working in the Aerospace Mechanics division of UDRI validating reports and documents and purchasing items. He is helping test blocks intended to prevent airplanes from traveling off runways and crashing.

“I always like developing new ideas and putting things together,” he said. “I hope that I can help contribute to some technological advancement that will better help the world someday in the future.” The civil engineering major works about 12 hours a week.

“This experience has helped me to learn much about engineering and has provided me with a good learning experience which will help me in my future,” Erwin said.

Michael Gonzales, chemical engineering major from Englewood, Colo., said he chose UD because of the many opportunities it offered within a community. Extending himself beyond engineering, Gonzales is also a Spanish minor. “I think the Spanish minor will give me an edge and show that I am involved in disciplines other than engineering,” he said.

With UDRI, Gonzales tests ceramic specimens under flexible and tensile stresses. “I thought it would be a great experience and a taste of what I might be doing for a career someday,” he said. “It also gives me an edge over many other students who didn’t get the opportunity I enjoy.”

The opportunity Jon Engelsman of Xenia, Ohio, said he was drawn to was the chance to work with a nationally recognized science and engineering research institute. “Working with real-world engineers has given me insight into the practical applications that I’m learning in my engineering classes,” the electrical engineering major said. “It has allowed me to appreciate better the full engineering experience.”

During his eight-hour work weeks, Engelsman assists on a project that involves the development of an application for nanocomposite materials on carbon-fiber samples and tests the electrical characteristics of such samples.

Bradley Sova of Sylvania, Ohio, is working at Shroyer Park in the Structural Integrity division at UDRI. The computer engineering major does CAD drawings, works with ultrasonic testing and designs collaboration testing tools.

Sova said the best part of his experience has been the atmosphere in his working environment. The office includes co-op students, student interns and full-time employees. With them, he is able to discuss work- and school-related subjects. “It is a very comfortable environment and promotes good working habits,” Sova said. “This experience has given me a lot more confidence when it comes to talking about things in a professional field.”

Undeclared engineering major Ryan Osysko of Parma, Ohio, said he feels his work at UDRI gives him more purpose than “lying around” his dorm. Developing time management skills to accommodate 13 hours of work per week, Osysko said he has “much more control over my life than I used to.”

Working in the Materials Engineering section of UDRI, he assists with the running of tests and mixing of sealants in the sealants and elastomers laboratory.  “I chose to participate because I believed it would be an interesting introduction into a little bit of actual engineering work,” Osysko said.

Not Pictured:
Chemical engineering major John Sieber of Milford, Ohio, does laboratory work for UDRI using a thermo-gravimetric analysis machine. He calculates the quantity of mass burned off as temperatures increase.

“The work has acclimated me to the laboratory scene in addition to providing me with valuable experience in engineering,” Sieber said.

Working about 12 hours a week, Sieber often wishes he had more time to spend on the multitude of other activities that interest him. “I chose the University of Dayton for its strength in engineering education, but also for the community atmosphere and friendly, learning environment the University fosters,” he said.

Reprinted with permission from the Dayton Engineer Spring 2004