Alumni Feature

Aerospace grad has leading role on OSIRIS-REx asteroid mission

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 16:53:38 +0000

Aerospace grad has leading role on OSIRIS-REx asteroid mission Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/21/2023 - 10:53

Jeff Zehnder

Mike Moreau (AeroEngr MS’97, PhD’01) is NASA’s Goddard’s sample recovery manager for the mission that has seen an Earth-built probe fly more than 600 million miles to the asteroid Bennu, scoop up a sample of rocks, dust, and regolith from the surface, and fly back home.

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CU Boulder engineering grad builds world-leading materials science company

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 22:42:21 +0000

CU Boulder engineering grad builds world-leading materials science company Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 07/31/2023 - 16:42

Susan Glairon

Paul Lichty’s journey from PhD student to running one of the world’s top atomic layer deposition (ALD) companies was shaped by his time at CU Boulder. Today, Lichty (MechEngr BS‘06, ChemEngr PhD‘11) is the CEO of Forge Nano, overseeing the development of the Thornton, Colorado-based company’s cutting-edge nano coating technology.

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Alumni Spotlight: ShoeSense is off and running, with help from CU Boulder entrepreneurial ecosystem

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 22:28:33 +0000

Alumni Spotlight: ShoeSense is off and running, with help from CU Boulder entrepreneurial ecosystem Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/14/2023 - 16:28

Michael Lock Swingen

When Connor Winter (MechEngr’16) decided to pursue a Certificate in Engineering Management in conjunction with his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, it put him on a path that would lead to the founding of his own startup company, ShoeSense.

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Advancing regenerative medicine as a CU Boulder biomedical engineer

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 16:29:01 +0000

Advancing regenerative medicine as a CU Boulder biomedical engineer Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/07/2022 - 10:29

Jeff Zehnder

Kaitlin Mccreery (MechEngr MS’20, BioEngr PhD’22) is pushing the frontiers of human cartilage research as a biomedical engineering PhD graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Mccreery is one of the first students to earn a PhD from the program, which began at CU Boulder in 2020 to bridge the gaps between science, engineering, and medicine.

“I am in the field of mechanobiology. It’s all about how cells respond to mechanical cues from their environments and how those cues affect cell differentiation, stem cell fate, and ultimately tissue architecture. There are a lot of questions here that haven’t been answered yet,” Mccreery said.

Her research is focused at the microscopic level and even smaller – on atomic-level interactions that determine how cells behave and build tissues.

“It’s difficult to disentangle the biomechanical and biophysical cues. We want to better predict things, but getting cause and effect determined is nuanced,” she said.

The research has significant implications for regenerative medicine, an area of growing importance to humanity.

Mccreery spent her masters and PhD conducting experimental research on cells under the direction of Corey Neu, a professor in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering. She is continuing in his lab this fall as a postdoctoral associate, expanding her investigations into multiscale modeling, using big data methodologies and supercomputers for biomedical research.

“There is a huge repository of data available that is underutilized. Anyone funded by the National Institutes of Health has to upload their data to government servers for anyone to use. A lot more medical breakthroughs could happen by integrating these large datasets. It’s a new frontier,” Mccreery said.

Building a career in biomedicine is the culmination of long-held aspirations for Mccreery, who has been interested in science since childhood.

“I’ve always wanted to be a scientist,” she said. “I did a project in middle school studying a fungus affecting amphibians in my hometown. I got really into research.”

It was perhaps an unlikely drive for Mccreery, who grew up in a household with a strong arts emphasis – her father is a professional cellist, her mother a professional violinist – but her parents encouraged her interests.

“For generations, people in my family have been musicians. I’m kind of the black sheep. Everyone else is in performing arts,” Mccreery said.

A North Carolina native, Mccreery enrolled at Duke University for her bachelor’s, earning a degree in physics. She was drawn to CU Boulder for her graduate education in part by the university’s collaborative culture.

“CU Boulder has a really great cooperative research environment. I’ve worked in many different labs during my time here. There’s cutting edge research happening, but people aren’t competitive about it. Science can’t happen in a bubble. To be a good engineer is to be an excellent teammate,” she said.

Mccreery’ hopes to continue a career in research long term and next year, will begin a position with the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Biomedicine in Münster, Germany. There, she will be studying stem cell mechanobiology and chromatin mechanics using advanced microscopy and computational methods.

“This is mission-driven biomedical research,” Mccreery said. “I feel like the area I’m working in has the greatest need.”

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Alumni Volunteer Spotlight: Arthur Antoine, PhdCivEngr'17

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 20:18:26 +0000

Alumni Volunteer Spotlight: Arthur Antoine, PhdCivEngr'17 Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/10/2022 - 14:18

Arthur Antoine (PhdCivEngr’17) is a proud Buff and an outstanding College of Engineering and Applied Science volunteer. Since graduating from CU Boulder, Antoine has established a successful career at Shrewsberry & Associates, an engineering consulting firm, as a senior project manager.

As a CU Engineering Front Range Regional Network Ambassador, Antoine serves as a dedicated volunteer. He also contributes to the engineering community, serving as an active member and leader on numerous professional societies. We had the opportunity to sit down with Antoine to learn about his experience at CU Boulder and why he remains involved with his alma mater.

What are your fondest memories of CU Engineering?

My fondest memories of the college, and in particular of our Construction Engineering & Management (CEM) group, are of our research group meetings and regular camaraderie among grad student colleagues in our shared offices.

It was a welcoming experience to join the CEM group and the culture of supporting new grad students was genuinely maintained. Also, it was a pleasant surprise that the CEM group attracted US-based and international academics, contributing to a diverse mix of cultures while I was there.

You have served in executive roles with local trade associations such as vice president of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Denver Professionals chapter, and secretary for the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Colorado. Can you talk about why you choose to pursue leadership positions with each of the organizations and what they mean to you?

Fresh out of grad school in fall 2017, the first local trade association I got involved in was COMTO Colorado. The experience served as a great way to get familiar with the local Denver-Metro Engineering/Construction professional community.

It was a pleasure to serve as Secretary for a term. Currently, I serve as the Chair of COMTO Colorado’s Scholarship Committee, in which we aim to award up to 10 scholarships annually to students interested in pursuing college studies in a transportation-related field.

With the NSBE Denver Professionals chapter, I served as Vice President for one term and currently serve as the Corporate Sponsorship Liaison responsible for fundraising and fostering partnerships with corporate entities that wish to support our NSBE Mission, i.e. "to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community."

In summary, I chose those organizations and welcomed the leadership positions as a way to get involved and support the local community while contributing to my professional development.

Since graduating from CU Boulder, you have maintained a close connection with the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering. Can you talk about your experience as a student and the impact it had on you?

In my quest seeking a Construction Engineering & Management (CEM) PhD, I applied to multiple schools and CU Boulder’s CEM professors had the best personal approach to my interest in their program.

Beyond acceptance/entry, the program turned out to be more than I could have asked for – it was a comprehensive academic experience in my field of study. CU’s support of academic pursuits, financial and otherwise, was especially impactful on my experience.

With CU’s support, I got to attend and present my research at several significant industry and academic conferences. Additionally, through my advisor’s involvement in industry, I got to network and meet professionals who helped my research efforts and remain as professional contacts. Ultimately, I graduated feeling that the CEM program at CU Boulder surpassed my expectations.

Why did you choose to become a Regional Network Ambassador for the Front Range? Have there been any highlights to your role as an RNA since joining the program?

After graduating, I felt indebted to the institution as my alma mater and obligated to support the efforts of recruiting and retaining diverse students.

In this regard, I accepted the role of an RNA. The highlight for me is the random new connections made with prospective students and sharing knowledge about CU Boulder to aid them in deciding whether or not they pursue studies here.

What would you say to encourage alumni who are considering volunteering with their alma mater?

Ultimately, it’s a personal decision based on experiences and circumstances. Nonetheless, to anyone considering it I would say, think of your own achievement (BSc/MS/PhD or otherwise). Undoubtedly someone helped you along the way at some point, so consider being that person to help someone else on their academic journey.

Want to get involved as an alumni volunteer? Fill out our volunteer interest form or update your contact information to be notified of future CU Engineering alumni events.

Arthur Antoine (PhdCivEngr’17), senior project manager with Shrewsberry & Associates, stays involved as a CU Engineering Front Range Regional Network Ambassador.

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Alumna on a mission to break barriers and make new connections

Anonymous — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Alumna on a mission to break barriers and make new connections Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/01/2022 - 00:00

Elsiana Kaelika Cruz

Rupa Dachere (CompSci’94) recognizes the challenges women software developers still encounter in the workforce.

“Nobody is going to coddle you, so you learn to perform, handle difficult personalities and play chess in order to make a difference and grow at work," she said.

Dachere is the CEO and president of Thrive-WiSE (formerly known as CodeChix) a nonprofit that offers mentorship, technical training programs and hosts networking events for female developers and engineers.

Dachere recently moved back to Colorado to take care of her elderly parents, but still travels to and from the Bay Area to continue her mission to help women achieve success in their careers. She is also looking to expand her network of women in science and engineering in Boulder.

Thrive-WiSE supports women in business, specifically women engineers in technical industries, from graduates entering industry to women returning to industry and looking to climb the technical ladder.

"Engineers are driven by an internal fire to create and build unique solutions to old and new problems, regardless of industry. Problem analysis and solutioning is in our DNA," said Dachere.

Since 2015, Thrive-WiSE has hosted many conferences to aid women in industry and create a safe space for women. They feature high-level technical conversations and provide workshops to enhance their skills.

For those conferences, Dachere spends hours selecting the topics, finding speakers, developing the programs, and connecting with sponsors.

"I dislike wearing heels and dressing up (one of the reasons I chose engineering), but there are times when it is critical to do just that,” she said. “Breaking strict rules for the right reasons is also a little bit of the rebellious part of good engineering traits."

How to get involved

In late March, Thrive-Wise hosted its March 2022 Micro-Conference, a two-day event featuring a series of technical and cultural conferences for women engineers, project managers, and tech leaders. The primary focus was the promotion and mentorship of women engineers and students.

Thrive-WiSE holds monthly Campfire Conversations with open and inclusive conversations on various topics relevant to career and work-life integration! Register for the next Campfire Conversations on April 20 at 12 p.m. Join their slack workspace to get the latest information. Follow them on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Rupa Dachere (CompSci’94) recognizes the challenges women software developers still encounter in the workforce. She recently moved back to Colorado and is also looking to expand her network of women in science and engineering in Boulder.

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Alumni Volunteer Spotlight: Vishvesh Singh, MElEngr’17

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 23:12:44 +0000

Alumni Volunteer Spotlight: Vishvesh Singh, MElEngr’17 Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 02/17/2022 - 16:12

Vishvesh Singh (MElEngr’17) is a Senior Firmware developer at Solidigm technology and a proud alumnus of the Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering department. Singh is based in Longmont, Colorado, and has been a dedicated volunteer to the College of Engineering and Applied Science for the past three years. He often provides career and industry insight with students, and he has served on several panels sharing his experiences with both students and alumni. We recently sat down with Singh to learn more about his career path and why he has remained committed to the college as an alumni volunteer.

Tell us a bit about your path to becoming an engineer. How did you decide that electrical engineering was something you wanted to pursue?

As a kid growing up in India, I was always curious about and fascinated by the machines around me, ranging from television sets to cars. Giving electricity to a box magically resulted in my favorite cartoon show playing on the screen. My parents and teachers noticed my curiosity and interest in electronics, so I was encouraged to pursue electrical engineering in university.

Following their advice, I enrolled in a bachelor’s in electronics and communication engineering. My classes were primarily focused on theoretical concepts, so with a desire to learn more practical knowledge, I spent my summers doing internships related to embedded systems to gain hands-on experience on cutting-edge technologies. In my last semester, I got a chance to do an extensive long-term project at the Indian Space Research Organisation. There, I got a chance to work in a team with talented engineers, who inspired me to learn about and explore the field even more.

What made you decide to come to CU for your master’s, and what was your experience like as a student?

Based on my internships, I decided to pursue a master's in electrical engineering with a focus on embedded systems, so my quest to find a suitable school began. However, this was a difficult task, as embedded systems is a relatively niche area, and not many schools offer a wide variety of courses on the topic. Then I discovered the University of Colorado Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Science program, which offered over 10 courses in the field of embedded systems at the time. I knew that the CU Boulder’s courses, infrastructure, and global reputation would help me achieve my ambitions.

I still remember when I received the acceptance letter from CU Boulder by Adam Sadoff, and how he took the effort of writing “Congratulations!” in my native language. Adam’s gesture was one of the many examples of CU’s welcoming culture. I took a variety of courses like Dr. Linden McClure's Embedded Systems Design and Keith Graham's IoT Embedded Firmware and Storage Systems, along with other courses in the program. In addition to teaching these classes, the professors not only acted as academic advisors but also provided career counseling. Learning from these courses and interacting with professors definitely improved my skills as an embedded systems engineer.

Outside of coursework, I was able to explore the variety of extracurricular activities that CU Boulder has to offer. One of them was the Ritmos Latinos club, where CU’s affiliate faculty taught different Cuban dance forms. The club welcomes students from all backgrounds to come together and learn about Cuban dance culture. I also got a chance to volunteer for Coursera’s annual conference, where I was able to meet Andrew Ng, a prominent computer scientist in the field of machine learning and AI.

Why has it been important for you to volunteer your time and give back to the College of Engineering and Applied Science since graduating?

I felt very fortunate when I got a chance to pursue a master's at CU Boulder, followed by working in the storage industry in the local area. My professors and peers played a vital role in each stage of my program and career, so it would be safe to say that I wouldn't have the opportunities and experience I had without them. Reflecting on my time at CU Boulder, I felt I needed to give back to the community that had given so much to me, so I decided to volunteer to help current students to find their academic passions and career aspirations. As a result, I contacted the College of Engineering & Applied Science’s Alumni Engagement team, which organizes many events throughout the year. Through these events, such as career panels and resume reviews, I’m able to interact with and mentor students.

What are the highlights of serving as an alumni volunteer? Do you see yourself continuing to donate your time to CU?

As an alumni volunteer, the College of Engineering & Applied Science’s alumni engagement team helps find the right events for me to attend, especially Cameron Deverel-Rico and Erin Judge. Due to my work schedule, it’s sometimes hard for me to take time outside of regular working hours, so I typically attend evening events. Since many other alumni are likely in the same situation, the alumni engagement team takes that into consideration and schedules many evening events.

I was able to attend events in person before the pandemic, but during the pandemic, the team was able to transition to virtual events and keep the tradition going. Before the pandemic, I was part of a panel where we talked about the hiring processes at different companies and answered students’ questions about recruiting. Through this event, we were able to debunk some myths about hiring among the students and generate more awareness about the different engineering major jobs in companies. I have also hosted one-on-ones with students to discuss a variety of topics including the transition from school to professional life, sharing experiences in the industry, doing mock interviews with students who are looking for jobs, talking about multiple initiatives taken by companies for employee growth like Diverse Employee Resource Groups, and answered many other related questions. I look forward to having more in-person events in the future and continuing to give back to the community.

What would you say to encourage alumni who are considering whether to volunteer with their alma mater?

Based on my experience, I would highly encourage alumni to volunteer at CU Boulder. I do relate to other alumni not being sure about where to start as an alumni volunteer, so I would highly suggest reaching out to the alumni engagement team to discuss which events might work best for you. Speaking from my personal experience, I had many questions about these events, so I reached out to the team, and I met Erin in person to talk about how my experiences as an international student in the U.S. and finding my way through the process to get the right job, could be the subject matter that I think current students would be able to relate. In that meeting, I learned more about their vision, and they helped me consider which types of events would play to my strengths.

I am a huge advocate of volunteering events, and you will definitely feel they’re a good use of your time when you participate and network in these events. For alumni in industry, you might also be able to hire great talent for your organization because these events offer more personal and longer interactions than a typical job fair. These events are also a great way to advertise and generate excitement about your company by sharing the different projects and technologies you’re working on. There is also a wide variety of events that are hosted by the team, from panel discussions or just interacting one-on-one with students or in group settings. You will have the flexibility of picking the events that you will feel more comfortable with.

This is a great way to remain connected with CU and also get a chance to witness some of the new changes that are happening on the campus, and also be able to influence some of those, overall to make it a better experience for the students.

Want to get involved as an alumni volunteer? Fill out our volunteer interest form or update your contact information to be notified of future CU Engineering alumni events.

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Alumni Volunteer Spotlight: Rachel Klein, ApMath’07

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 19:04:43 +0000

Alumni Volunteer Spotlight: Rachel Klein, ApMath’07 Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 11/16/2021 - 12:04

Rachel Klein (ApMath’07) has been a dedicated volunteer to the College of Engineering and Applied Science for over two years. She received her degree from a relatively small program – Applied Mathematics – and has provided countless alumni and students with a unique and inspiring perspective on what it means to be an Engineering Buff.

Shortly after receiving her degree from CU, Klein took a role in investment banking before pivoting her career into health care. After receiving an MBA from Harvard University, she landed a job with Kaiser Permanente.

We recently sat down with Klein to learn more about her career path and what motivates her to volunteer for the college.

You received your degree in applied math and have had a bit of a non-traditional engineering career path. Can you tell us about how you decided on this degree and why it was the right choice for you? Did you explore other majors before picking applied math?

I landed on applied math for a few reasons:

I wanted to major within the College of Engineering and Applied Science because I’m a tactile learner and was interested in a major that focused on hands-on, real-world problem solving
I enjoy mathematics because it’s a tool to understand and explore how things work – from dynamics within a biologic system to fractal formations within clouds. Math has always been a passion of mine
Most importantly, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to major in. After speaking with Professor Anne Dougherty, I realized applied math was a great choice for me because it encourages one to explore. Of course, you dive deep on math, but then you need to pick a focus for your applied math degree. I took a variety of courses my freshman year and ultimately decided to focus on finance and economics. I chose this focus because I found the application of mathematics to understand how people use resources and respond to incentives to be very engaging.

Through my major, I learned formulas and models that had me exploring things like the stock prices, inflation, global trade, etc. Directly following graduation, I landed in investment banking, where I had a front row seat to the Great Recession of 2008. It was eye opening to see how, despite all the complex models and artful predictions, a financial system as complex as ours can still surprise even the most seasoned players in the industry.

It was also a wake-up call to me – was finance my direct calling, or were there other industries that would better suit my interests and personal mission? Ultimately, I pivoted from investment banking to health economics – applying my math skills to support biotechnology companies with novel, life-saving therapies in reimbursement conversations with governments and insurance companies around the globe.

You have also received your MBA on top of your BS from CU. Can you talk a bit more about your current job and how you use both degrees to be successful in your role?

In my current role at Kaiser Permanente, I’m responsible for strategies and operational performance for the Medicare line of business here in Colorado. The way health care is paid for in the United States is undergoing a dramatic shift: we are moving away from fee-for-service, where doctors and other health care providers are paid for each service performed, to value-based care, where providers are paid based on patient health outcomes.

The skills and experiences garnered from my BS and MBA play very well together. Within Medicare, we are building and refining a system of incentives that encourages people to live healthier lives in an evidence-based way. I rely on the skills I honed while at CU – reasoning, logic, and data questioning and manipulation. My MBA emphasized big-picture strategy skills, as well as leadership and team management. In a large, multi-disciplinary organization with doctors, nurses, sales leaders, operational gurus, IT programmers, actuaries, and the like, the ability to synthesize and understand the big picture, work across departments to get everyone on the same page, outline a roadmap, and then inspire people to move forward together is crucial. (Speaking of actuaries, I receive major kudos for being able to sit side-by-side with them and understand all the technical nuances and model mechanics, I credit this fully to my BS.)

It’s my experience, that in health care, the nitty-gritty details found within the data and the big picture strategy and implementation of that strategy are critical to get right. The marriage of detail-oriented data interpretation skills with big picture visioning serves me well.

Why has it been important for you to volunteer your time and give back to the College of Engineering and Applied Science since graduating?

First and foremost, because I enjoy it. It’s great to connect with current students, hear their questions and concerns, and share my experiences and some of the guidance I’ve received throughout my career. I fondly remember a few key people who I encountered during my undergrad and masters studies who took the time to talk about life post-graduation and the path they took to get to where they were. In particular, one alumnus, after recounting their career trajectory, paused to quote Steve Jobs: “You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” I always like to pass on this wisdom to others, that we don’t know how things will unfold, what opportunities or setbacks may come our way, but that things will work out – and that the dots will connect.

Do you have any highlights from your time serving as an alumni volunteer?

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to speak on a panel with two other alumnae for the Society of Women in Engineering. It was a fairly intimate group with a broad range of career goals and interests. Hearing both the students and my fellow alumnae speak to their experiences and where they were going was really energizing. We hit on everything from course selection, internship strategies, post-graduation whether to go straight to grad school or work for bit, and how to think about and prioritize job opportunities and grad school applications. Even though the event was intended for current students, the conversation also inspired me, giving me the space and time to step back and reflect on where I am and where I am going. It’s important to give yourself space to reflect on where you are going throughout your life.

What would say to encourage engineering and applied science alumni who are considering whether to volunteer with their alma mater?

If it’s important to you, it’s worth making it a priority and carving out the time. Life gets busy. And then when you think life might level off, it gets busier. That said, making the time to reconnect to your alma mater and fostering relationships with current students, faculty, and staff is a great way to stay connected with those organizations that helped form who you are today.

Want to get involved as an alumni volunteer? Fill out our volunteer interest form or update your contact information to be notified of future CU Engineering alumni events. You can also donate to the College of Engineering and Applied Science, department, or program of your choice online.

Rachel Klein (ApMath’07) has been a dedicated volunteer to the College of Engineering and Applied Science for over two years. She received her degree from Applied Mathematics and has provided countless alumni and students with a unique and inspiring perspective on what it means to be an Engineering Buff.

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Alumnus Lim earns C&EN Talented 12 recognition for pursuing commercialization of CO2 as a feedstock for commodity chemicals

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 19:19:41 +0000

Alumnus Lim earns C&EN Talented 12 recognition for pursuing commercialization of CO2 as a feedstock for commodity chemicals Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/06/2021 - 13:19

Jonathan Raab

Chern-Hooi Lim (PhDChemEngr’15) is the founder and CEO of New Iridium, a spinoff company created by research conducted in part in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. He was recently selected for C&EN’s Talented 12, a program that honors young chemists and chemical engineers who are bringing innovation and entrepreneurship to bear on pressing global issues.

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Outstanding Mentor Award 2021: Sam Goodman

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 15:02:55 +0000

Outstanding Mentor Award 2021: Sam Goodman Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 09/27/2021 - 09:02

Jonathan Raab

Sam Goodman (ChemEngr’16) was selected as one of two Outstanding Mentor Award winners for the Spring 2021 semester for his work with sophomore Abigail Hutabarat.

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