C A R N E G I E ME L L O N D E PA RTME N T O F ME C H A N I C A L E N G I N E E R I N G
Glenn Research Center,where he will investigate the effects of lunar dust by developing a numerical model that simulates its transportation behaviors and potential negative effects. “It is a tremendous honor to be awarded such a competitive
and prestigious fellowship,”Mpagazehe says. Mpagazehe’s prior research atMechE’s Particle Flow and
Tribology Lab will be beneficial as he begins this endeavor. In his previous research,Mpagazehe focused on modeling a nanoscale fabrication technique called chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). During CMP,nanoscale abrasive particles are used to wear away excess material; these abrasives have characteristics that are similar to those of lunar dust. Mpagazehe will also travel to NASA’s Glenn Research Center
to work with experts in lunar dust and conduct experiments with the lunar dust stimulants housed there. “My goal is to combine NASA experience with our lab’s
modeling and experimental capabilities to develop the computa- tional framework to model lunar dust,”Mpagazehe explains. After completing his
Ph.D.degree,Mpagazehe wants to continue
his research in tribological phenomena in an academic setting. In the meantime,he’s thrilled to do research in a field he’s been interested in since childhood. “Being able to say that I made any contribution to humans’
return to the moon or future exploration toMars is amazing,” Mpagazehe says.
MechE senior/Accelerated Graduate Program student Eric Blood also had the chance to work with NASA researchers during his summer internship at Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards,
California.The internship was part of the NASAAeronautics Scholars Program, a fellowship sponsored by theAmerican Society of Engineering Education. In 2008,Blood became the firstMechE student to receive this
fellowship,which included two years of tuition assistance and a summer internship at a flight center of the student’s choice. “I knew I wanted to go to NASA Dryden because they had real
flight testing,”Blood says.“You name the aircraft; it was tested at Dryden.” Once accepted at Dryden,Blood drove 3,000 miles to begin his
work at the research controls branch,working on one of NASA’s Aeronautics ResearchMission Directorate projects.With his team, Blood helped design and implement tests to verify or discredit previous flight tests.He also built a computer database of maneuvers for the Boeing’s X-48B aircraft. “We were experimentally determining the mass moments of
inertia of the flying aircraft,”Blood says. Since returning to CarnegieMellon,Blood has inspired other students to apply for the NASAAeronautics Scholars Program.
Eric Blood Blood will graduate inMay 2010 with a B.S. andM.S. in
Mechanical
Engineering.Although he has several ideas for his future,his experience at NASA confirmed his goals of working with aircraft and reinforced his long-standing interest in aeronautical and aerospace engineering. “This internship taught me to just keep on going,”Blood says.•
Embark on your own success story!
These experts can help find ways to individualize and expand your CarnegieMellon experience through study abroad, internships,or career development:
• Christine Menand is the Coordinator for Study Abroad & Exchange Programs for CIT. StudyAbroad is a part of the Office of International Education.E-mail Menand at
cmenand@andrew.cmu.edu to learn more about how study abroad can fit in your curriculum.
• Lisa Dickter,Assistant Director of the Career & Professional Development Center, is also the CIT Career Consultant. Check out the CIT Career page at
www.cmu.edu/career/cit or contact Dickter directly at
dickter@andrew.cmu.edu for information on internships and careers.
To contribute toMechE opportunities and initiatives,please use the enclosed envelope.
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