Research Stars Light the Path - College of Engineering - University ...
Research Stars Light the Path - College of Engineering - University ...
Research Stars Light the Path - College of Engineering - University ...
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Morgansen’s team, a mix <strong>of</strong> about 15 graduateand undergrad students, was a perfect fit for Zhang, aGarfield High School graduate who won direct freshmanadmission to <strong>the</strong> EE and CSE programs. “As a kidI watched The Jetsons, and liked Rosie <strong>the</strong> householdrobot, but thought I could invent a better one. That’swhat got me interested in engineering,” Zhang recalled.During her first summer in <strong>the</strong> lab she developed ama<strong>the</strong>matical model <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> motion <strong>of</strong> real fish by usingdata on spine segment positions and mapping <strong>the</strong>m to<strong>the</strong> rob<strong>of</strong>ish. Her work earned her third authorship ona paper presented at an international symposium. Shelater helped develop new hardware and s<strong>of</strong>tware thatenable <strong>the</strong> rob<strong>of</strong>ish to communicate and swim toge<strong>the</strong>r.Working on a multidisciplinary team under intensedeadlines and knowing when to seek help when stumpedby a problem aided her transition to <strong>the</strong> larger universe<strong>of</strong> Boeing. “If you ask a question too early, o<strong>the</strong>rs thinkyou haven’t workedhard enough to solve <strong>the</strong>problem. If you ask toolate, <strong>the</strong>y think you arejust banging your head,”Zhang said.Zhang gained valuableleadership experiencewhen Morgansen assignedher to coordinate <strong>the</strong>work <strong>of</strong> younger undergraduatesin <strong>the</strong> lab.Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>. Kristi Morgansen andJennifer Zhang check out a rob<strong>of</strong>ish.“Jennifer is a natural atit,” Morgansen said. “Thisis a hardcore experimentallab and it would stop functioning if we didn’t haveundergraduates doing <strong>the</strong>oretical work, buildingcomponents, and running experiments.”Morgansen intends to develop advanced rob<strong>of</strong>ishable to work in lakes and <strong>the</strong> ocean. “They could be usedfor tasks that are dirty, dull, or dangerous. Schools <strong>of</strong>rob<strong>of</strong>ish might monitor pollution or undersea volcanoesand track marine life or even submarines,” Morgansensaid. Media from Seattle to Singapore have reported herwork, and both U.S. and Canadian Discovery Channelprograms have shot film for upcoming documentaries.“Kristi has been a great mentor and role model,”said Zhang, who wants to do research and developmentin industry, most likely in controls and robotics. In fall2009 she returns to <strong>the</strong> UW to earn a masters in EE.“Both CSE and EE are such diverse fields with applicationsthat can help make people’s lives better. That’s abig reason I’ve chosen to be an engineer,” Zhang said.• To learn more: http://www.aa.washington.edu/faculty/morgansen/Leaders • Innovators • MentorsMary Lidstrom, UW Vice Provost for <strong>Research</strong>,Frank Jungers Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Chemical <strong>Engineering</strong>,and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Microbiology“A strong undergraduate research program, withits rich learning experience, sets a major researchuniversity apart from o<strong>the</strong>r academic institutions.Students say <strong>the</strong>y learn ten times as much at <strong>the</strong>bench as in <strong>the</strong> classroom. Undergraduates whoget into <strong>the</strong> lab and work with research teamsbegin to viualize <strong>the</strong>mselves as scientists andengineers. This experience is especially importantfor inspiring young women to go on to graduateschool and to pursue research careers.”Eve Riskin, Associate Dean <strong>of</strong> <strong>Engineering</strong>,Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Electrical <strong>Engineering</strong>, and Director<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADVANCE Center for Institutional Change“We have a great story to tell at UW <strong>Engineering</strong>as about 18% <strong>of</strong> our faculty are women, exceeding<strong>the</strong> national average <strong>of</strong> 11–12%. We wantthis percentage to increase. Receiving a NationalScience Foundation ADVANCE Center grant in2001 enabled us to make rapid strides by developingprograms that provide a supportive environment.Our women faculty are highly productiveand account for a disproportionately large share<strong>of</strong> research expenditures — and <strong>the</strong>y encouragemore women students to become engineers.”Mari Ostendorf, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Electrical <strong>Engineering</strong>,2008 CoE Faculty Innovator for <strong>Research</strong>, and Advisorto Society <strong>of</strong> Women Engineers UW Student Chapter“Early in my career I was <strong>the</strong> only woman withtenure on <strong>the</strong> EE faculty at Boston <strong>University</strong>.Until I came to <strong>the</strong> UW I didn’t appreciate howimportant it is to have more than a few tokenwomen. It makes a huge difference in creating anenvironment that enables us to do our best workin research and teaching. Many women studentswant to go into a field with clear social impact.We need to tell <strong>the</strong>m how <strong>the</strong> innovative work <strong>of</strong>so many <strong>of</strong> our faculty directly benefits people.”Suzie Pun, Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Bioengineering,2008 CoE Junior Faculty Innovator for <strong>Research</strong>,2008 UW Undergraduate <strong>Research</strong> Mentor Award“Dr. Suzie Pun has an amazing understanding <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> an undergraduate researcher. If youneed to talk to her, she will make <strong>the</strong> time. Thismakes me feel like I am part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lab and notjust passing through. Dr. Pun is an outstandingmentor for encouraging <strong>the</strong> growth and cultivating<strong>the</strong> talents <strong>of</strong> her undergraduate students and<strong>the</strong>reby upholding <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Washington’sreputation as an excellent research institution.”Kathy Wei, Senior, BioengineeringTREND • Vol 58:2 • Autumn 2008 7