Mechanical Engineering Department

Mechanical Engineering News - July 2009

►Jairus Bernard, a ME graduate student and CAVS Graduate Research Assistant for the Computational Manufacturing and Design Group, is the recipient of a NASA/Mississippi Space Grant Consortium Fellowship (MSSGC) for the 2009-2010 school year.The MSSGC recipients are expected to have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Eligibility is limited to students pursuing advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. NASA MSSGC Grant Fellows will be required to be a resource person to one or more teachers in one of their graduate institution’s neighboring K-12 schools for ten hours per week. The MSSGC Fellowship award is $17,000, split evenly between both fall and spring semesters. For more information on the MSSGC Fellowship, please visit the Mississippi NASA Grant Consortium website.
Jairus Bernard is a transfer student from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College- Jackson County campus, as well as a recent graduate from Mississippi State University. He received his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in the same discipline.

►Wesley Trim, a ME graduate student and CAVS Graduate Research Assistant for the Computational Manufacturing and Design Group, is the recipient of the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) scholarship. The SMART Scholarship for Service Program has been established by the Department of Defense (DoD) to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The program aims to increase the number of civilian scientists and engineers working at DoD laboratories. The scholarship includes full tuition and education related fees, cash award paid at a rate of $25,000 - $41,000 depending on prior educational experience, paid summer internships, health Insurance reimbursement allowance up to $1,200 per calendar year, book allowance of $1,000 per academic year, mentoring and employment placement after graduation. For more information on the SMART Scholarship, please visit the SMART Scholarship website.
Mr. Trim received his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University in May 2006. He currently is a Ph.D. Degree Candidate in Mechanical Engineering. He is also part of the Computational Manufacturing and Design group at CAVS. His dissertation topic focuses on biomimetic materials and design.

►Ratessiea Lett, a ME graduate student,was chosen to be one of NASA’s first Student Ambassadors after being nominated by the Mississippi Space Grant Consortium. She was considered for this opportunity as she has completed four internships at NASA Stennis Space Center. The Student Ambassadors Virtual Community is designed to foster greater interaction and mentorship among interns of NASA higher education projects, thereby increasing student retention through the NASA educational pipeline and into the STEM workforce. Through a virtual interactive web-based community, student ambassadors will interact with current interns and NASA staff to discuss issues of mutual interest and seek advice in overcoming obstacles. They will be asked to lead and facilitate discussions on current events and research programs via instant messenger, message boards, and real-time polls. In addition to the benefits of networking, Student Ambassadors will have opportunity to participate in NASA events, and be apprised of employment opportunities and educational experiences.

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