On October 6-7, 2023, the NC State University Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) hosted its inaugural Frontiers of MSE Undergraduate Symposium (FMUS). The event was held in person on NC State’s Centennial Campus and featured a poster presentation by the visiting researchers in the James B. Hunt Jr. Library.
At the event, 12 students from colleges across the United States presented their research and creative work in poster and oral presentations. The symposium attendees included faculty members, post-doctorates, current graduate students, and distinguished guests. The department presented awards to the participants to recognize those who have demonstrated excellence in undergraduate research.
Each participant was able to choose tours of MSE laboratories based on their pursuits, in addition to private tours of NC State’s Analytical Instrumentation Facility (AIF) and the Center of Additive Manufacturing and Logistics (CAMAL). Here they saw our engineers and scientists firsthand at work and learned of how they can hone their talents as future researchers at NC State University.
To round off the two-day experience, visiting participants spent quality time with four Graduate Ambassadors and a group of graduate students away from campus exploring Raleigh.
“We were honored to demonstrate to each visiting researcher how and where they can contribute and thrive as a part of MSE at NC State. The support that a student will receive here is unmatched. It cannot be adequately relayed in a brochure or website”, as explained by Juliette Wakefield, logistical coordinator for MSE’s FMUS. She further stated, “The learning is reciprocal. By meeting our MSE faculty members and current peer researchers in person, we can witness and express our confidence in their unique skill sets and growth. We are very encouraged by participant feedback and are enthusiastically planning our next FMUS!”
“Wow! The NC State Frontiers of MSE Undergraduate Symposium was an incredible opportunity,” shared Texas A&M undergraduate and FMUS participant Jakob Nielsen. “Getting to meet so many other materials scientists from across the country was not something I get to do every day, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I just want to thank NC State Materials Science and Engineering, Profs Veronica Augustyn and Douglas Irving for making this happen, and thanks to all the other finalists for making it an awesome time.”
Stay tuned to our website to learn more about the next Frontiers of MSE Undergraduate Symposium, and see more pictures of this year’s projects and participants.