Spectrum - Volume 18 Issue 07 October 5, 1995 - NSF grad students select Tech

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NSF grad students select Tech

By Susan Trulove

Spectrum Volume 18 Issue 07 - October 5, 1995

Four recipients of National Science Foundation Fellowships have elected to do their graduate studies at Virginia Tech.

Daniel Hammerand is a doctoral student in aerospace engineering, Monique Jackson is a doctoral candidate in chemical engineering, Joseph Reiss is a doctoral student in computer science, and Matthew Welborn is a master's candidate in electrical engineering.

"These students can go anywhere," said Martha Johnson, assistant dean of the Graduate School. "It is a mark of quality when they chose Virginia Tech-a stamp of academic approval on a national scale."

Hammerand earned his undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering from Virginia Tech in 1994. He is interested in structures and is doing his research on viscoelastic structures-specifically, inflated fabric structures used to cover equipment in the field. He is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Golden Key Society, Sigma Gamma Tau aerospace honor society, and, in addition to these professional and scholastic organizations, is a delegate to the Graduate Student Assembly.

Jackson is enrolled in chemical engineering because it is challenging. "I've always been interested in math and science," she said. She received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech in chemical engineering this spring. Her goal is to work in industry, and then return to a university to teach.

Reiss, who earned his bachelor of science in computer science from Ohio State in 1994, says he's been interested in computers since grade school. "My father is a programmer." Reiss' research concerns human-computer interaction, such as developing computer programs that are "user-friendly."

Welborn was a submarine officer for five years after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor's degree in systems engineering in 1989. He's been a master's student at Virginia Tech since 1994. He became interested and experienced in digital signal processing during his navy duties. At Virginia Tech, he is working with the Mobile and Portable Radio Group and doing research on digital signal processing related to wireless communication. Welborn's goal is to continue to earn a Ph.D.

The NSF Fellowship is awarded for three years.