Akshay Anand, a mechanical engineering doctoral candidate at the joint college, recently earned an award for “Most Persuasive Op-Ed” at a competition on science writing sponsored by Florida State University. (Scott Holstein/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)
In a notable demonstration of technical communication excellence, Florida State University recently hosted its inaugural Graduate Student Op-Ed Competition. Two mechanical engineering doctoral students from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering distinguished themselves among 36 participants.
Unmasking Individual Needs
Akshay Anand earned the “Most Persuasive Op-Ed” award for his insightful analysis, “The Mask Fit Paradox: How Facial Diversity Affects Respiratory Health.”
Addressing a significant public health challenge, Anand examined the relationship between mask effectiveness and individual facial characteristics. His work challenges the conventional standardized approach to mask design, demonstrating how personalized fit solutions can substantially improve respiratory protection—an insight particularly relevant in today’s health-conscious environment.
“I am deeply grateful to receive this award and humbled by the recognition and exceptional academic and research environment at FSU,” Anand said. “Thanks to my advisor, Professor Kourosh Shoele, and the support from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering community, I have evolved as a researcher and communicator, bridging the gap between complex engineering concepts and public understanding.”
As he looks toward the future, Anand plans to pursue opportunities in academia and industry. He aims to inspire the next generation of engineers while developing innovative solutions for complex challenges.
Fueling Fire Knowledge
Ritambhara “Rita” Dubey received the award for “Best Explanation of a Complicated Subject” with her accessible essay, “A New Era for Prescribed Burns: Harnessing Predictive Tools for Better Fire Management.”
Dubey’s work effectively translates the complex relationship between fuel moisture, local weather and fire behavior, explaining how these factors change throughout the day and influence fire dynamics—a topic of particular importance in Florida’s ecosystem management.
“We have developed a physics-based model that accurately predicts these fuel moisture variations and their effects on fire,” Dubey explains passionately. Her innovative tool allows fire managers to forecast fire behavior more precisely, even as conditions change rapidly—ultimately enhancing the safety and effectiveness of prescribed burn planning.
Reflecting on the competition, Dubey said, “It encouraged me to make environmental research more accessible and meaningful to a broader audience through impactful writing. I want communities to realize how traditional practices like prescribed burns can be enhanced with scientific tools, ensuring they are executed safely and effectively for healthier ecosystems.”
Incentivizing Better Research Communication
The competition also recognized other outstanding graduate students across various categories, including Best Organized, Best Use of Evidence and Best Call to Action, highlighting the diverse scholarly talent within the university community.
Funded by the Congress of Graduate Students (COGS), this competition challenged participants to communicate the significance of their research in ways that resonate with the public—an increasingly valuable skill in today’s information-rich world where bridging the gap between specialized knowledge and public understanding is essential.
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