The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering news for graduate students
Nominate a Grad Student for Engineering Graduate Student Appreciation Week
March 18 is the deadline to nominate a graduate student.
By nominating a student, you agree to us using your submission in social media and other marketing content
Strozier Library: Digital Research Incubator Invitation
You are invited to the Digital Research Incubator Luncheon on March 12, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM in the Bradley Reading Room in Strozier Library.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Incubator, a 16-week program (8 weeks in Fall, 8 in Spring) that teaches faculty and graduate students the computational skills necessary to solve research questions within their specific disciplines. During the luncheon, seven of our current faculty and graduate participants will present their work. While our current cohort includes researchers from Arts and Sciences and Anne’s College, the Incubator is open to all disciplines.
Participants in the program receive $1,250 in research funding, generously provided by the Dean of the Libraries. We’d love for you to see firsthand how the program supports interdisciplinary work and helps faculty and graduate students bridge the gap between traditional methods and modern data science.
Applications for our next cycle will open in August 2026. Please feel free to forward this invitation to whoever you think would be interested.
Please RSVP here so we can save a spot for you.
The First North Florida Wildfire and Technology Workshop
As wildfires grow more complex with climate variability, shifting land use, and expanding Wildland–Urban Interface, the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration has never been greater. This workshop brings together AI researchers, wildfire scientists, emergency managers, and local stakeholders to tackle these challenges head-on.
Friday, March 13, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET
IGNITE Building, 1729 W. Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310
Lunch provided
Register here. Workshop website.
We're thrilled to feature an outstanding lineup of speakers:
- Dr. Ilkay Altintas – Chief Data Science Officer, San Diego Supercomputer Center
- Dr. Neda Yaghoobian – Associate Professor, Florida State University
- Dr. Xilei Zhao – Associate Professor, University of Florida
- Dr. Morgan Varner – Director of Research, Tall Timbers Research Station
- Dr. Neetesh Sharma – Assistant Professor, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
- Ms. Divina Lade – Director of Geospatial & Resilience Planning, ARPC
The day features invited talks, a discussion panel with fire chiefs and regional planners, a networking lunch, and community dialogue — all centered on four core themes: AI-driven prediction & modeling, wildfire data pipelines, scalable infrastructure for real-time response, and translating research into actionable decision-making.
Whether you work in AI, remote sensing, fire science, or emergency management — this is a space to connect, learn, and shape the future of wildfire resilience in our region.
Yushun Dong LinkedIn event post here.
Co-hosted by FSU Department of Computer Science, RIDER Center, and FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.
FSU: Free Academic and Professional Workshops Offered Before Spring Break
Introduction to Citation Management Using EndNote
When: Thursday, March 5 (10:30-11:45am)
Where: Zoom (A Zoom URL will be sent to your email after registration.)
Audience Focus: Graduate Students and Doctoral Candidates
Description:
EndNote is a powerful citation management tool that allows you to manage bibliographies and references when writing essays, articles, books, and reports. EndNote can be used alongside word processing software such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs, allowing you to cite your sources while you are writing. The software allows you to automatically format citations into any of over 2000 citation styles. This workshop will explore how to navigate the EndNote interface, import references and create libraries, and use the Cite-While-You-Write tool to cite your references directly in a document.
AI Policies in Academic Publishing
When: Monday, March 9 (1-2pm)
Where: Strozier 5A
Audience Focus: everyone
Description: In response to the use of Generative AI by authors and reviewers, many publishers have instituted AI policies that outline acceptable uses of this technology. Many of these policies extend to the very early stages of the research process, and it is critical that you have a clear understanding of what the specifics of these policies are. In this workshop, you will be introduced to some common features of publisher AI policies and have the chance to investigate the specific AI policies of journals, books, and conferences you have targeted for publication. This interactive workshop will include a chance to talk with other attendees about AI policies they discovered to help broaden your sense of what AI policies you may encounter.
Data at Your Desk Series: Data Analysis with Stata
When: Tuesday, March 10 (3-4pm_
Where: Hybrid option, Dirac 208 or Zoom (Zoom link will be emailed after registration)
Audience Focus: everyone
Description: Stata is a powerful statistical software widely used for data management and analysis. This beginner-friendly session, ideal for those new to Stata or in need of a refresher, will cover essential skills such as understanding variable types, encoding and recoding data, and working with string variables. Participants will also learn how to conduct univariate and bivariate analyses, create and manage do-files, and apply best practices for organizing and exploring datasets.
When: Thursday, March 12 (1:30-2:45pm)
Where: Zoom (A Zoom URL will be sent to your email after registration.)
Audience Focus: Graduate Students and Doctoral Candidates
Description: MATLAB is a multi-purpose numerical computing environment and programming language widely used for solving problems in various engineering, scientific, and mathematical fields. MATLAB can handle matrices and arrays as fundamental data types, making it well-suited for scientific and engineering computations. MATLAB also comes with hundreds of built-in functions and commands that can be used for data analysis and visualization. This workshop will explore various concepts integral to using MATLAB, including working within the desktop environment, creating and manipulating vectors and matrices, importing external data, generating scripts, and creating 2D plots.
Discover workshops from our Graduate Skills Workshop Series here.
Invitation: Relax & Recharge, Join Our EVERYbody Thrives Sound Bath Experience
Graduate Women in STEM invites you to join us for the EVERYbody Thrives Sound Bath, a relaxing and restorative wellness experience hosted by CHAW.
A Sound Bath is a deeply immersive sound meditation designed to relax the body, calm the mind, and
uplift the spirit. During this 75-minute session, participants are guided into a peaceful state of rest through the soothing sounds of crystal singing bowls, chimes, and other healing instruments.
The session begins with a short introduction to sound meditation, followed by gentle relaxation cues that help you settle into a tranquil “sound cocoon.”
What to Expect
- A restorative soundscape that promotes balance, presence, and peace
- A passive, fully supported experience—simply lie back and listen
- A prompt start at the top of the hour, lasting 75 minutes
What to Bring
- A yoga mat or comfortable mat to lie on
- A blanket, pillow, and anything that helps you feel cozy and supported
Event Details
Monday, March 30, 2026
6:00 – 7:15 PM
Location: Claude Pepper Auditorium (636 West Call Street)
Please arrive by 5:50 PM to allow time to get settled. For the comfort of all participants, late entry will not be permitted once the session begins.
Note: Seats are limited, and registration closes Friday, March 20.
We hope you will join us for this calming experience and take a moment to pause and recharge during the semester.
Kick off Spring Break with MEGSA (FREE) Bowling Event
With Spring Break just around the corner, we’re excited to invite you to MEGSA Bowling — the perfect chance to kick off the holidays and step away from your research and coursework for a well-deserved break!
Join the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student Association (MEGSA) for an evening of friendly competition, camaraderie, and strikes. This is a great opportunity to unwind, connect with your fellow graduate engineering students, and have some fun outside of the lab and classroom. Whether you're a seasoned bowler or just want to hang out and enjoy the company, we would love to see you there. No experience is required!
Event Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, March 12th, 2026
🕒 Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
📍 Location: FSU Bowling & Billiards Center (75 N Woodward Ave)
As the semester progresses, this gathering offers the perfect opportunity to pause, connect, and share experiences with fellow students in a relaxed and fun setting.
To join us, please register here. The registration is free. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at megsa@eng.famu.fsu.edu.
We can’t wait to see you on the lanes!
HIGSA TALKS 2026 - Call for Papers
FSU’s Hispanic Graduate Student Association is announcing a call for papers for our annual HiGSA Talks event on April 11. HiGSA Talks is our version of a TED-style talk, where graduate students share engaging presentations on their research, experiences, and ideas with the broader community in a dynamic and accessible format
APRIL 1I, 2026
THE FSU SENATE CHAMBERS MEETING ROOM
STUDENT UNION BUILDING, ROOM 3010
Join us for a day of interdisciplinary presentations. Through engaging talks, we will explore Hispanic and Latino cultures! Open to all majors and programs. Free registration.
Celebration of Graduate Student Excellence 
The Graduate School, the Office of Graduate Fellowships & Awards (OGFA), and the Congress of Graduate Students (COGS) cordially invite you to the Graduate School's Celebration of Graduate Student Excellence, an awards ceremony and reception to recognize FSU graduate students for excellence in teaching, research, creativity, and leadership.
Celebration of Graduate Student Excellence
Monday, April 6, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | FSU Alumni Center
Register Now! Launch Ring Ceremony Registration Deadline is April 3
Tuesday, April 21 from 6:00PM-8:00PM
Registration begins Now.
Come to Student Services in B111 to size and order your ring.
Deadline to register is April 3, 2026.
Graduating seniors, graduate students and faculty are invited to participate!
Tau Beta Pi-Teaching Award Survey
Thank you for participating in the Tau Beta Pi Excellence in Teaching Award selection process. This survey is open to all students in the FAMU‑FSU College of Engineering.
Your responses will help identify outstanding instructors within each department. All responses are anonymous. Please answer honestly based on your experience.
Click here for the online survey.
FSU Research Communications: Media Training Workshop
University Communications and Research Development are hosting a media training workshop March 4, 2026, 10:00a.m. - 12:00 p.m., FSU Research Foundation, Building A, Room 120 - 2000 Levy Avenue. Engineering faculty, staff and students are invited to attend. Register here.
Contact Information: If you'd like additional information about this event, please contact Dr. Crystal Ladwig.
HiGSA Hispanic Graduate Student Association
CineHassee @ Florida State University
Join us for a special two-night cinematic experience featuring acclaimed Basque screenwriter and producer Xabi Zabaleta!
Free food while supplies last!
March 9 | El Vasco | FSU ASLC Cinema
Doors open at 6:00 PM | Film at 7:00 PM
March 10 | Desaparecido | FSU Club Downunder
Starts at 6:00 PM
Both screenings will be followed by a live Q&A conversation with Xabi Zabaleta, creator and producer of Desaparecido and screenwriter/producer of El Vasco. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insight into the creative process behind these internationally recognized productions.
DOE SCGSR Program for Graduate Students
Are you a Ph.D. student looking to energize your dissertation with world-class scientific power at a DOE laboratory or facility? The DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is now accepting applications for 2026 Solicitation 1, due May 6, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. Login here. Attend the upcoming Application Assistance Workshops to learn more about the DOE SCGSR program, receive application guidance, and field questions to program area scientists!
Application Assistance Workshops
Workshop 1: DOE SCGSR Program Overview and Abstract Preparation
March 5, 2026, 2:00-3:30PM ET
Workshop 2: Q&A and Application Guidance/ Proposal Writing
April 9, 2026, 2:00PM-4:30PM ET
Additional Questions? Attend our weekly virtual office hours: Fridays 1:00-2:00 PM ET from March 6th to May 1st
Library News: Understanding Academic Publishing Workshops
Understanding Academic Publishing is a workshop series designed to help students, faculty
, and staff build practical skills in publishing and disseminating research. Workshops address research planning, the publication process, writing across different academic genres, copyright and permissions, open access, and research impact. Each session emphasizes practical tools and techniques to support publication. The series runs February 17 through March 24 with workshops being held in the Strozier Library on the main FSU campus. More information and registration can be found here.
NSBE STEM Camp | The Science of You
Discover the scientific secrets behind body care, wellness, self-care and innovation. Students will uncover the science of beauty in a new light as they redefine personal self-care through chemistry and technology.
One-Day Workshop
March 7th, 2026
10am-3pm with a Showcase at 6pm
Challenger Learning Center 200 S. Duval Street Tallahassee, FL
Open to lab leaders ages 12 - 17
- Hands-on Labs
- Industry guests
- Body care kit
Register today. Click here for details about student scholarships. Select: Scholarship Recipient Ticket
In partnership with the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee
Happening
Lunchtime Food Trucks will be at the Shaw Building's picnic area on the corner of East Paul Dirac Drive and Pottsdamer Street starting at 11:00 am. Lunch truck tentative schedule here.
COE Cafe: Spring 2026 Hours - Mon - Fri, 7:30am - 3:00pm | Menu
FSU Accepted Student Webinar, March 10, 2026, 7P, ZOOM (Hope C.)
CBS Survivor Weekly Watch Party, March 11, 2026, 7:30P, Proof Brewery Co. (Shearer)
DCQC Workshop: MPI and GPU Programming, March 13, 2026, 2P-4P, AME 106 (Shoele)
The 1st North Florida Wildfire Science & Technology Workshop, March 13, 2026, 10:00am-5:00pm, IGNITETallahassee, 1729 W. Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310 (Yushun Dong)
Spring Break, March 16-20, 2026 - No classes
CBS Survivor Weekly Watch Party, March 18, 2026, 7:30P, Proof Brewery Co. (Shearer)
Brilliant Resilience Saturday School, March 21, 2026 9A-4P, B135 (Ernst)
#2 Research Town Hall, VP Research Charles Weatherford, March 23, 2026, 3:00P-5:00P, MRB 114 (Liang)
ChE Undergraduate Townhall, March 24, 2026, 5:00P-7:00P, B210 (Gaughf)
CBS Survivor Weekly Watch Party, March 25, 2026, 7:30P, Proof Brewery Co. (Shearer)
BME Undergraduate Townhall, March 26, 2026, 5:00P-7:00P, B210 (Gaughf)
CBE Research Day + DDS Frank Bates, March 27, 2026, 2:30-3:30pm DDS, IRCB and Awards at 3:30pm, IRCB
DCQC Workshop: Modal Analysis, March 27, 2026, 2P-4P, AME 106 (Shoele)
FAMU Spring Preview at Engineering, March 28, 2026, 11:00A-1:00P, A Atrium (Roberts)
Brilliant Resilience Saturday School, March 28, 2026 9A-4P, B135 (Ernst)
NSBE JR. Meetings, March 28, 2026, 11:00A-1:00P, A125 (McGill)
CBS Survivor Weekly Watch Party, April 1, 2026, 7:30P, Proof Brewery Co. (Shearer)
Launch Ring Ceremony Registration Deadline, April 3, 2026 | Go to B111 Student Services to size/order your ring!
DCQC Workshop: Applied CFD (SU2), April 3, 2026, 2P-4P, AME 106 (Shoele)
Brilliant Resilience Saturday School, April 4, 2026 9A-4P, B235 (Ernst)
CBS Survivor Weekly Watch Party, April 8, 2026, 7:30P, Proof Brewery Co. (Shearer)
Florida Quantum Conference, April 9-11, 2026, TBD at FSU Kroto Auditorium
Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 10, 2026, Poster session: 10:00am-12:00pm; Lunch, speaker and awards, 12:00pm-1:30pm, TBD (AbdelRazig)
Brilliant Resilience Saturday School, April 11, 2026 9A-4P, B235 (Ernst)
NSBE JR. Meetings, April 11, 2026, 11:00A-1:00P, A125 (McGill)
CBS Survivor Weekly Watch Party, April 15, 2026, 7:30P, Proof Brewery Co. (Shearer)
2026 Tallahassee Regional, REBUILT, FIRSTAGE and FIRST Robotics Competition, April 15-18, 2026, Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center, (Keller) | Volunteers from among our faculty, staff and students needed! No experience required.
FAMU Day of Giving, April 16-17, 2026
Graduate Research Symposium, April 16, 2026, 4:30-6:00pm, TBD (Jacobs)
(R-SEAT) Center Annual UTC Conference, April 16-17, 2026, 8:00am-3:00pm, IRCB (Bryant) – Registration closes on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 5:30 PM.
College Advisory Boards, April 16-17, 2026, TBD, TBD
DCQC Workshop: JAX & Automatic Differentiation, April 17, 2026, 2P-4P, AME 106 (Shoele)
Senior Design Day, April 17, 2026, TBD, TBD. (Shearer)
Brilliant Resilience Saturday School, April 18, 2026 9A-4P, B135 (Ernst)
ASCE Bridge Florida, April 18, 2026, 8:00A-12:00P, COE (Spainhour)
Launch Ceremony, April 21, 2026, 6P-8P, COE B Lawn (Rambo-Roddenberry)
CBS Survivor Weekly Watch Party, April 22, 2026, 7:30P, Proof Brewery Co. (Shearer)
Last Day of Classes, April 24, 2026
Faculty & Staff Meeting, April 24, 2026, 1P-3:30P B221 (Brown)
Brilliant Resilience Saturday School, April 25, 2026 9A-4P, B135 (Ernst)
NSBE JR. Meetings, April 25, 2026, 11:00A-1:00P, A125 (McGill)
Final Exam Week, April 27-May 1
PhD Brunch, April 30, 2026, 10:00am-12:00pm, IRCB 1030 (Evans)
Spring FSU MS, BS Commencement, May 1, 2026, 2:00pm, Civic Center
Spring FSU PhD Hooding, 9:00am, Civic Center
Spring FAMU Commencement, May 2, 2026, 2:00P, Lawson Multipurpose Center
Leon County Schools STEAM Challenge, May 8, 2026, 8:00A-1:30P, A atrium
Memorial Day Holiday, May 25, 2026, College Closed
Bookmark college events webpage.
2026 First Fridays Quantum Bites Brown Bag Lunch Series
UPCOMING Quantum Bites, 12-1 pm with pizza lunch in IRCB 1030
Our 3rd Quantum Bites Seminar of the spring semester is scheduled for noon next Friday, and it will be presented by Prof. Yanzhu Chen (Department of Physics).
- March 13, 2026 - Yanzhu Chen (Physics) - "Quantum Error Correction Algorithm" (TBD)
There will be no seminar on Friday, 04/10, since we will be hosting the Florida Quantum Conference (FQC) on April 9–11, 2026 at the FSU Chemical Sciences Laboratory (Kroto Auditorium). Event details and registration are available here.
QUESTIONS? Feel free to reach out to Wei Guo at wguo@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Spring 2026 Department Graduate Seminars
Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar - March 13, 2026
Using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Material in a Florida Panhandle Bridge Replacement Project with Extremely
Aggressive Environment, with Greene & Associates, LLC speakers Chad Thompson, P.E., Tallahassee Office Lead, LLC and Michael Mohney, P.E.
Friday, March 13, 2065 at 12:30 p.m., COE B134
Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar - April 10, 2026
Quantum Computing: An Emerging Approach to Sustainability and Decarbonization in Buildings and Cities, with 
speaker Dr. Zhipeng Deng, Assistant Professor Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering University of Central Florida
Friday, April 10, 2026 at 12:30 p.m., COE B134
Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar - April 17, 2026
Surveying Reality (SurReal): Immersive Technologies in Surveying Education, with speaker Dr.
Dimitrios Bolkas, Associate Professor and Program Chair, Surveying Engineering Program Pennsylvania State University
Friday, April 17, 2026 at 12:30 p.m., ZOOM https://bit.ly/4a7fYCQ
Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar - April 24, 2026
Leveraging emerging technologies to address the crisis of aging concrete infrastructure, with speaker Dr. Xianming Shi, Chairman and Professor 
Civil & Architectural Engineering University of Miami
Friday, April 24, 2026 at 12:30 p.m., COE B134
Evaluation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems ADAS) Influence on Florida Intersection Safety
First Robotics Tallahassee Regional Competition, Call for Judges
The 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition game, REBUILT, has been released and we would like to invite you to see it in person as a judge for the Tallahassee Regional Event on April 17th and 18th, 2026 at the Alfred Lawson Center.
This is a high school robotics program that brings teams from around the world to the FAMU campus to compete in a three (3) day tournament and they are need of judges for a two (2) day inspiring experience! No experience is needed.
Teams this year will gather balls designated as fuel and shoot them into hubs to score points for their alliances. At the end of the game teams will climb towers at their players station for bonus points. Being a judge will give you a front row seat to the excitement that is about to come to Tallahassee. The full game video can be found here.
Elise and Kelli will once again be the Co-Judge Advisors for the competition, and we are looking forward to working with new and returning judges. If you know someone else who might enjoy being a judge, please invite them to register as well!
Apply to volunteer today:
- Login or Create an account here.
- Click the Volunteer Registration tab & click ‘Volunteer at an Event’
- Filter events by program (FRC) and area to find an event near you
- Select roles you are interested in (Judge)
- Complete your required youth protection background screening (applicable every 3 years in US & Canada only) & ensure you have agreed to the Consent & Release Form.
As a reminder, judging is two full days of fun. As we get closer to the event, we’ll be assigning you to judge for Machine Attributes, Team Attribute awards, or as a Match Observer. If you have a preference, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.
Get ready for an exciting two days - we guarantee you will continue to be amazed at the creativity and energy displayed by the students and their adult mentors.
Finally, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We can’t wait to see you in Tallahassee!
Kelli Van Antwerp & Elise Cronin-Hurley
FIRST Robotics Competition Co-Judge Advisors
Tallahassee Regional, FIRST Robotics Competition
www.tallahasseefrc.org | tallahasseeregional@gmail.com
FSU CFA Performance Schedule
Dissertation and Thesis Defenses
Dissertation Defenses
Gary Germanton, Tuesday, March 10, 2026 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Event Location: MRB 114
Ayobami Olajube, Tuesday, March 10, 2026 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Event Location: CAPS-RF1-147-LCR (Large Conference Room)
Dayna Richter, Tuesday, March 10, 2026 @ 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Event Location: IRCB 1030
Qi Wang, Tuesday, March 10, 2026 @ 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Event Location: B-202B
Daniel Barzycki, Wednesday, March 11, 2026 @ 03:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Event Location: A115
Sarajeen Saima Hoque, Wednesday, March 11, 2026 @ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Event Location: ENG-IRCB-3040C (Conference Room)
Derek Vasquez, Wednesday, March 11, 2026 @ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Event Location: AME 106
Masahiro Fukuda, Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Event Location: B-202B
Seyedreza Abazari, Friday, March 13, 2026 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Event Location: A-115
Yousef Saleh, Friday, March 13, 2026 @ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Event Location: AME 211
Jacob Boykin, Monday, March 16, 2026 @ 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Event Location: IRCB 1030
Destiny Law, Friday, March 20, 2026 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Event Location: Virtual
Samantha Lafrance, Monday, March 23, 2026 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Event Location: Virtual
Ahmad Alshami, Monday, March 23, 2026 @ 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Event Location: RIDER C10
THESIS DEFENSES
Aidan Hoolihan, Wednesday, March 11, 2026 @ 03:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Event Location: Shaw Building, Room 255
Omotolani Ajetunmobi, Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Event Location: B-202
Cameron Ryals, Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Event Location: AME 106
Prithwi Chowdhury, Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Event Location: CAPS Research Building (Room 317)
Simon Hart, Tuesday, March 17, 2026 @ 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Event Location: Virtual
Fernando Guerra, Thursday, March 19, 2026 @ 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Event Location: A329
Joshua Vincent, Thursday, March 19, 2026 @ 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Event Location: Virtual
For full defense announcement info click here.
Opportunities for Graduates
Penn State Mechanical Engineering Department is Recruiting Participants in Graduate Engineering Education Study
My name is Erin Johnson. I am a PhD candidate at Pennsylvania State University in the Mechanical Engineering department. I am recruiting participants to take part in a study to understand how engineering graduate students leverage resources and networks throughout their degree programs. This work is funded by my fellowship and is IRB approved. My motivation for creating this study is informed by own academic journey from Tuskegee University (c/o 2018) to where I am now at Penn State.
The first phase of this research is conducted via an online survey, which is comprised of demographic information and a recall exercise of your resources and social networks. The second phase is an optional interview series to understand the nature of social networks and how these networks are mobilized to achieve goals.
The online survey link is below. The first two pages determine your eligibility and the informed consent section, which includes more information regarding the study, including measures taken to protect confidentiality. It is estimated that the survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete, and you may save your results and return to the survey at any time. If you complete the survey, you will have the option to enter into a drawing for a $25 gift card.
If you are interested in participating in this study, please complete the online survey by March 18, 2026.
If you have any questions about the study, or how the data will be used, feel free to contact me here and I will answer any questions you may have.
DOE SCGSR Applications Now Open
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is accepting applications for the 2026 Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program. Deadline: May 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Key Actions:
- Apply: Online here.
- Workshop 1 (Program overview): March 5, 2026, 2–3:30 p.m. ET (Zoom link in original email)
- Workshop 2 (Application guidance): April 9, 2026, 2–4:30 p.m. ET (Zoom link in original email)
- Weekly office hours: Fridays, 1–2 p.m. ET starting March 6 (Zoom link in original email)
The program provides supplemental support for graduate students conducting thesis research at DOE National Labs, with potential international research opportunities.
CIWRO Research Scientist Open Position
Research Scientist – Improving Short-term Fire Weather Warning Guidance 
Overview
The Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO) seeks a highly motivated individual to improve high resolution fire weather warning guidance using high resolution forecast models such as the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS). Fire weather watch and warning guidance can use short-term 0-6 hour probabilistic forecasts of atmospheric smoke from satellite detected wildfires, and the conditions for which fire spread may be likely to occur. The primary task of this position is to further improve future fire weather warning guidance through coupling of WoFS or similar systems with fire spread models, development of innovative visualization products, and verification of these improvements against radar and satellite observations. This is a Research Scientist position to be located in Norman Oklahoma at the National Weather Center on the campus of the University of Oklahoma.
More details about working at the University of Oklahoma, benefits packages, as well as living in Norman, Oklahoma are provided on our website. We are dedicated to promoting a healthy work-life balance by championing a flexible work culture, offering adaptable work hours and a hybrid work arrangement. This empowering framework enables team members to seamlessly navigate personal commitments while effectively contributing to their professional responsibilities.
How to apply
Applications should be mailed to ciwro-careers@ou.edu Attn: Fire and include a cover letter, the names and contact information for 3 references, and your resume/cv. The cover letter must highlight your relevant qualifications and how they can contribute to high resolution fire weather forecasting. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The starting date is negotiable.
The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
FAMU Graduate Research Studies
GFSD Application is Open NOW
Apply Now - The Application is Open | click link here
A PERFECT MATCH doctoral degree a potential National Physical– with a great future ahead.
The GFSD is more than a way to help promising science students earn their advanced degree. It offers an opportunity for employers across the United States to play a major role in training tomorrow’s scientists while enhancing and diversifying their workforce. The GFSD provides an important service to businesses, industries and laboratories by identifying tomorrow’s most promising scientists and matching them with employer-sponsors who support their doctoral training. GFSD assists employers with mentoring and other ways of increasing the likelihood that GFSD fellows will work for their sponsor after the Ph.D. Employer sponsors include the nation’s top agencies, companies and laboratories, along with more than 100 public and private universities. With an outstanding record of success, the GFSD brings today’s industry leaders together with tomorrow’s most promising science scholars – a perfect match.
ABOUT GFSD
The Graduate Fellowship for STEM Diversity is a unique partnership of industry, government and higher education. GFSD helps its partners to recruit, identify, select, and support outstanding U.S. doctoral students. Since granting its first fellowship award to seven young scholars in 1989, the GFSD partnership has provided fellowships to more than 600 aspiring scientists and engineers. Of these, nearly half are minorities and three-quarters are women. More than 300 have received the doctorate degree. GFSD’s principal objective is to aid in increasing the number of Ph.D.’s in the physical sciences and related engineering fields, emphasizing recruitment of a diverse applicant pool of women
and historically underrepresented minorities. All U.S. citizens are eligible.
GFSD GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
GFSD Offers A two-phase, six-year fellowship program
- Initial support is for two or three years. If progress is satisfactory and the conditions of the award are maintained, support may continue for a total of up to six years. Students typically apply while seniors in college. (Some employers may require a postdoctoral employment commitment in return for continuing support.)
- Dissertation support is also available to students to apply for in the year prior to the one in which they intend to start their Ph.D. dissertation research. Funding begins in the year in which the research begins and, if the conditions of the award are maintained, may continue to the Ph.D.
BECOME AN GFSD FELLOW
To learn more and to apply online, go to www.stemfellowships.org. Students may apply starting in late August; the process closes in late December (see www.stemfellowships.org for exact dates). The information included on the online application is the same as that required for graduate school admission: degrees earned and expected, employment and internship history, grades (self-entered and later verified), GRE scores (optional), references, personal statement, etc. The Fellowship covers tuition and fees and provides a generous annual stipend. Students in the six-year program intern for two summers with their sponsor, who provides a salary and covers travel expenses. For students who receive six years of support, the total value of the Fellowship well exceeds $200,000.
Graduate Student Association (GSA) Opportunities @FAMU
FSU ACE Learning Studio
FSU's Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) is a university learning center, focused on helping students develop the study skills and success habits needed in a large research university. Check back here for the calendar of topics, dates and times.
Need to Know
Advancing Digital Accessibility at FSU: Federal Updates
Florida State University is one of the top public universities in the nation, and now we have an opportunity to lead the way in digital accessibility, setting an example for other institutions by prioritizing inclusive access for everyone.
Digital accessibility means making sure websites, apps, and all online materials are easy for everyone to use, including people with disabilities. This involves designing and creating content so that it works for people who might use screen readers, need captions for videos, or rely on keyboard navigation. Making digital content accessible helps everyone participate fully — no one gets left out.
Why Digital Accessibility Matters
FSU is legally required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its updated regulations to ensure all public-facing digital content is accessible to everyone. Digital accessibility is a legal obligation and a reflection of our values as educators. By making our materials accessible, we support an inclusive environment where all students, staff, and visitors can engage fully with our content, regardless of their abilities.
On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) published a new rule on digital accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This rule requires FSU's web content, including academic courses, videos, documents and social media, to be accessible beginning on April 24, 2026, and going forward.
Shared Responsibility and Resources
Compliance is a university-wide responsibility. Departments and units are responsible for reviewing and remediating legacy content. While a dedicated task force has been working diligently on this major undertaking, it will take all of us to meet the requirements of the rule.
To help FSU meet these requirements, the task force has developed a dedicated website with guides, standards, and best practices at digitalaccessibility.fsu.edu.
We know there will be questions, so we have created an email address (digitalaccessibility@fsu.edu) where you and your teams can reach out if you need additional support.
What to Do Next
- Familiarize yourself with the digital accessibility standards, guidelines and resources on digitalaccessibility.fsu.edu.
- Review all digital content you create or manage to ensure it meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements. Get started here.
- Update or remediate existing materials for accessibility as needed, especially if they are publicly facing.
- Identify the appropriate contact within your department or unit for assistance with remediating content or creating accessible materials.
- If you need specific guidance, reach out to our accessibility task force support team at digitalaccessibility@fsu.edu.
REMINDER: COE Parking Regulations & Motorcycle/Scooter Parking
In order to provide the safest environment possible, Parking Services and FSUPD issue parking citations and/or tow vehicles which are not properly parked at the College of Engineering (vehicles must be legally parked in an appropriate space). This includes those vehicles which are parked in the grass, in no-parking areas, next to red or yellow painted curbs, those that have jumped a curb, or those that park in hashed-out spaces. Vehicles illegally parked in reserved spaces will be immediately ticketed/towed at the owner's expense.
REMEMBER: Parking is never allowed on the grass (vehicles must be legally parked in an appropriate space). See the parking map here.
Motorcycle and scooter parking: There is very limited space for motorcycles and scooters at the COE. In the A Bldg. lot, there is a small area reserved for motorcycles and scooters. There is no motorcycle/scooter parking in the B Bldg. lot. Motorcycles and scooters also cannot park on walkways, in handicap spaces, or in regular parking spaces at the COE. Those that park anywhere at the COE other than the designated location in the A Bldg. lot will be in violation of university parking regulations and may be ticketed. Motorcycles and scooters can park in the overflow lot (yay!).
Additional spaces are available in the overflow lot between the B parking lot and the AME building. This lot extends to the end of Innovation Park (it’s huge! See the map here).
Don’t forget, students/faculty/staff can take the bus to and from the College, FAMU, and FSU for free with a valid University ID. Carpooling and Biking are also great!
Pedestrians, please look up from your phones before stepping out into the street when leaving the building. We hope that everyone can come and go safely from the college.
Engineering Library Scholar Support
For Students
Library Hours
The last day of library’s staffed hours (Monday through Friday, 8 AM-5 PM) will be Friday, Dec. 12. The space will remain open during the intersession as building hours permit. Staffed hours will restart on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
New Items
Sometimes scholars need a laptop for more than a few hours. COE Library now has 3-Day loaner PC laptops and chargers. Also new to the library this semester are measuring kits. These packs include one each of tape measure roll, soft measuring tape, protractor and compass.
For further information, reach out to Shaundra Lee, Engineering Library Scholar Support Supervisor.
Campus Safety Updates & Emergency Preparedness Information
At Florida State University, the safety and security of everyone on campus remains our top priority. The university uses a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to campus safety, integrating a top-notch campus police department, advanced technology, robust emergency management protocols, and dedicated security personnel. These coordinated efforts are designed to protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike, ensuring a secure environment that supports learning and collaboration.
As we begin the fall semester, we'd like to take the opportunity to introduce you to some new technology tools and resources, reiterate the various means by which FSU supports the campus community during emergencies, and encourage you to review emergency preparedness materials.
CAMPUS SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS
As is the case every summer, the university has been diligently working on campus enhancements. This fall, you will see new technology tools, such as panic buttons and lockdown buttons, installed in academic spaces throughout campus.
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Panic Buttons: These are blue in color and are silent alert buttons that send a direct alert to the FSU Police Department’s dispatch center. Use these in emergencies involving active assailant threats. When activated, they trigger immediate police dispatch. Remember to also physically lock the room where the panic button is being activated.
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Lockdown Buttons: These are yellow in color and marked “Lockdown.” When activated, doors are automatically locked, and FSU Police are immediately dispatched to the building. No one from outside the room can enter except FSU Police.
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Door Locks: Doors to academic spaces that are not equipped with centrally managed electronic locks have thumb-turn or push-button locking systems.
All of these new enhancements comply with university guidelines, ADA standards and building codes.
Our University Communications team collaborated closely with Public Safety to create an educational video that will teach you when and how to use these tools properly.
We encourage everyone to check classrooms, offices, and other university facilities at the start of each semester to know what technology is available in each location. DO NOT push panic or lockdown buttons to test them.
WATH: How to USe Door Locks and Lockdown/Panic Buttons in Classrooms
In addition to these security enhancements, you will see an increased security presence at the Student Union. Throughout the semester, FSU Police officers also will hold office hours at the Union. Times and dates will be announced.
FSU ALERT
FSU ALERT is the official emergency notification and warning system of Florida State University. In the event of a situation or condition, occurring or imminent, that poses an immediate threat to the health, safety, or general welfare of students, faculty, staff or visitors to the university, an FSU ALERT will be issued. The FSU ALERT emergency notification system uses multiple methods for disseminating emergency information, including email, text messages, alerts.fsu.edu and social media.
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
Having a well-defined plan is essential for ensuring safety and achieving positive outcomes in the event of an emergency. We recommend that you review our Emergency Preparedness Guide and develop a personal emergency plan. In addition, FSU has Emergency Action Guides for many of the potential hazards we face in Florida and at FSU. Each guide provides protective action steps and best practices on how to respond to an emergency situation, including hurricanes, tornadoes and active threats.
ACTIVE THREAT TRAINING
The FSU Police Department will continue to offer Active Threat Training this fall, and participation is strongly encouraged. This training provides information and skills for responding during an active threat situation by understanding and applying the Run, Hide, Fight strategy.
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Upcoming dates for faculty/staff trainings are Aug. 26, Sept. 2, Sept. 9, Sept. 16 and Sept. 30. To register, visit hr.fsu.edu.
- You may also watch this short video to become familiar with the fundamental principles of the Run, Hide, Fight strategy or watch a recorded training session.
We appreciate your commitment to fostering a safe and resilient campus environment. By staying informed, participating in available trainings, and familiarizing yourself with the resources and protocols provided, you will help ensure that Florida State University remains a place where everyone can thrive. As a reminder, mental health and resiliency resources are available for all students, faculty and staff anytime, anywhere. Visit response.fsu.edu to check out support tools and resources.
Thank you for your ongoing support and vigilance. We wish you all a successful and secure semester ahead.
Engineering Our Future
We identified five strategic priorities to focus on for the next five years. For each of these priorities, we set goals with identified metrics for our college:
Good to Know
Website Transition Update – Materials & Aerospace Engineering
You may have noticed changes on the college website regarding the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. Following the department's renaming, the website will be updated to reflect the new name. Most page titles and text references to the department have already been changed from "Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering" and "MAE" within those department web pages where appropriate. I am still working on updating language site-wide.
URLs have also been changed; however, if you type in or click on an old link within our site, it should redirect you to the proper page. For example, the Undergraduate Admissions page URL has been updated, but if you type in or use this link, it will still take you to MAE Undergraduate Admissions webpage.
File names will not change, meaning links to PDFs, images, and other media items housed on the website will stay the same.
While I've tried to make this transition as smooth as possible, I expect there will be some interruptions and broken pathways. If you encounter an issue, please notify me via the website update request form or by email.
Ginny Fouts
(she/her/hers)
Web Content Marketing Strategist
Final Reminder - LEED Training Workshops - May 2026 Deadline
LEED Green Associate Certification: Spring Workshops
Finish your semester by becoming a LEED Green Associate professional and show employers your certified knowledge in sustainability before May 2026, when the LEED exam is set to become more challenging. While LEED itself is a scorecard to rate Green Buildings, students and professionals can also become LEED accredited demonstrating their expertise in sustainability.
LEED: Is the #1 Sustainability Certification and is recognized globally
- Valuable Credential: Adds an industry-recognized certification that boosts employability.
- Open to All: Available for students of all years, with no prior experience required as our workshop has helped over 15,000 pass their exam.
- Time Sensitive: Those who pass before May 2026 will not be required to take the updated and more challenging new exam.
- Affordable: Limited time student discounts are available for you!
- High Pass Rate: Our workshops focus not just on passing the test, but on providing a deep understanding of the material which significantly improves your chances of success, especially considering the exam's historically low pass rate.
LEED Green Associate (GA) Training - Webinar and Online self-paced options:
I will be offering live webinars that can be streamed on any of the following dates:
- March 14 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EDT
- April 11 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EDT - OR -
- On-demand recordings completed at your own pace
The above options (1-3) are all identical.
Register for a live online seminar or start today with our on-demand recorded workshop completed anytime at your own pace here.
Both options offer comprehensive training, practice exams, valuable tips, and required textbooks - all led by a USGBC Faculty member. It's the most efficient and affordable way to master the material without breaking the bank!
Cost: $200 with the coupon code ‘green’ for $100 off! (Non-students $300)
Please contact the instructor Lorne Mlotek directly with any questions.
ORNL Internship and Job Opportunities: March 2026
ORNL Opportunities | A Newsletter of Internships and Jobs for
New Graduates: March 2026
March marks the month where we are making the final matches for summer undergraduate mentorships, with all the traditional applications being closed.
However, workarounds are available in special cases where a mentor and student are identified already. Please contact me if you run into this. March also marks the opening of the Fall internship recruiting season. For obvious reasons, these are less popular than summer, but you should know that we do offer our normal undergraduate internships on time frame that correspond roughly to your Fall, Spring and Summer periods.
Graduate internships under the GRO program do not have any deadline; they are handled on a rolling basis. However, the process does take some time…so we do advise students to reach out to potential mentors very soon if they wish to come for a full summer.
William Jenks | Core Universities Student Programs Lead, Office of Research Education, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, jenksws@ornl.gov | 515-451-4711
FAMU-FSU Engineering Career Services Liaisons
FAMU - Sean Collins - sean.collins@famu.edu - Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Sr. Career Specialist, Career Services Liaison at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.
Fall 2025 Student Advising Hours:
Tuesday - 8:30 AM - 12 Noon (Virtual)
Wednesday - 8:30 AM - 12 Noon COE A143 (Appointments only (Virtual or In-Person)) & 1 PM - 4:30 PM COE A143 Virtual & Walk-Ins
- Except for special events at FAMU Main Campus.
Thursday - 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (COE A143
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FSU - Tiffany Lueng Career Liaison for the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Spring 2026 Student Advising Hours
Career Advising by Appointment Only
- In-Person: Tuesday - Thursday, A141
- Virtual: 9:00am-4:00pm
Please email tleung@fsu.edu to schedule an appointment.
Career Docs (Virtual Document Review):
- Students can submit their resumes, cover letters, and other career-related documents for online review and feedback via Career Docs - https://canvas.fsu.edu/enroll/3LWPX7
Job Fairs and Events | Jobs, Internships & Experience | Plan Your Career
Things to Do
Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee
Hollywood Movies at the IMAX | Call (850) 645-7796 to Buy Tickets
Student tickets are $11. Check out all the new movies now playing, here.
Resources
Engineering Career Services
Virtual and F2F advising hours here.
FAMU Academics
Links to academic info, student services, student life and more.
FSU Student Academic Resources
Links to academic info, official university announcements and public health information.
Online Scholarship Search
FAMU Scholarships
FSU Scholarships
In Case of Emergencies
Call 9-1-1. If you have concerns about your safety while on the engineering campus, call FSU Police 850-644-1234.
Access important resources and updates at: RESPONSE.FSU.EDU
The Engineering Library Circulation Desk
Hours are: Monday - Friday – 8am to 5pm | (850) 410-6328 | A225 & A248
College Lost and Found
Student Services in B111 is the college lost and found location. If you've found something, drop it off here and if you've lost something, check here first!
Need a Mental Health Break?
Welcome to the Breakroom, B226-H, which is available for one person at a time, from 9:00 am - 4:50 pm on normal business days. Reserve a 50-minute slot using this link.
FAMU Office of Counseling Services located at 1735 Wahnish Way Suite 304 (CASS Building), provides a professional, safe atmosphere where students can discuss academic and personal issues. Schedule an appointment to talk to someone: (850) 599-3145 or counseling@famu.edu. For after-hours assistance, call BetterMynd for FREE at (844) 287-6963. In case of emergency, call FAMU Police Department at (850) 599-3256 or dial 911
FSU Counseling & Psychological Services is fully committed to the health and wellness of our students. We are offering Telemental Health Services (through zoom), in-person services, and Telephonic Crisis Support to students. Call us at 850-644-TALK (8255) to talk to a clinician today. Check online for more information.
Want to add something to the next issue?
Email us! Deadline is Wednesday for Monday publication.