February, 2015
Vanderbilt alum, retired CIA chief tech officer talks wearables
Feb. 27, 2015—A Vanderbilt engineering graduate who retired from the CIA discussed recently what wearable technology can do — including hand valuable information about users to hackers. A clip of Ira “Gus” Hunt appeared in a Fox News investigative piece on devices such as Fitbit and Jawbone, which people use to improve their health. The news report...
Paralyzed by accident, grad student engineers his future with exoskeleton
Feb. 26, 2015—Andrew Ekelem sits in a wheelchair at the bottom of the fifth-floor stairwell at Olin Hall, laptop balanced on his thighs, quick keystrokes making tiny adjustments for the exoskeleton that promises to change his life. It’s carrying a test subject up 10 stairs before the safety of a landing, one painstaking move at a time,...
Arduino programming, nano blimps mark Feb. 23-27 E-Week schedule
Feb. 23, 2015—Engineering students at Vanderbilt University are showcasing their ingenuity through a series of fun and challenging competitions and events during Vanderbilt Engineers Week, going on now. In addition to spotlighting the engineering profession, the competitions and activities are designed to interest students in engineering and scientific fields. All activities will be held in the Featheringill...
Environmental engineer visits home to help rice farmers overcome drought
Feb. 17, 2015—Thushara Gunda’s palm and fingertips remain bronzed with the stain of henna – applied the traditional Indian way and made to last for weeks. It’s a whimsical souvenir from a trip home. But her visit included a serious mission: to uncover how South Asian rice farmers can adapt to drought and grow the highest yields...
Guelcher, Weiss are inaugural Chancellor Faculty Fellows
Feb. 16, 2015—Two engineering professors are members of the first cohort of the Chancellor Faculty Fellows program. Scott Guelcher, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and associate professor of biomedical engineering. Guelcher researches the design, synthesis and characterization of polymeric biomaterials for bone tissue engineering. Sharon Weiss, associate professor of electrical engineering and associate professor of...
Newcastle anniversary exhibit includes Peter Cummings’ profile
Feb. 13, 2015—A multimedia exhibition this summer at the University of Newcastle’s museum includes graduates who have helped shape the university’s global recognition through their distinguished careers. The exhibition will include a profile of Peter Cummings, associate dean for research in the School of Engineering and the John R. Hall Professor of Chemical Engineering. The exhibition is...
Students pack Engineering & IT Industry Career Day for shot at internships, jobs
Feb. 12, 2015—Nearly 400 Vanderbilt University engineering students in their best interview attire packed the Student Life Center on Tuesday, all hoping to land internships or permanent jobs with companies eager to attract them. For the 50 companies represented, a visit to Engineering & IT Industry Career Day is a must, several recruiters said, because Vanderbilt offers...
Obama to nominate engineering professor to key post on nuclear waste review board
Feb. 11, 2015—President Barack Obama announced Feb. 11 his intent to nominate Allen Croff to a key administration post. Croff, an appointee for membership on the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, is an adjunct professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He lectures on nuclear reactors, the nuclear fuel cycle, and waste management and consults...