Faculty News
Research:
Dr. Samer Hamdar (CEE) has been awarded a two-year $106,598 sub-contract for “Research Assistant Support for Staff Projects in the Office of Safety Research and Development.” The sub-contract is secured through Battelle Inc., which provides support to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the main sponsor.
Dr. Rumana Riffat (CEE) has received a $147,161 award from Water Research Foundation for her research project “Partial denitrification/anammox as alternative pathway to achieve mainstream short-cut nitrogen removal.” The project will bring together a uniquely qualified team of academics, three advanced treatment utilities, and three engineering firms, with in-depth expertise and experience in biological nutrient removal design and optimization, post denitrification, deammonification, and short-cut nitrogen removal concepts.
Publications:
Dr. Kausik Sarkar (MAE) has published the following paper with his Ph.D. student Abhilash Reddy Malipeddi: A. R. Malipeddy and K. Sarkar. “Collective diffusivity in a sheared viscous emulsion: effects of viscosity ratio,” Physical Review Fluids, 4, 093603.
Conferences & Presentations:
Dr. Ken Chong (MAE) presented the seminar “An outlook on fundamental and translational research” at Tsinghua University (China) on September 17. He also visited the labs of the Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics and the newly established School of Medicine, as well as joining discussion sessions and interacting with faculty and graduate students for two days.
Dr. Payman Dehghanian (ECE) attended the “Arctic Futures 2050 Conference,” which was held September 4-6 and hosted by the National Academy of Sciences. He also was invited to attend the National Science Foundation (NSF) Workshop “Broadening Participation: 2019 Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Workshop for New Investigators,” held September 8-10 at the NSF Headquarters. The goal of the workshop, organized by the University of Florida, was to provide young investigators with valuable information and advice on the policies, procedures, and opportunities available at the NSF.
On August 26 and 27, Dr. Tianshu Li (CEE) gave two invited talks at the American Chemical Society National Meeting, held in San Diego, CA. His talks were titled “Crystallization of Water Induced by Carbon” and “Anomalous Stability of Interfacial Ice Revealed by Freezing of Water in Confinement.”
Dr. David Nagel (ECE, research professor) presented three papers at the 22nd International Conference on Condensed Matter Nuclear Science, held September 9-13 in Assisi, Italy: 1) D. Nagel. “Comparison of the Theoretical Results of Kálmán and Keszthelyi with LENR Experimental Results;” 2) D. Nagel, C. Patil, S. B. Katinsky, M. H. Miles, and M. A. Imam. “The LENRIA Experiment and Analysis Program (LEAP);” and 3) B. Sisik and D. Nagel. “Review of Seebeck Calorimeters Used in LENR Experiments.” Dr. Nagel also provided a summary at the end of the conference.
Dr. Chung Hyuk Park (BME), together with his former postdoctoral researcher Wonhyong Lee and undergraduate researcher Aidan Murray, received the Best Paper award at the International Federation of Automation Control’s Workshop on Robot Control, held September 18-20. Their paper is titled “Personalized Real-Time Hand Gestre Recognition and Classification for Robot Control.”
Dr. Ekundayo Shittu (EMSE) and his Ph.D. student Ted Baker attended a two-day workshop aimed at exploring the future of systems modeling and simulation using TRANSFORM and Modelica related technologies. The workshop was held September 11-12 at the Computational Sciences Institute at Oak Ridge National Laboratories, and it provided hands-on experience and lectures.
Other News:
The GW SmartGrid Lab’s proposed technology “Smart Measurement Units for Online Situational Awareness in Power Grids” has received a 2019 TechConnect Defense Innovation Award. Dr. Payman Dehghanian (ECE), the GW SmartGrid Lab director, will present the technology at next month's Defense TechConnect Summit and Expo in National Harbor, MD.
Dr. Samer Hamdar (CEE) has been elected a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems. The membership on the board lasts for a three-year period, with the possibility of extension.
The Tribochemistry Technical Committee of the Japanese Society of Tribologists presented its inaugural Award in Tribochemistry to Dr. Stephen Hsu (MAE) and to two other researchers at the meeting of the Tribochemistry Forum in Hakodate, Japan. The forum was held September 12-14, in conjunction with the 2019 International Tribology Conference. Dr. Hugh Spikes of the United Kingdom and Dr. Jean-Michel Martin of France also received the award for their outstanding contributions to tribochemistry.
On September 19, Dr. Ekundayo Shittu (EMSE) and Dr. David Lee (BME) conducted a problem-solving studio in Dr. Shittu’s Engineering Economic Analysis Class (EMSE 4410), as a first attempt to implement the lessons learned at the KEEN-organized Problem Solving Studio Workshop. They focused particularly on an entrepreneurial mindset aimed at equipping students to be more curious about the changing world, make connections from disparate information, and create extraordinary value for themselves and their communities. The 26 students in the class worked in pairs to address the choice of a pump within a reverse osmosis water purification system for hospitals in low-resource settings. The objective was to combine information on technical specifications with economic data to choose the best pump. On hand to facilitate the session were Dr. Jason Zara (BME), Konstantin Mitic and Mariia Sidulova (GW Innovation Center), and Anya Dara Welch (EMSE and class TA).
SEAS Events Re-cap
SEAS hosted its second annual Welcome for Women in Engineering on September 17. The event served as an opportunity for SEAS faculty, staff, alumnae, and student leaders to welcome first- and second-year women students in the school. Students had the opportunity to meet one another and to hear from Dean John Lach, Dr. Shelly Heller (CS, director of the SEAS Center for Women in Engineering), Dr. Aylin Caliskan (CS), and SEAS Professional Advisor Dawn Ginnetti. Additionally, SEAS alumna Shravy Valet (BS ‘12, MS ’13), and senior Mercedes Suazo provided introductory remarks and encouragement.
On September 10, the GW Innovation Center (GWIC), working in partnership with Georgetown University’s MakerHub, kicked off a pilot STEAM class at ArtReach GW. During the class, middle schoolers explored how batteries work and practiced using a multimeter to understand voltage and resistance. ArtReach GW provides after-school fine arts education for Washington, DC’s broader Wards 7 and 8 community and for some students from nearby Prince George’s County, and it aspires to be a cornerstone for community engagement through visual arts-based work. GWIC’s Dr. Erica Wortham is providing support teaching for the STEAM class, led by Georgetown MakerHub instructor Ronald Henderson, who is passionate about teaching young students the basics of how science and technology work. GWIC’s motivation for the program is to create an outlet for community engagement for GWIC and SEAS that is interdisciplinary, looking at the many ways engineering and arts can improve life through learning and doing. For more information or to volunteer, please contact GWIC.
Upcoming SEAS Events
CEE Seminar: “North American Natural Gas: Market Evolution and Life Cycle Emissions Implications for the Global Power Sector”
Speaker: Dr. Sarah Marie Jordaan, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University
Monday September 23
2:30 – 3:30 pm
SEH, 2000B
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED: CS Colloquium: “End-to-end Verifiable E-voting”
Speaker: Dr. Bimal Roy, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata
Monday, September 23
3:00 – 4:30 pm
SEH, B1220
EEMI: Department of Energy Clean Energy Talk
Tuesday, September 24
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
SEH, Lehman Auditorium
Register
GW’s Environmental and Energy Management Institute (EEMI) is sponsoring a Department of Energy Clean Energy Talk. These “talks” feature experts designing advanced technology, advocating for a clean energy future, and changing the way we think about energy systems. Lunch will be provided. Participation is free, and registration is encouraged. Visit our registration page to learn more about the speakers.
GW AIAA & SSPI Event
Speaker: Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium Communications, Inc.
Wednesday, September 25
5:30 – 8:30 pm
SEH, Lehman Auditorium
RSVP
GW’s chapter of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) are hosting Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium Communications, Inc., here on campus. Students will have the chance to network with professionals in the satellite and space industry and learn from Mr. Desch, who will share his experience of running a large satellite constellation company and the steps taken to develop the Iridium Next network. This event is open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.
ECE Seminar: “One- and Two-Level Equilibrium Models in Energy”
Speaker: Dr. Steven Gabriel, University of Maryland
Friday, September 27
11:00 am
Funger Hall, Room 420
This is a joint seminar with the Department of Decision Sciences (School of Business).
SEH WoW Talk
Wednesday, October 2
4:00 – 5:00 pm
SEH, B1220
All are invited to the SEH WoW TALK (What's our Work) Seminar Series. These short talks (15 minutes each) are designed to introduce faculty and students to current and exciting research projects undertaken in labs in the SEH; to initiate discussion, collaborate, and share expertise; and to promote research performed in the SEH and at GW. Presenters for the October 2 talk include: Aylin Caliskan (CS): “Human-like Bias in Machine Intelligence;” Stephen Hsu (MAE): “Surface Engineering: Multiscale, Multifunctional Surfaces;” and Francys Subiaul (Anthropology): “Where Do Good Ideas Come From?”
Save the Date: SEAS Student R&D Showcase
Friday, October 25
9:00 am – 6:00 pm
SEH, First Floor and B1 Level
Apply
SEAS has moved its annual Student R&D Showcase from February to October. Please visit the SEAS Student R&D Showcase web page to find deadlines and the event schedule, prize information, and AccelerateGW I-Corps Site Program grants information. Showcase participants can nominate themselves for an AccelerateGW I-Corps Grant on the R&D Showcase Application site.
GW Innovation Center Workshop: “Design Think Your Project”
Workshop Lead: Dr. Erica Wortham, Co-director, GW Innovation Center
Tuesday, November 5
6:00 – 7:30 pm
GWIC, Tompkins Hall M06
Design Think Your Project covers the basics of human centered design, a collaborative problem solving method that prioritizes people’s lived experiences. Bringing users into the discovery phase and design of your project fosters more innovative solutions. Starting with understandings gathered through empathy, the workshop introduces hands-on techniques, such as rapid prototyping, and emphasizes how to creatively reframe problems.
Human Resources News
In this month's HR Corner, SEAS HR Manager Marion Flythe-Inman welcomes GW's new vice president and chief people officer Dana Bradley, and she shares new information on:
- historical sick time data collection,
- SkillSurvey Reference Checks, and
- new job opportunities at SEAS.
The HR Corner is a new web page for SEAS staff that contains HR-related news, information, and events. Marion encourages staff to visit the page to find information on GW's new time off and leave guide, events and trainings, SEAS employment opportunities, and much more.
Entrepreneurship News & Events
ANA Avatar XPrize: The $10 million ANA Avatar XPRIZE is a four-year global competition focused on the development of an Avatar System that will transport a human’s sense, actions, and presence to a remote location in real time, leading to a more connected world. Avatars may have the potential to take on many different forms and be used in numerous scenarios, such as providing care, assisting with disaster relief, or providing multipurpose utility. The winning team will integrate multiple emerging technologies to develop a physical, non-autonomous Avatar System with which an operator can see, hear, and interact within a remote environment in a manner that feels as if they are truly there.
Register
Make-A-Thing Open Studio @ GW Innovation Center
Fridays throughout the semester
1:00 – 6:00 pm
Tompkins Hall, M06
The studio is open to the GW community. Please email the GW Innovation Center if you are interested in participating in the studio.
SEED SPOT Bootcamp
Saturday, September 28
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Gelman Library, Rooms 301-302
Registration link not yet available
This one-day Launch Camp provides entrepreneurs and individuals who are considering starting a venture a safe space to explore and launch their idea. Throughout the program, you will have access to mentors, content experts, SEED SPOT’s curriculum, and a network of supporters.
External Events
Google: Beyond Software Engineering
Wednesday, September 25
5:00 – 7:30 pm
SEH, B1270
RSVP
Are you interested in working at Google but don't have a computer science degree (or don't plan on getting one)? Come hear about all of the opportunities Google has for engineering majors outside of software engineering. This event is open to members of NSBE, SHPE, SWE, and WiCS. More information
Google One-on-One Resume Review
Thursday, September 26
1:00 – 4:00 pm
SEH, 2000
RSVP
Learn tips on updating your resume, preparing for technical interviews, and communicating effectively. All students are welcome. More information
Intro to Google+ and Interview Workshop
Thursday, September 26
5:00 – 7:30 pm
SEH, B1220
RSVP
Join us to learn more about Google culture and tips on preparing for technical interviews. All computer science and tech majors are welcome. More information
OVPR Training: Responsible Conduct of Research Workshop: “PRIM&R Webinar Screening: Compassion in Science: The Benefits of Caring and the IACUC's Role”
Thursday, September 26
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Marvin Center, Room 311
RSVP
Panel Discussion: “Science Unscripted: Origins of the Internet”
Thursday, October 17
5:00 – 7:00 pm (Doors open at 5:00; panel begins at 5:30; reception follows at 7:00)
MPA Building, Jack Morton Auditorium
RSVP
Join us for an evening of conversation with the architects of the Internet, Vint Cerf, Radia Perlman, and Steve Crocker. This event is hosted by the National Science and Technology Medals Foundation and is open to the general public. Dr. Shelly Heller (CS) will moderate the discussion. More information