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Stephany Santos, named to the newly established Vergnano Endowed Chair for Inclusion, sees her role as helping students build successful engineering futures, no matter the challenges
Stephany Santos, the new Vergnano Endowed Chair for Inclusion at UConn’s College of Engineering, feels like she’s been preparing for this role since she set foot on UConn’s campus in 2008, as an undergraduate preparing to study mechanical engineering.
Prior to her first summer at UConn, she was a participant in the BRIDGE program, which is a transitionary preparation program designed to support the success of incoming first-year students that are underrepresented in engineering.
The BRIDGE program, then run out of the Engineering Diversity Program led by Kevin McLaughlin, became a hallmark of her identity and purpose as an engineering student and leader at UConn, says Santos ’12 (ENG) ’20 Ph.D. She volunteered for every program offered by the Engineering Diversity Program, from Multiply Your Options, a program designed to inspire 8th-grade girls to think about STEM, to the Northeast Regional Science Bowl, the largest regional competition in the country for high school students competing quiz-bowl-style in STEM questions.
During this period Santos also helped found UConn’s student organization Engineering Ambassadors. This is an organization that supports K-12 teachers and education systems by broadening understanding and access to engineering, and by exploring how engineers can change the world for good. These programs, Santos explains, are foundational in creating confidence academically, connections psychosocially and inspiration professionally.
Professor Jiong Tang, a distinguished figure in the field of mechanical engineering, has recently been honored with the prestigious ASME Myklestad Award in 2024. This award, established by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to vibration engineering, particularly in areas related to analytical methods, experimental approaches, and practical applications in mechanical and aerospace systems. Prof. Tang’s work exemplifies the high standards of innovation, rigor, and impact that the Myklestad Award celebrates, showcasing his commitment to advancing the field of vibration engineering through both fundamental research and practical advancements.
Prof. David Pierce has been elected as a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), one of the highest honors awarded by the organization. This prestigious recognition celebrates Dr. Pierce’s significant contributions to the field of mechanical engineering, acknowledging years of dedicated research, innovative teaching, and impactful advancements within the discipline. As a Fellow, Prof. Pierce joins an elite group of professionals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements and leadership in mechanical engineering, further enhancing the visibility and impact of their work on a global scale.
Through millions in coveted grants, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are recognizing how impactful Thanh Nguyen’s research is to the field of biomedical engineering.