Dean Khattab joined the members of the College of Engineering’s Dean's Student Advisory Council (DSAC) for breakfast
Electrical engineering assistant professor leads a team on an NSF project to support high-achieving students pursuing energy related degrees
Thu, 06/03/2021 - 1:21pm
Dr. Farzad Ferdowsi, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant under the Affirmative Scientific Support for Scholars in Energy Technologies (ASSSET) Program in the amount of $649,825.
This project will contribute to the national need for well-educated engineers by supporting the retention and graduation of high-achieving students pursuing energy-related degrees in the College of Engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Over its five-year duration, this project will fund scholarships to about 40 unique, full-time students who are pursuing bachelor's degrees in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, petroleum engineering, or industrial technology. The Scholars will be provided with effective support activities including high-quality faculty mentoring, undergraduate research experiences, service learning opportunities, connections to local industries, guidance on graduate school preparation and career development, and participation in targeted workshops and seminars.
In addition, the project has the potential to increase understanding about the roles of mentoring and individual development plans in supporting STEM degree attainment and to broaden student participation and success in STEM fields.
The overall goal of this project is to increase STEM degree completion of high-achieving undergraduates with demonstrated financial need. The specifically focuses on creating a sustainable and adaptive pathway that will provide students with the necessary engineering skills and solutions-based approaches needed by future employers in energy technology fields.
Other members of the project team include Co-PI’s Dr. Afef Fekih, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dr. GH. Massiha, Professor of Industrial Technology, Heather Stone, Assistant Professor of the College of Education, and Dr. Mehdi Mokhtari, Assistant Professor of Petroleum Engineering as well as Dr. Terrence Chambers, Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Valanne MacGyvers, Assistant Professor of the College of Liberal Arts, Department of Psychology will serve as an external evaluator.
Collaborators include Dr. Ahmed Khattab, Dean and Dr. Burke Huner, Associate Dean both for the College of Engineering, Dr. Mark Zappi, Executive Director for the Energy Institute of Louisiana, Jami Rush, Associate Director for The Learning Center, Lowell Duhon, Director of the Lafayette Utilities System, Ollie Normand, Senior Manager R&D for Sasol, Dr. Rafael Hernandez, Department Head for Chemical Engineering and Interim Department Head for Petroleum Engineering, Dr. Magdy Bayoumi, Department Head for Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dr. Shelton Houston, Department Head for Industrial Technology, and Dr. Alan Barhorst, Department Head for Mechanical Engineering.
Contact assset@louisiana.edu to apply or for more information.
