OU Engineering

The Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma concluded its annual Summer Bridge Program on Aug. 4. The four-week on-campus initiative, designed for incoming freshman students with an interest in engineering, has seen a record-breaking number of participants this year. The program helps prepare students for the academic rigors of engineering coursework. It offers course credit, team-building exercises and developmental seminars. Students take classes such as calculus and Introduction to engineering. They also participate in a team-based engineering design project, providing them with hands-on experience and a glimpse into their first semester of college. “We are incredibly proud of all the participants and their achievements at Summer Bridge,” said Brandon Abbott, the program’s director. “This program not only provides academic preparation but also fosters a sense of community and engineering identity. We look forward to continuing to support and empower future engi...

Eight students hailing from the Gallogly College of Engineering have been chosen as recipients of the summer 2023 Engineering Dissertation Award. The $5,000 award, designed to foster excellence among doctoral students, supports scholars in the final stages of their Ph.D. studies. The awards committee, led by associate dean for research Zahed Siddique, Ph.D., underscores the award’s significance for scholars near their graduation. Initiated in 2018, the Engineering Dissertation Award is funded by the Thomas Ira Brown Jr. Endowed Scholarship. Remembering Brown’s pioneering work in electronic control of industrial gas turbines, this award perpetuates his legacy. Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1950 from OU. The summer 2023 awardees are: Chris Billings, School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Recommended by Yingtao Liu, Ph.D. Title: “Additive Manufacturing And Synthesis Of Advanced Antibacterial And Sensing Photocurable Polymer Nanocomposites” Abstract...

In recognition of their contributions to the field, two retired professors from the Gallogly College of Engineering have made their way onto the cover of Journal of Surfactants. The featured professors are Jeff Harwell, who served in the School of Sustainable Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, and Dave Sabatini, who previously served as faculty in the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science. Journal of Surfactants, known for its focus on surface and interfacial phenomena, highlighted the work and impact of the two educators in Volume 26 Issue 3, titled “Special Issue: A Celebrations of Dr. Jeffrey Harwell and Dr. David Sabatini: Leaders, Researchers and Teachers in Applicated Surfactant Formulations.” The special issue was spearheaded by OU Ph.D. alumni Edgar Acosta, now at the University of Toronto, and Javen Weston, at Tulsa University. The recognition comes in the wake of several faculty members from OU Engineering retiring during 2022-2023. The roster of...

Two robotics teams representing the Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma showcased their expertise this summer securing victories at two competitions: the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition and the University Rover Challenge. Sooner Competitive Robotics   clinched both first place overall and first place in their specific category, AutoNav, at the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition held at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, from June 2-5. The team's performance marks their return to the top spot after securing first place in 2021 and finishing second in 2022. The competition witnessed participation from 29 universities across the United States, Canada, India and Japan.  Braden White, a senior in computer engineering from Frisco, Texas, took on the role of team captain, while Jorge Exinia, an alum of OU’s computer engineering program, held the position of president for Sooner Competitive Robotics .  Sooner Competitive Robotics' achi...

Students from the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma secured a second-place finish in the 2023 Coulter College Program presented by the Biomedical Engineering Society and Medtronic on Aug. 3-6 in Minneapolis. The program focuses on empowering young engineers to bridge the gap between cutting-edge biomedical technologies and real-world clinical needs, says Rebecca Scott, Ph.D., an assistant professor who serves as the group’s adviser. Out of a pool of competitive entries, the OU team emerged as one of the standout performers in the 2023 competition receiving the “Best User Insights Award.” For the challenge, they undertook the task of developing a solution to assist clinicians in identifying suitable candidates for pain stimulators, with a broader focus on alleviating chronic pain.  “We are immensely proud of our students and their remarkable achievement,” Scott said. “The recognition underscores OU Engineering’s commitment to preparing student...