Materials Science and Engineering 2020 Student Award Winners
Undergraduate Student Awards
Hugo Otto Wolf Memorial Prize: Jacob G. Faber-Rico and Lauren J. Hoang
The Hugo Otto Wolf Memorial Prize, founded by Otto C. Wolf in memory of his son, is awarded to that member of the senior class in each department of the School of Engineering and Applied Science who, during the senior year, by the thoroughness and originality of his or her work, meets with the greatest approval of the professors in charge.
R. M. Brick Award: Joel M. Chacko and Robert M. Brosnan
The R. M. Brick Award is named for the first chairman of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and is awarded to the graduating senior who has demonstrated, through a combination of academic performance, effort, and personal qualities, that he or she will be a credit to the Department, the School, and the University.
Penn Engineering Exceptional Service Award: Kevin J. Liu and Alexander E. Proschel
This special award is given by the faculty of the School of Engineering and Applied Science to recognize and honor outstanding students for their service to the University.
Wolf-Hallac Award: Nidhi Kapate
The Wolf-Hallac Award was established in October 2000 to be awarded to the best graduating female senior from Penn Engineering who is seen as a role model, has achieved a high GPA (top 10%) of class and who has demonstrated a commitment to school and or community.
Thouron Award: Zachary Whitlock
Established in 1960 and supported with gifts by the late John Thouron and his wife, Esther du Pont Thouron, the Thouron Award is a graduate exchange program between Penn and U.K. universities that aims to improve understanding and relations between the two countries. Each scholarship winner receives tuition for as long as two years, as well as travel and living stipends, to earn a graduate degree there.
William R. Graham Materials Science and Engineering Senior Design Award for Design Iteration
Team Food2Fuel
Garrett Auer, Priya Bhirgoo, Zoeb Mohammedshah, Jiyeux Seok
William R. Graham Materials Science and Engineering Senior Design Award for Ecocsystem Impact
Team Cosmetric
Emma Buerger, Henry Garant, Hillary Miller
William R. Graham Materials Science and Engineering Senior Design Award for Experimental Design
Team ConsciousComposites
Eli Newberger, Alexander Proschel, Zachary Whitlock
William R. Graham Materials Science and Engineering Senior Design Award for Financial Excellence
Team Supercharged
Cabir Kansupada, Veer Sobti
William R. Graham Materials Science and Engineering Senior Design Award for Societal Impact
Team Dippin’ Dots
Joel Chacko, Kevin Liu, Zachary Varley, Duncan Zavanelli
William R. Graham Materials Science and Engineering Senior Design Award for Startup Potential
Team MagnetECH
Raj Bhuva, Huiyuan Chen, Richard Ling, Derek Nong, Andrew Nyholm
William R. Graham Materials Science and Engineering Senior Design Award for Technical Application
Team NanoCure
Robert Brosnan, Lauren Hoang, Nidhi Kapate
William R. Graham Materials Science and Engineering Senior Design Award for Technical Communication
Team AC/DCrease
Blake Arevalos, Jacob Faber-Rico, Makala Faniel, Richard Whitaker
Master’s Awards
MSE Master’s Students took home a big share of 2020 Penn Engineering Master’s Student Awards, awarded annually for exceptional performance in academics and research. Congratulations to our award winners!
Academic Excellence Awardees: Joel Chacko and Yijun Tong
Academic Research Awardees: Alex Grun, Kang He, Tianfan Jin, Haihuan Wang and Yuwei Zhang
PhD Awards
Nadia Krook is the recipient of the 2020 Sidney J. Stein Prize. This prize is awarded annually to a graduate student for superior achievement in the field of new or unique materials or applications for materials in electronics. This prize serves to acknowledge achievement and to encourage continued interest in this important field of engineering research.
Tim Lee is the recipient of the 2020 Geoffrey Belton Graduate Fellowship Award. The Geoffrey Belton Graduate Fellowship Award is given to an MSE PhD student in their 3rd year of study who has made superior and significant contributions to their field of PhD study. This award is named in honor of a former member of the MSE faculty, Dr. Geoffrey Belton. Dr. Belton made many seminal contributions to the thermodynamics and kinetics of materials and throughout his career demonstrated a strong and sincere commitment to mentoring young scientists and engineers in the field of Materials Science & Engineering.