Graduate Engineering Research Scholars

The College of Engineering's Graduate Engineering Research Scholars (GERS) is a unique fellowship program designed to offer students much more than monetary support. Through GERS, students become members of a supportive community of UW-Madison engineering graduate students, faculty and staff.

BENEFITS

Benefits to GERS scholars include, but are not limited to:

• Monthly stipend
• Comprehensive health insurance, tuition and fees
• Professional development activities and programs for new and continuing students.
• Annual research presentations (GERS Symposium for sharing research experiences).
• Opportunities to attend discipline-specific national and international conferences and seminars.
• Opportunities to explore and share the university and the Madison community.

The GERS Committee and the College of Engineering strive to give graduate students every opportunity to challenge the boundaries of the familiar to reach new heights in the exploration of both personal and professional goals.

ELIGIBILITY

Students must be U.S. citizens. The GERS Committee and the College of Engineering in partnership with the UW Graduate School apply the same eligibility criteria as the campus-wide AOF fellowship. Specific eligibility information can be for this fellowship can be found at: http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/education/diversity/funding.html.

GERS INFORMATION REQUEST FORM

Are you interested in the Graduate Engineering Research Scholars program? Please fill out this short form. Note: Be sure to choose from the list of degree programs that are available.

In compliance with federal and state law and with university policy, UW-Madison does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, handicap, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or veteran's status with regard to the treatment of students in the educational programs and activities which it operates.

Inquiries concerning this policy should be directed the Equity & Diversity Resource Center, 175 Bascom Hall.

TO APPLY TO THE UW-MADISON GRADUATE SCHOOL

The University of Wisconsin Madison encourages on-line applications. Application information can be found at the Why UW-Madison? website.

GUIDE TO RENTING APARTMENTS AT UW-MADISON

We have compiled helpful information and suggestions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For further information about the GERS program, please contact:

Douglass Henderson, Chair of GERS Committee and Professor of Engineering Physics

or

Kelly Burton, Graduate Student Service Coordinator

2107 Mechanical Engineering Building
1513 University
Madison, WI 53706

Tel: 608/263-4583
E-mail: gers@engr.wisc.edu

MEET THE SCHOLARS

2004-2005 GERS Scholars

MANUEL ALVAREZ
Email: alvarez_hidalgo@yahoo.com
SURE-REU Participant, 2002
I was born and raised in the island of Puerto Rico. I completed my undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez and graduated in 2003. There, I did research with Dr. Colucci related to Biodiesel and reforming reactions to produce hydrogen for fuel cells. I worked during a summer at Madison under the supervision of Dr. Dumesic and decided to continue my graduate studies at UW-Madison in Materials Science and Engineering. I enjoy watching and playing almost any sport or extreme sport but I can only play basketball and baseball well. I hope to continue growing as a person (knowledge and spirit) and learning the different cultures that surround me at UW-Madison.

ANDREA ASHWOOD
I was born in Carthage, MS but grew up mostly in Milwaukee, WI. I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison in my undergrad where I received a BS in Mechanical Engineering in May 2005. I did research in the multiphase flow visualization and analysis lab with Professor Tim Shedd the summer before my fifth year where I studied enhanced surfaces. It was in that lab that I began to think about graduate school. I am still working under the tutelage of Professor Tim Shedd and also working with Professor Greg Nellis. Currently my research is in the use of binary and multi-component mixtures for high heat flux applications. I was a LEED scholar in my undergraduate career here and that community was vital in my success as an undergrad. I am very excited to join the GERS family and look forward to becoming part of a new community of scholars.

ALEXANDER BLAKE
Email: ablake@wisc.edu
SURE-REU Participant, 2003
I am originally from Fayetteville, NC. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May of 2004 with a BS in Biomedical Engineering. After taking a biomaterials class with one of my professors he got me interested in doing research with his company outside the classroom. This got me initially interested in doing research in bioinstrumentation and biomaterials. Before graduating undergrad I grew interested in pursuing a higher degree in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Bioinstrumentation. I am now doing research under the advisement of Dr. Justin Williams with a focus on microfluidic cell environment development. The GERS program has the framework of my support since I have been here both financially and academically. Without GERS I would not be able to pursue my PhD very easily and have such great people to give advice and help along the way. I have a community of fellow graduate students and faculty to help me along each step of the way to graduation.

YAKIRA BRADEN
I was born and raised in Chicago, IL and I am the oldest of five children.In May 2005, I graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering with a B.S.in Electrical Engineering. For the past four years, I have interned at Hamilton Sundstrand, a supplier of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products, located in Rockford, IL. While at MSOE, I became interested in Control Systems and that interest has brought me to UW-Madison. I plan to obtain a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering while at University of Wisconsin. The GERS program has welcomed me with open arms and provided the financial support that has made it possible for me to pursue my academic goals. I am looking forward to all the opportunities that this influential program has to offer. My hobbies consist of playing basketball,shopping, and watching movies. I used to enjoy traveling but at these gas prices, I have decided to abandon that hobby. (SMILE!!)

DANIEL CHEVEREZ
Email: cheverez@wisc.edu
I was born and raised on Bayamón, Puerto Rico. I completed a B.S. and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez in 1994 and 1997 respectively. I am convinced excellent research and development programs supported by strong educational systems are essential components in the growth and development of any nation. Since the academic world provides opportunities for research and development as well as teaching, I had always been interested in becoming a faculty member. With this goal in mind, I pursued my Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Then, in 1996 my dreams were fulfilled when my career as a faculty member of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) at Bayamón got started. Even though I consider myself to have been quite successful, I recognize that the training and experience I could get from pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering will greatly enhance my capabilities to contribute to research and educational efforts. With this new goal in mind, I am currently pursuing a PhD in Electrical Engineering under the guidance of Dr. Robert Lorenz. In my spare time, I enjoy to do aerobics at the gym, going to restaurants, and getting to know more about Madison. I also enjoy meeting other people and learning more about other cultures. Thanks to GERS I will have the opportunity to complete my academic career in this prestigious university as part of the WEMPEC (Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium) group.

JARED COLLINS
Email: jaredcollins@wisc.edu
SURE-REU Participant, 2003
I am originally from Richmond, CA. I began my collegiate journey at Contra Costa College (CCC) in San Pablo, CA. From CCC I transferred to San Jose State University in San Jose, CA, where I received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and minors in Mathematics and Physics in December of 2003. During the summer of 2003 I conducted research at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. I worked in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department under the guidance of Professor Parameswaran Ramanathan. It was during this time that I became interested in Biomedical Engineering (BME). In January 2004 I began pursuing a Ph.D. in BME here at UW-Madison. My advisor is Professor Ray Vanderby and I look forward to choosing a research project in the very near future. I really enjoy being a part of the GERS community, where honesty is valued and everyone's opinions are respected. GERS is composed of a very diverse group of young men and women that work hard and play hard. I look forward to helping bring the group closer together by exploring and celebrating the unique backgrounds and experiences of each member. In my free time I like to play basketball, football, exercise, read, and sleep. Also, I worship every Sabbath at the Madison East Seventh-day Adventist Church.

JAVIER CRUZ
Email: cruz@wisc.edu
Born and lived all my life in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. I finished my undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Campus then moved to Madison in fall 2004 to pursue graduate studies in UW. In PR I had a very organized agenda consisting of studying, research and going to the beach. Adapting to the difference in life style and weather was hard but possible. In 2002, I did a summer research at Purdue University where I really got a feeling for graduate studies and how it would be like. After that summer, I was decided in continuing with graduate studies. I was able to visit the UW campus, which helped me in the big decision of which university would I go to. I joined the Material Science program mainly because it provides an interdisciplinary education in a variety of important fields of study. Today, my research focuses on reaction kinetics of unsaturated polyester resins. The GERS program provides incredible help and is a source of guidance throughout graduate studies. After a year, I feel very comfortable, and I am enjoying all the opportunities of being in graduate school. In my free time I kiteboard in the lakes, help as a kiteboard instructor and when winter comes enjoy great snowboarding and snowkiting sessions.

Shakti Davis (Large image)

SHAKTI DAVIS
Email: skdavis@cae.wisc.edu
OPPS Participant, 1997
I received a BS in Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State University in 1999. Since then I have been pursuing a PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. My research interests include biomedical applications of signal processing and I have been working with my advisors, Professors Barry Van Veen and Susan Hagness, on microwave breast cancer detection and classification. As a GERS fellow, I have had the benefit of emotional support and encouragement from my peers in addition to the financial support of the fellowship. With the encouragement and support of the program, I completed my GERS MSEE in May 2002 and expect to complete my PhD in EE in December 2005. In my spare time I enjoy kayaking and playing ice hockey.

Widalys De Soto (Large image)

WIDALYS DE SOTO
Email: wldesoto@wisc.edu
OPPS Participant, 2002
I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As an undergrad, I attended the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez and obtained a BS in Mechanical Engineering in May 2003. I am now pursuing an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on solar energy under the supervision of Dr. Klein and Dr. Beckman. I will be working with photovoltaic systems (PV) and will help develop a means to predict the behavior of solar cells and modules at different temperatures, locations on Earth, solar irradiance, temperature, etc. By doing this, it will be possible to know beforehand how much power, voltage, and current can be produced, using the sun as our power source. I consider this to be an extremely interesting topic, considering the importance of finding a renewable energy source and its lasting effect on future generations. The University of Wisconsin-Madison has offered me a whole new world of opportunities and the GERS program has helped me get here, giving me not only the financial help, but also the encouragement and support that we all need during moments of transition, such as this, especially when we are leaving our families behind for the first time.

Kamisha Hamilton (Large image)

KAMISHA HAMILTON ESCOTO
Email: kjhamilton@students.wisc.edu
I am originally from Houston, Texas. I completed my BS in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University in 1997. Following this degree, I worked as a Pressure Vessel Engineer at Fluor Corporation, an international engineering design and construction firm servicing the petrochemical industry. My work experiences, although valuable, prompted me to return to graduate school to pursue a different field of study as well as an entirely new industry. I completed my MS in Industrial Engineering (IE)-Health Systems in May 2002 and am now pursuing a PhD. My research focuses on the design of a statewide Medical Error Reporting System. This system will be a user-based design building upon input from physician and nurses. Though graduate school keeps me very busy, in my spare time I enjoy reading, spending time with family/friends, traveling, and live music.

Elizabeth Felton (Large image)

ELIZABETH FELTON
Email: felton@cae.wisc.edu
I am originally from Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University in 1998 with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduation I worked for 2 years at EDS, an information technology company in Janesville, WI. After the much needed break from school, I decided to go further in engineering and change my focus from chemical to biomedical engineering. I have been involved with GERS since the fall of 2000 and received my Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering from UW-Madison in May of 2002 under the advisement of Professor Robert Radwin. During my Master's work I decided to pursue the combined MD/PhD program, which I started in June 2002. I completed the first two years of medical school in summer 2004 and am now back in grad school working on my PhD in BME. When I finish my PhD I will return to medical school for two years of clinical rotations at hospitals and clinics all around Wisconsin. My main research interest is Neural Engineering, specifically Brain-Computer Interfaces to help people with severe motor disabilities enhance or regain function and independence. My research advisors are Robert Radwin, Justin Williams, and P. Charles Garell. In my free time I enjoy traveling, gardening, spending time with friends, going to movies, swimming, and biking.

LUIS LOPEZ GARCIA
When I was young I enjoyed playing with Legos. Somehow this prompted me to study Mechanical Engineering. I got my bachelors at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus (CAAM) in May 2005. During my undergraduate career I was unimpressed with the shallowness of the curriculum and that is why I began participating in undergraduate research. My first experience was with the UW Madison SURE Program in 2003. My experience in the SURE program has had a big influence on my academic decisions since then. As you have noticed, I'm back here again, a member of the GERS program and looking foward to exploiting the new opportunities and experiences I am faced with.

PHILIP GARCIA
Philip Carlos Garcia was born on April 12th 1982 at Yokota Air Force Base in Japan. He lived most of his life in Florida until he moved to attend college at Lehigh University in the fall of 2000. He graduated from Lehigh University with a Bachelors of Science in the spring of 2004. After graduating he completed his Masters of Science in computer engineering studying under Dr. Henry Korth at Lehigh University. In his research their he focused on issues facing database algorithms running on modern multi-threaded computer architectures. He enrolled in the graduate program at the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 2005 where he is pursuing his PhD in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is currently working under Dr. Katherine Compton and is researching reconfigurable computing hardware.

ANTONIO HERNÁNDEZ
Email: ahernand@cae.wisc.ed
OPPS Participant, 2002
I am a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering with research interests in Biomechanics and Robotics. I was born and raised in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. At age 12, I participated in a Summer Program sponsored by the University of Puerto Rico that forever changed my life. That program opened my eyes to engineering and how its methods could be used to enhance the human condition. I dreamed of a day when I would use engineering to improve human health! Since, I studied mechanical engineering at U.S. institutions (B.S.M.E. from M.I.T. in 1991, M.S.M.E. from U.C. Berkeley in 1993), worked as an engineer in industry (mostly with Hewlett-Packard Company but also with 3M, Baxter Healthcare, and Abbot Laboratories), and most recently, taught undergraduate-level courses in mechanical engineering at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. I am now returning to the root of my interests in engineering with the goal of making significant contributions to the human health field! My Ph.D. advisor is professor Darryl Thelen in the Mechanical Engineering department. I am thankful to GERS and to the people who run this program for their commitment to students who have demonstrated talent and dedication to their goals. Through the GERS program, I enjoy a rich, diverse environment that further enhances my personal growth.

Eric Hill (Large image)

ERIC HILL
Email: elhill@wisc.edu
As an undergrad I attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where I graduated in May 2002 with a BS in Computer Engineering. I am currently pursing a MS in Electrical Engineering here at University of Wisconsin. My research focus is computer architecture. Outside of school, I enjoy running and watching movies.

ANDREW ISHAM
I graduated from the UW-Madison with a BS in mechanical engineering in 2002. I am currently working on a masters and PhD in industrial engineering. Working with Dave Gustafson, I am studying addiction treatment systems. We are developing ways to integrate the use of new medical and communications technologies into the system to improve outcomes. Outside of school and work, I play in a band and enjoy getting lost in the woods.

CHRISTOPHER JENKINS
Chris Jenkins, a native of Peoria, IL, is currently pursuing a M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializing in embedded system design. He received his B.S. degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He currently serves as the Region IV Telecommunications Chair for the National Society of Black Engineers. He enjoys comedy, weightlifting, seeking to become fluent in Spanish, and traveling the world. He also enjoys meeting new people

MARIANA KERSH
I was born in Guanajuato, Mexico and grew up in Texas. After receiving a BA in English at the University of Texas in 1999 I began working as a Human Resources Generalist, and two years later decided to make a career change and returned to school. I decided that I wanted to work in orthopaedics research and development. With this in mind I chose to study Mechanical Engineering at UW, and had the opportunity to work in the Bone and Joints Biomechanics Lab. This experience sealed my fate and has been a continuing source of encouragement for my personal and academic pursuits. I am excited at the possibilites that lie ahead as a graduate student, and am grateful for the support of my husband and the wonderful faculty and staff at UW.

CURTIS LANE
Email: clane@wisc.edu
OPPS Participant, 2002; SURE-REU Participant, 2003
My name is Curtis Lane and I am a native of Macon, GA, but now reside in the neighboring city of Warner Robins. I conducted my undergraduate studies at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina and earned a B.S. in Physics. I was inducted into the GERS family in the fall of 2004. I am currently pursuing a M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I was a participant in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE-REU) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison during the summer of 2003. I was introduced to this program as a 2002 Opportunities in Engineering Conference participant. Currently my research project involves spray cooling of electronic components under the guidance of Tim Shedd. I am academically aggressive, civically active, and personally motivated, and with the help from the Graduate Engineering Research Scholars Fellowship Program my success is undeniable. Also, to the youth who march onward and upward, always remember to eternally hold high the Light!

Maria Del Carmen Lopez (Large image)

MARIA DEL CARMEN LOPEZ-GARCIA
Email: mlopezgarcia@wisc.edu
OPPS Participant, 2001; SURE-REU Participant, 2002
Most of my life, I have lived in Puerto Rico. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico- Mayagüez in May 2003. Now I am here at the University of Wisconsin starting graduate school in Materials Science and Engineering, where I hope to spend the next five years of my life obtaining a doctoral degree. The GERS program has been very important to me because it gives me security of my funding and liberty of what I might want to research during my years in grad school. Also, through GERS I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of very admirable people that are in similar situations and serve as role models as well as companions.

Amaury Malave (Large image)

AMAURY MALAVE
Email: amalave@wisc.edu
I was born in Humacao, Puerto Rico on April 12, 1980. I graduated from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez with a mayor in mechanical engineering. I am currently working with Pat Farrell studying spray behavior of diesel fuel injectors, the project sponsor in General Motors. The GERS program is providing me with financial aid and also good counseling. My goals are to finish a Ph.D and go back to my beloved island and start a coffee plantation. My hobbies are music and almost every sport.

EDGAR MARTHIENS
Email: emarthiens@wisc.edu
I was born in Puerto Rico but raised everywhere else. I double majored (BS) in Industrial and Systems Control Engineering with minors in Life Sciences, Electrical Engineering and Pre-Med at the University of Florida in Gainesville (1992). My MS degrees are in Engineering Management (1998) and Healthcare Technologies Management (2002) from Marquette University. Currently, I am working toward a PhD degree in Industrial Engineering specializing in healthcare delivery systems. My research areas are long-term care and automated inventory control systems at nursing home and hospital settings. My professional experience consists of GE, Merck & CO., Warner-Lambert, Miller Brewing Company, Saint Peter Hospital, Arthur Andersen LLP and ICS. My avocations include weight lifting, literature, filmmaking, politics, sports and music.

RACHEL McKINSEY
Email: mckinsey@wisc.edu
Theodore Roosevelt once quoted, "A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad." Education is one of the most essential elements of life. Graduating from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a B.S. in Physics has taken a vital part in preparing me for what is to come. During my undergraduate career, I was told that I should not have to pay for my graduate education. At the time, I was a partial believer of that statement. However, programs like GERS makes this belief a reality for me and 17 other minorities here at UW. When I applied to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical Physics program, I was uncertain as to how I would fund my graduate education. God opened the door for me to receive the AOF/GERS Fellowship. I am extremely thankful that I received this fellowship since it provides me with the opportunity to focus on my course work 100%. Many students are not presented with the opportunity to obtain a full scholarship for attendance at a highly ranked research institution as well as have a community outside of their classes who can empathize with being a minority and being away from home. GERS has become my family away from home. Biweekly, we meet and discuss issues that will impact our lives and future careers.

CARMEN MENDEZ
Email: mendezcr@cae.wisc.edu
SURE-REU Participant, 1998
I am originally from Puerto Rico. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez in May 1999. I started working for a consulting firm in New Jersey right after graduation, and after two years I decided to pursue a graduate degree. I am currently working on a Masters and PhD in Industrial Engineering Human Factors. Under the advisement of Dr. Michael Smith, I am investigating safety implementations and employee productivity factors. In my spare time I enjoy reading, writing, and watching movies. The GERS program offers financial and academic support as well as the opportunity to network with other graduate students that are working towards the same goals as you are. It is a great opportunity.

OMAR DAVID NEGRETE
Email: negrete@wisc.edu
OPPS Participant, 2003
My name is Omar David Negrete and I am from Albuquerque, NM. I received my Bachelors in Electrical Engineering at the University of New Mexico. I choose to pursue engineering because it opens up opportunities to be apart of very exciting research that uses the most recent advancements in technology. My interests now are, Photonics and Biotechnology. Coming to UW was an excellent choice because of the vast number of multidisciplinary research groups that one can collaborate with. UW was also a great choice because of the support I get from GERS. GERS has been great for meeting people from all across the board in terms of research and for support in finding the right resources during your graduate education. My current goals are to work hard towards my Master's and then PhD in Electrical Engineering. My research will involve Optical Maskless Lithography of Oligonucleotides.

DANIEL ORTIZ
I was born and raised in Canovanas, Puerto Rico, a town in the outskirts of the Metropolitan Area. I obtained a Bachellors degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. There I worked with Prof. Oscar Perales in the Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt Ferrite nano-crystals. With this research I became a PREM (Partnership for Research and Education in Materials) student, which is funding, along with GERS, my Ph.D. in Materials Science. I am a barber, practice Karate Goju-Ryu, and I am interested in bonsai trees. I also surf in the beautiful waves of Puerto Rico (I'll be missing this very much). I like to help and give myself to others, like to party and go to concerts, play basketball and watch sports.

ANGELICA PEREZ
Email: perezandujar@wisc.edu
OPPS Participant, 2000
After pursuing my bachelor's degree in Theoretical Physics at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, I wanted to pursue a Ph.D. in an area of physics that provided me with the satisfaction of helping others. The application of physics to the benefit of humans is what brought me to UW-Madison. That is why I am currently working toward my Ph.D. in Medical Physics under the supervision of Dr. Paul DeLuca. GERS is a wonderful program, which not only offers funding and guidance, but also gives us the opportunity to interact with a great variety of people and share many wonderful experiences.

Yuri Ramirez (Large image)

YURI RAMIREZ
Email: yuriramirez@yahoo.com
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. In May 2000, I received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez. Under the advisement of Dr. David Nembhard, I am currently working on a PhD in Industrial Engineering with concentration in Operations Research/Decision Analysis in tools in manufacturing and service productivity improvement. I am using some statistical tools to develop a way to measure knowledge worker productivity. Once we have measurements we plan to work on improving the productivity of knowledge workers. The GERS program has been a good source of help both financially and emotionally. I am very close with other GERS fellows and we have a very good time together. GERS is like a family in Madison. Outside of the lab I love to play basketball and racquetball, although I would like to spend more time doing that.

PEDRO RESTO
My name is Pedro Javier Resto. I am from Puerto Rico. I did my undergraduate at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus in the Mechanical Engineering department. I am now in the Materials Science and Engineering PhD program. What I really like is combining Mechanical Engineering and the human body. I wanted to be in the BME program but couldn't, so now I am trying to do something in biomaterials. I want to do a minor in BME at least. I am starting out with undergrad classes such as biomechanics, hopefully in the future I'll take a tissue mechanics class and somewhere along the way figure out how to combine my MS&E courses in a way to reach my goals.

KARIEN RODRIGUEZ
I'm from a small town called Naranjito in the enchanting, tropical island of Puerto Rico. I received my Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering on December 2004 from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Campus. Some of my past professional experiences include: work as a COOP student with Merck & Co., doing research at UPR with Dr. J. Colucci, PE and participating in the SURE REU program at UW in the summer of 2004 with Dr. Wendy Crone, under direct supervision of Dr. Kenneth Lux. While participating in the summer program I learned about GERS and the opportunities and benefits it could offer me. These experiences helped me realize that I wanted to pursue graduated studies in the Engineering field... Currently, I'm beginning my graduate studies in the Biomedical Engineering Department under the supervision of Dr. Krystin Masters. My goal is to obtain a Doctorate Degree with a specialization in Biomaterials. I know that this new challenge will not be an easy one, but I'm sure that the GERS program will give me all the support I need to succeed and achieve my goals.

KATHERINE ROLDAN-PEREZ
Email: roldanperez@wisc.edu
OPPS Participant, 2003; SURE-REU Participant, 2002
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico in a town called Aguadilla. I graduated in May 2004 from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Currently, I am a graduate student in the Biomedical Engineering department under the supervision of Prof. Nimmi Ramanujam. My research area involves the use of non-invasive techniques (optical spectroscopy) to identify the presence of cancer cells, particularly for the detection of breast cancer. As a GERS fellow I have found a place where I can develop the knowledge, skills, and relationships necessary to succeed in the professional world.

MARIA ROSA
Email: mrosa@wisc.edu
OPPS Participant, 2003
I am originally from Puerto Rico. In December 2004, I complete a BS degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez Campus. Right after graduation, I started working as a Structural Engineer for a private firm in my island. Now I am starting a MS degree in Geotechnical Engineering under the guidance of Dr. Tuncer Edil and Dr. Craig Benson. I enjoy listening to music, watching movies, going shopping, spending time with friends, meeting other people and learning about different culture s. Being part of the GERS program is a great opportunity for me because it is providing me with financial and academic support and more important it is a good way to meet and share with other minority graduate students.

JOSE SANTIAGO
My name is Jose A. Santiago. I come from the warm island of Puerto Rico where I earned a BS degree in Chemical Engineering at University of Puerto Rico in 2004. There I had some valuable experiences in research areas of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering that were the main reasons to realize that graduate school was the next step in my professional development. Currently I'm pursuing a master's degree in Materials Science under the supervision of Paul Voyles. I'm working in a project related to the characterization of nanoparticles by the electron transmission microscopy. Being a part of GERS has been a very important opportunity to broad my horizons in my new life as a graduate student.

Michael Santiago Cintrón (Large image)

MICHAEL SANTIAGO CINTRÓN
Email: michaelsantiagocintron@yahoo.com
OPPS Participant, 2000; SURE-REU Participant, 2000,2001
I was born and raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. I recently graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus, where I received a B.S. in chemistry. I first visited the city of Madison in the summer of 2000. I had the opportunity of working with Dr. Art Ellis and Dr. Judith Burstyn; my summer experience was so positive that I decided to pursue a PhD in chemistry here.

STEPHANIE SCHMIDT
Email: snschmidt@wisc.edu
I am originally from a small town located in northeastern Wisconsin. I received my B.A. in Biology from Grinnell College (Grinnell, Iowa) in 2003. After graduating from Grinnell, I did research with Dr. Jake Vander Zanden at the UW - Center for Limnology for a summer before heading off to graduate school at Penn State. However, dissatisfied, I left Penn State after only a semester and returned to Madison in June of 2004 to begin work towards a Ph. D. in Limnology and Marine Science, once again, with Dr. Vander Zanden. My research interests include stable isotope ecology, freshwater ecology, invasive species, and food webs. My thesis project involves reconstructing the historical food web of the Great Lakes using stable isotope techniques. By examining how the food web has changed with each new wave of species invasion over the last century, we can gain insight into future ecosystem restoration efforts and management practices. When not immersed in my research, I enjoy playing competitive volleyball, spending time with family/friends, and spending quality time with the great outdoors. While my involvement with the GERS program has only just begun, I have already benefited from the resources made available to me (both financially and advisory). The best way to describe GERS is as follows: GERS doesn't just inform you of the resources and opportunities out there\205it BRINGS the resources and opportunities to your front door!

DARILIS SUAREZ
Email: dsuarez@wisc.edu
OPPS Participant, 2001
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I obtained a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. I am currently enrolled in the Materials Science Program having as a goal to obtain a PhD. My area of interest is in biomaterials/biomedical applications. Being a GERS and a NASA fellow has given me both a financial security and the freedom to choose my own research path.

JENNY TANG
I was born in Minneapolis, MN. My undergraduate degree is from University of Wisconsin-Madison in Industrial and Systems Engineering, obtained in May 2005. I am currently pursuing my masters in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a focus in supply chain management and manufacturing systems under Prof. Raj Veeramani. I am working to create a working simulation model of a distribution center that has adjustable inputs to reflect the impact of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology implementation. The model I'm creating can be used to further understand how RFID affects distribution center's operational efficiency and inventory accuracy. As a former Leaders in Engineering Excellence and Diversity (LEED) scholar at UW-Madison, I have learned to greatly appreciate the financial benefits, but more importantly the social support that scholarship programs offer. I am confident that being a GERS scholar will help me exceed even further in graduate school.

JAIZ WAHEED
OPPS Participant, 2004
I was born and raised in Chicago, IL. I received my Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia in May 2005. At UVa, my concentration was in transportation engineering and I conducted research on the effects of light rail transit on intersection delay. As an OPPS participant in October 2004, I became more determined to pursue a graduate degree. I am now pursuing my PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and my advisor is David A. Noyce. I look forward to conducting research on transportation design of highways and transit systems.

ANGLINIA WASHINGTON
Email: awashington@wisc.edu
OPPS Participant, 2003
I am originally from Selma, AL ("Selma Lord Selma"). I proudly received my BS in Mathematics and Computer Science at Alabama A&M University, May 2004. Currently I am pursuing my Master's in Biostatistics. I have participated in many summer research programs including the Summer Research Program in Biostatistics (SRPB) and the Summer Institute for Biostatistics Training (SIBs) here at UW Madison. As a first year graduate student I am looking forward to my involvement in the GERS community.

SEAN YOUNGER
Email: sjyounger@wisc.edu
I have lived in many places but my family has spent the most time in northern Virginia, so I call it home. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering at Columbia University in New York City in Spring 2003. I'm currently a first-year Master's student in mechanical engineering here at the University of Wisconsin. My research is conducted in the Engine Research Center under Professor Jaal Ghandhi. Academically, I'm interested in combustion and energy conversion as it relates to automotive internal combustion systems. My project involves the combination of spark-ignition (gas) and compression-ignition (diesel) characteristics into a single engine type, called a Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine, which benefits from the good aspects of both. After my Master's research and thesis are complete, I hope to be able to stay for my PhD after which I would like to continue in research as a professor of mechanical engineering. Outside of school, I enjoy music, film, food, dance, and driving. In addition to providing financial support, the GERS program has allowed me to meet a supportive group of students who have backgrounds, interests, and goals similar to my own. This has made my transition to graduate school both easier and more rewarding.

TERESA ZAYAS-CABAN
Email: tzayascaban@students.wisc.edu
SURE-REU Participant, 2000
I was born in Troy, NY, while my parents were pursuing graduate studies, and raised in Puerto Rico. I initially began my undergraduate work at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez and ultimately transferred to the University of Missouri-Columbia after spending a year there as an exchange student. I earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering in May 2001 from the University of Missouri-Columbia. I am currently a doctorate student in Industrial Engineering under the advisement of Dr. Patricia F. Brennan. My research falls in the areas of health systems and human factors. When I conclude my graduate studies, I intend to join academia as a faculty member and researcher. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, listening to music, dancing, and being with my friends and family.

GERS ALUMNI

HECTOR A. ACOSTA
I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I received a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico in 2000. I decided to pursue graduate studies in the U.S. and I received a GERS fellowship, which allowed me to move to Madison, Wisconsin. During my time in Madison, I worked under Professors Tuncer B. Edil and Craig Benson (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering) performing research related to soil stabilization using fly ash- a by product produced in electrical power plants during the burning of coal for generating electricity. After graduating with an MS Degree in 2002, I started working right away with an engineering firm in Florida. Recently, I moved back to my homeland in Puerto Rico and I'm working with another firm, GMTS Corp. (www.gmts-pr.com) doing mostly Geotechnical Engineering. The biggest advantage any person will get from getting a graduate degree is being able to obtain a better job in a particular area that you specialized in. Also, after two years of performing research you will become so knowledgeable that it will definitely help develop your confidence level in the working arena.

DANA L. BARTON
I am originally from Ann Arbor Michigan. I graduated from Eastern Michigan Univeristy, where I earned a B.S. in Biology & Earth Science along with a Minor in Chemistry. I took a year off and worked for a Limnology professor at the University of Michigan. From there I went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned an M.S. in Environmental Chemisty and Technology. While at UW, the GERS family helped me out tremendously. I moved back to Michigan after I graduated. I am currently working for Innovative Environmental Solutions, Inc. (Innovative). Innovative performs Phase I Environmental Site Assessement (ESA), Phase II ESA and Building Material Surveys. I am a Project Scientist in the Phase I ESA Group. I enjoy hanging out at home and playing with my six ferrets.

ESSEX BOND
I am originally from the great city of Chicago. I earned my B.S.E.E. degree at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and I earned my MSEE at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in August 2001. I am currently working on a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, where I am most interested in Digital Signal Processing applications. Under the advisement of Professors Barry Van Veen and Susan Hagness, I am involved in breast cancer research and the development of new methods for detecting, monitoring, and treating breast cancer at very early stages using radar array signal processing techniques. The GERS program has provided me with a chance to meet other minority engineering graduate students as well as providing me with monetary support.

KAREN BONNETTI
Hi! My name is Karen Bonnetti. In May of 1999, I graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), with the strong desire to go on to graduate school, I just was not quite sure where or how I was going to do it. As you can probably imagine, I first inquired about several possible opportunities for someone like myself. After carefully evaluating other graduate programs and opportunities, I came to realize that UW-Madison was the only place that offered the optimal package; an outstanding quality of education at a highly ranked research institution and an ideal environment I had in mind to help me succeed. This is how I became one of the first members of the GERS family and started my quest for a M.S. degree in the field of Pavement Design and Asphaltic Materials under the advisement of Dr. Hussain U. Bahia. Thanks to the support (economical and moral) of GERS I was able to fully enjoy the benefits of graduate school and make ! the most of this opportunity given to me. In August of 2001, I received my M.S. degree and relocated to California, where I joined the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) as a Transportation Engineer. Through the CalTrans' Rotation Program I've had the opportunity to gain experience in several areas of civil engineering directly related to my graduate studies; these include pavement design and materials, geometric highway design, and now presently I am performing duties of a Project Manager. My research experience and academic skills gave me the ability to apply state-of-the-art engineering principles in the development of new approaches for pavement design and for the efficient evaluation of civil engineering materials, which resulted in practical tools to optimize quality and performance of highways in the State of California. Through out the years I have learned that our own skills and effort only takes us so far in the road to success. To actually reach it, everyo! ne needs others who are willing to extend a helping hand. I am fortunate that the GERS family was there for me, as they gave me the means to do what I love the most by providing a great portion of my financial support and plenty of encouragement and emotional support. Thank you!

JERMAL CHANDLER
I was a charter member of the GERS program at UW-Madison. I received a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Clark Atlanta University in 1999. I received a Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering from UW-Madison in Fall 2002 while working in the Applied Superconductivity Center under the supervision of David Larbalestier. My thesis was on the Study of Irreversibility Field Of Post Annealed BSCCO-2223 Tapes. Currently, I am working on a Ph.D. at UW-Madison in Chemistry while concurrently working at the Forest Products Laboratory under the Scientist Recruitment Initiative. Like most people in GERS will agree, it allowed me to interact with others who shared similar experiences. Also, GERS allowed me the opportunity to share my research with a larger audience who did not have the understanding I did, thereby forcing me to learn how to explain things in a broader fashion.

SEAN CHAPPARO
I am originally from Bogotá, Colombia. I earned a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University in August 2000. I graduated from UW-Madison in August 2002 with an M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering. My graduate research project, under the advisement of Dr. Daniel Noguera, investigated a novel way of reducing the phosphorus content in biosolids produced from enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) reactors. I am currently working as an engineer at Malcolm Pirnie (an environmental consulting firm) in Detroit, Michigan, in their water resources division. I have worked on several projects related to both drinking water and wastewater treatment processes and plant design. I feel very lucky to have been a part of the GERS program. It is a great group that gave me the financial support necessary to complete my graduate studies and more importantly, gave me the opportunity to meet and interact with other graduate students who have similar backgrounds and interests as I do.

CLAUDIA COUTO
OPPS Participant, 1999
As an undergrad I attended the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez where I obtained a BS in Chemical Engineering. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering under the supervision of Dr. James A. Dumesic. My research project involves the design and development of microreactors through microfabrication techniques with the goal of achieving combinatorial catalysis and high throughput screening of catalysts. A graduate degree has opened my eyes to a world where different disciplines of science and engineering blend themselves in ways I couldn't imagine. I've come to the realization of what research is really about and of how much the human mind is capable of, especially when eager researchers join forces. GERS is kind of like that, except they intend to fulfill the professional and emotional support we need. It's an excellent program that has reached its heights through the hard work and dedication of those involved.

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RACHELLE DUVALL
OPPS Participant, 1998
I am originally from Albany, NY. I graduated from the University of Rochester in May 2000 with a BS in Chemical Engineering. Throughout undergrad, I became very interested in the environmental aspect of engineering, and decided to pursue graduate study in the field of Environmental Engineering directly after undergrad. I received my Masters Degree in Environmental Engineering in December 2002 and I am continuing on for a PhD in the same field under the advisement of Dr. James J. Schauer. My research focus is in air pollution control and I study the role of atmospheric aerosols in global climate change. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, running, yoga, and watching movies. The GERS program has provided me with both academic and financial support. In addition, I have had the opportunity to meet inspiring graduate students and faculty.

KALA FLEMING
I was born in St. John's Antigua, a small 108 square mile island in the Caribbean. I began my post high school, academic career at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, in 1995. As an undergraduate student in Chemistry, even though I enjoyed the field immensely, I yearned for a field of study that would be more "hands on" and result in a more practical use of my knowledge. That yearning led to an interest in Environmental Engineering. The interest was further encouraged after my experiences with Chemical Engineering research and an internship in the chemical industry. These experiences, while interesting, were not ultimately satisfying. As a result, I went on to pursue graduate studies in Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998. As a Master's student, my research looked at the effects of UV light in the formation of disinfection by-products in drinking water. I am currently continuing PhD research in the same department, focusing on nitrification and biostability in pilot-scale, chloraminated drinking water distribution systems. The community fostered by the GERS program is priceless.

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ROBERT GLADNEY
I was born in Birmingham, Alabama (the Magic City) and received my B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2003 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). I then completed my M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2005. During this time, my graduate advisor was Dr. Chris Rutland and my research focus was a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) project concerning turbulent flows. I conducted the research for this project at the Engine Research Center and it was a project that I am grateful that I had the opportunity to work with. I am currently an engineer in Systems and Reactor Engineering for Southern Nuclear (a subsidiary of Southern Company) at the Farley Nuclear Plant in Columbia, AL and I live in Dothan, AL. As a GERS Alumnus and former GERS student, I have always appreciated the opportunities that I have had to be involved with GERS as it enabled me to meet and work with other engineers who share similar goals and experiences while providing a support group that helped me to adjust to a new environment and graduate life. In addition to GERS, I have participated in the ASME, NSBE, and the SAE and am a member of Pi Tau Sigma and Omicron Delta Kappa. I have been actively involved in many other activities as well, including playing basketball, football, and working with church activities.

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MARIAM GONZÁLEZ
OPPS Participant, 1999
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I completed a B.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, and I am currently pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering under the guidance of Dr. Thomas F. Kuech. Presently, my studies focus on electronic defects in semiconductor materials. Semiconductors are used for optical and/or electronic purposes for example in wireless communication or dense-metropolitan optical-network systems. In my spare time, I enjoy playing volleyball, going to restaurants, and getting to know more about Madison. I also enjoy meeting other people, and learning more about other cultures and students living here. A great way to do these things is through the GERS Program. It has opened many doors for my success here at UW-Madison.

ANA CRISTINA HOLGUIN
SURE-REU Participant, 2000
I was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, but raised in Juarez, Mexico, the twin city of El Paso, Texas. I received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in May 2001 at the University of Texas-El Paso. I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Under the supervision of Dr. David Foster, I am working at the Engine Research Center on a project focused on determining the characteristics of injector tips that affect the emissions characteristics of diesel engines. During my spare time, I like to play the piano, dance, and learn other languages.

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TERRENCE HOOKER
I was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. I first came to Madison in 1997 and spent the next five years earning my Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. I am a second year Master's student and am working with Professor Jay Martin. My research is concerning design improvements on the interface between people with quadriplegia, and similar disabilities, with the wheelchairs and other control systems that they use. Outside from school, I enjoy playing music. I spent five years in the UW Jazz Big Band (trombone), and several semesters in other university ensembles. Currently, the only regular playing I do is on Sunday mornings at Fountain of Life Church, where I am a member of the music team. GERS is a great program that has provided me with a graduate school community, in addition to financial support.

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NANCY WANGECHI KARURI
I was born and raised in Kenya. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of New South Wales, Australia. I am currently pursuing a PhD degree under the guidance of Professors Paul Nealey (Chemical Engineering) and Chris Murphy (Veterinary Medicine). My project gives me a unique opportunity to work in the area of Nanotechnology. I am investigating cell behavior on nano-textured surfaces and in doing so integrating engineering and biological sciences. The final goal of the project is to use our findings in the design of better prosthetics. As a minority student the GERS program has helped me by providing a forum for education and discussion of the challenges I am likely to face as graduate student at UW.

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CRYSTAL LEACH
OPPS Participant, 2000; SURE-REU Participant, 2001
I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but spent a significant part of my life in Shreveport, Louisiana. I believe the saying goes, "Home is where the heart is." Since my family is my heart and since I have family in both Shreveport and Baltimore, I usually refer to both cities as home. I received my Bachelor's degree in physics from Dillard University. Dillard is a small, private, Historically Black University located in New Orleans, Louisiana. I am currently a first year graduate student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME). My BME background and research will primarily focus on vascular biology and vascular mechanics. I will be conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Naomi Chesler. I am studying early enzyme activation of porcine carotid arteries due to hypertension. The transition from physics to BME has been quite interesting and a little challenging. However, I am very grateful to the GERS program for providing an outstanding support system. Through GERS, I have been given the opportunity to network with various faculty and staff as well as interact with other grad students who have similar backgrounds and interests as myself.

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KENNARD LOVE
SURE-REU Participant, 2000
I was born in New Orleans and lived there for 15 years, but I currently live in Georgia. I completed my undergraduate work at Clark Atlanta University and received a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. I am currently working on a PhD in Computer Science. Outside of my graduate studies, I enjoy bowling and music. A lot of good that came out of my first year of graduate school is because of the people that I have met in the GERS program. My transition into graduate school has been much easier since I have met other students that understand some of my struggles in adjusting to a new setting.

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ZYLKIA MARTIN
I was born and raised in the warm island of Puerto Rico. In May 2003, I received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, being part of the biggest class of its history. During the summer before I came to Madison, I worked for the Department of Education of Puerto Rico as an Inspector Engineer for the rehabilitation of schools. This experience helped me to acquire some practical knowledge in my field. I am currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Transportation Engineering at UW-Madison, and I am working on the analysis of bicycle data for the City of Madison, under the supervision of Dr. David Noyce.

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RONKE OLABISI
If you can't tell by my name, I'm female. I am originally from New Jersey! I graduated from M.I.T., where I earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering along with a varsity jacket for fencing and many swords. From there I went to the University of Michigan and earned an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, and the captain's position in the Men's Saber Team of the Fencing club. (Fencing is slow to gender equity, and women's teams weren't around yet). I got more swords. I am now pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering under the advisement of Thomas Best and Ray Vanderby. My labs are the Spine Lab and the Biomechanics Lab in the Orthopedics Department in the UW Hospital, where I work on my research: muscle. I've found 3 places here to use my swords. Aside from feeding me and giving me much needed money, the GERS family has helped me find other things to do when I can't fence (Oh, and I like to swing dance).

MARLANN PATTERSON
I received my BS in Physics from the University of Florida - Gainesville. I am currently pursuing a PhD in the Materials Science Program under the supervision of Professor Amy E. Wendt. I study ion energy distributions in plasmas used in manufacturing processes. In particular, I am interested in substrate bias conditions that enable control of the ion energy distributions. Science has always been one of my loves. Additionally, I am a big fan of my family and two dogs. This is my first year in GERS, though one of my last as a graduate student. So far, I've really enjoyed getting to know people in the GERS community.

LUIS "FERNANDO" RECALDE
I was born in Paraguay, South America, and moved to Texas when I was young. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Computer Science. I am starting my graduate studies this year, working on an MS in Computer Science. Graduate school is definitely the right choice after the Bachelors, and Wisconsin is undoubtedly the right school to attend for advanced studies. The GERS program helps you meet people with similar backgrounds, so you feel more at home while away from home. They provide great support by facilitating financial procedures, but most importantly, they make sure you are taken care of and not left behind. They provide all the information and connections required to make the transition into graduate school a breeze, and they get results for you when you have a situation, without making you struggle through it. Thanks GERS!

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GABRIEL RODRÍGUEZ RIVERA
OPPS Participant, 2002
I completed a BS in Chemical Engineering at University of Puerto Rico- Mayagüez. I like to learn and also help others in their formation. For these reasons I decided to pursue a PhD in Chemical Engineering, become a researcher and maybe a professor. I decided to continue my career and come to UW-Madison for a couple of reasons: (1) it has a great graduate program and (2) there were options and different programs that could help my in my preparation. GERS is one of the programs that opened doors for me at the UW-Madison for graduate school. GERS also allows me to share with and get to know other people from different majors and backgrounds.

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LUIS RODRIGUEZ
I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, which is Mexico's second largest city. I lived there for eight years and then my family moved to California. My first day in the U.S, I remember feeling very scared not knowing what my future would be like in a foreign land. Late at night as I struggled to finish my English homework, I would have never imagined that one day I would be pursuing a doctoral degree in engineering. I received my Bachelor's degree from the University of California-San Diego in Mechanical Engineering and I am currently pursuing a PhD in Robotics. My interests lie in improving health-care delivery and helping people overcome their disabilities with electromechanical aids. I am extremely excited to have this wonderful opportunity and I look forward to making a contribution to this innovative field of robotics.

MICHELLE ROGERS
I graduated from UW-Madison in August 2002 with a PhD in Industrial Engineering. My project, under the advisement of Professor Barrett Caldwell, investigated the socio-technical impact of an electronic medical record on the work activities and processes in a small clinic. The GERS program offered me the opportunity to interact with other graduate students, faculty in a variety of departments, and professionals from across the country. Professor Douglass Henderson and Kelly Burton are definitely overworked and underpaid. I am currently a Research Scientist at the Veterans Administration (VA) Midwest Patient Safety Center of Inquiry. I conduct research on the implementation of technology in the health care settings. I have designed and conducted usability analyses for the Bar Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) System and the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) as well as made recommendations to national workgroups based on findings. I am currently investigating identification errors in surgical procedures.

BRIAN ROTH
I am originally from Seattle, WA and I received my B.S. in Ecological Biology from the University of Washington. I received my Master's Degree in May 2001 from the University of Wisconsin. I am currently a PhD student in the Limnology and Marine Science department studying under Dr. James Kitchell. My current research revolves around studying the response of the ecosystem (particularly native predatory fishes) to the removal of two exotic (nonnative) species from one lake in northern Wisconsin. Most of my personal interests are outdoors, and I do a lot of fishing and camping during the summer (and winter, in terms of fishing) months. Being from out west, I also enjoy hiking and mountain biking, but I can't say that there are too many mountains to hike or bike out here. But the fishing is great. Although I am relatively new to the program, GERS has been great, and I appreciate all their effort to create a tight-knit community of like-minded students.

MARCO SANCHEZ
I was born and raised in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering from Universidad A. de San Luis Potosi, and a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Metropolitana at Mexico City. I also took a one-year specialization course in Membrane Reactors at the National Chemical Laboratory of the Japanese Government, located in Tsukuba, Japan. I'm currently working on a Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering. In particular, I'm now involved in two different projects related to catalysis and reactor design. One of them deals with the development of a reaction kinetic model for the conversion of model hydrocarbons over acidic catalysts. The other one involves fundamental studies to understand the reactivity of alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters over copper catalysts; this information will establish the basis for the selective conversion of lactic acid into commodity chemicals. I enjoy being with my family and friends and I really like to travel, particularly to places with peculiar cultures and traditions. I like to collect the memories of my trips taking videos and many pictures. I appreciate all the efforts conducted by the GERS program to promote and support, in every possible way, our best performance in our daily activities.

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FOLASADE SOBANDE
Well, my name for most people who don't know is a Yoruba name, which means use wealth (not necessarily money) as your crown. I think my family is my biggest source of wealth. I was born in Lagos State, Nigeria but grew up in Kwara State till I was 15 and then moved to Minnesota where I finished my high school. I received my Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison in December 2002. I am currently a first year grad student pursuing a MS Degree in Industrial Engineering. My specialization is in quality engineering under the advisement of Professor Pascale Carayon. My research project focuses on "Medication Error Reduction, Technologies and Human Factors. I intend on obtaining my PhD still in Industrial Engineering and focusing on Human Computer Interaction and Engineering management. I try to balance my life with schoolwork and social activities. I am a very open-minded person and will try almost any activity once (maybe not skydiving).

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FEDERICO TAVAREZ
I am originally from Puerto Rico. After obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez in May 1997, I worked as a Structural Engineer for the US Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. In August 1999, I came to Madison, WI to pursue my graduate studies. After finishing my Master's Degree in Civil Engineering in the summer 2001, I started my PhD program in the Department of Engineering Physics. I am currently working under the advisement of Dr. Michael Plesha, using the Discrete Element Method to model the behavior of concrete members subjected to impact. The GERS program has provided me financial aid in both my Master's and PhD programs.

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SHUNTEL WILLIAMS
SURE-REU Participant, 2001
Determination, dedication, and organization are what I believe to be the keys to success in any situation. Growing up in New Jersey, taught me that implementing these three points could enable me to achieve anything. I had the opportunity to attend Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA, where I obtained a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. During the matriculation of my undergraduate studies I was an avid member of various activities and organizations such as NSBE and IEEE. I am currently in a M.S. program in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering here at UW-Madison. My area of research focuses on the use of ionized gases (plasmas) for materials processing in the field of microelectronics. Outside of my coursework, I enjoy partaking in extra-curricular activities such as swimming, reading, shopping, and going to the gym. GERS is an excellent program for social activities and academic enlightenment. GERS has personally given me that needed balance between education and relaxation.

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JOSUE YAMBO
OPPS Participant, 2002
I was born and raised in Utuado, Puerto Rico sometime ago. I recently earned a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. I am currently working toward my MS Degree in Transportation Engineering under the guidance of Dr. David Noyce. My research focus is in incorporating road safety into pavement management. The purpose of this research is trying to maximize the pavement surface friction for road safety improvements. Although my research and classes keeps me very busy, I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend, reading, playing computer games, drawing, running (currently I am not doing much of this) and attending church. GERS is an extraordinary program that gives me great support and the opportunity to be integrated into a new community of other graduate students and faculty.