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Nathan Mahary is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering Department. He interned at , a global medical device company, and has been heavily involved with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) during his time at 欧美口爆视频 Boulder.

Medtronic treats about 70 health conditions and their technologies include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools and patient monitoring systems. 

How did you first get interested in electrical & computer engineering? 

Growing up, I loved playing with electronics either if it was taking apart RC cars and helicopters and putting them back together. That curiosity naturally led me to engineering. I joined a robotics program in high school, which helped me realize how much I enjoyed the combination of electrical and software engineering. When I started college, I initially entered as an open engineering major to explore my options, but inevitably knew I鈥檇 end up in electrical and computer engineering. I just love how the two fields complemented each other, allowing me to work in both hardware and software.

How did you find out about the internship with Medtronic?

Through NSBE, we had a connection with Medtronic. Medtronic invited NSBE members to visit their facility, and they asked for resumes for anyone interested in learning about their career opportunities. I submitted mine and then received an email inviting me to an interview. I wouldn鈥檛 have had that opportunity to learn about Medtronic without NSBE.

What was it like knowing that NSBE played a role in securing your internship?

It was surreal. Glory to God! Our goal in collaborating with Medtronic was to open up opportunities for NSBE members. When they mentioned internship opportunities, I figured I had nothing to lose by submitting my resume. Medtronic was an opportunity to work in an area that had matched my skill set and gave me an opportunity to strengthen those skills.

What kind of projects did you work on during your internship?

My role was primarily in software engineering. I developed a testing application for the surgical operations software team using a programming language of my choice. I wasn鈥檛 very strong in Python at that time, so my mentor encouraged me to work on that and by the end of the summer, I had significantly improved my coding skills. It was an eye-opening experience because I never saw myself working in the medical field. My true passion has been space technology, but this internship showed me how impactful and rewarding medical technology can be.

Beyond technical skills, what did you learn from the internship?

One major takeaway was learning to work on a larger team. In my school projects, I had worked with at most up to four people. At Medtronic, I was part of a much larger team, and I had to learn how to do my part while integrating my work into a bigger system. 

Another incredible aspect was being able to shadow other engineers. Since I have an electrical background, I was honest with them and wanted to explore both software and hardware. One of the managers connected me with a hardware engineer who I got to work with in the lab where I soldered components and learned more about the hardware. That hands-on experience helped me stay connected to my electrical engineering roots.

How has NSBE influenced your professional development?

NSBE has played a huge role in my college journey. Before 欧美口爆视频 Boulder, my cousin, who was on the NSBE board, encouraged me to attend a meeting. At first, I was only focused on academics鈥攇etting good grades and doing well in class. But NSBE introduced me to the professional side of engineering: how to market myself, build a resume and practice for interviews. That changed everything for me.

During my sophomore year I became the media chair and helped promote events to our members. I wanted to give back more to NSBE and thankfully became vice president my junior year, which gave me the platform to help others in the same way NSBE had helped me. Leading NSBE meetings and connecting our members with more opportunities helped grow my leadership tremendously.

What was your experience like at NSBE鈥檚 professional conferences?

The NSBE National Convention is an incredible opportunity, and I always encourage students to attend. Over 300 companies and grad schools participate, and the career fair alone is a game-changer. At home, you might apply to two or three jobs a day, but at the conference, you have hundreds of companies right in front of you. It鈥檚 one of the best ways for students to land internships and jobs. 

What are your post-graduation plans?

I have two major goals. God willing, first, I鈥檓 returning to Medtronic in the fall as a software engineer, which is a huge opportunity for me. Second, I鈥檓 working with a few other students on a potential startup. My business minor has been incredibly valuable in that process, and I鈥檝e always been passionate about the business side of engineering. I even took an engineering management course this year to sharpen my skills. Whether it鈥檚 through Medtronic or this startup, I鈥檓 excited about what鈥檚 ahead!

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The national awards recognize and support outstanding grad students from across the country in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields who are pursuing research-based master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees.

Awardees receive a $37,000 annual stipend and cost of education allowance for the next three years as well as professional development opportunities.

欧美口爆视频 Boulder is in the top universities 15 nationally for the NSF fellowship recipients for 2024, with 27 awardees across all majors. 欧美口爆视频 Engineering also has a strong track record with winning the fellowships 鈥� 28 students received GRFP awards in 2023,23 students received them in 2022, and 26 students received them in 2021.

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Blastoff! The rocket soared over the prairie, its unique engine screaming in unison with cheers from more than two dozen students. The months of work, late nights, calculations, and validations had all been worth it.

Three University of 欧美口爆视频 Boulder aerospace senior design teams had come together and successfully designed, built, and launched a 10鈥� tall, 50 lb. hybrid liquid/solid fuel rocket at Pawnee National Grasslands in rural Weld County.

鈥淭his was a really hard design challenge, a very difficult technical dance,鈥� said Matt Rhode, teaching assistant professor in the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences and the lead faculty advisor on the project. 鈥淎 hybrid motor is very difficult technically, requiring analysis in structures, fluids, propulsion, aerodynamics, remote sensing and control. This is a true triumph.鈥�

All 欧美口爆视频 Boulder aerospace seniors spend two semesters tackling a capstone project that brings together their education with real-world engineering challenges. There are myriad project options for students, from space mission prototypes to reconnaissance drone concepts.

The 36 students of the rocket teams signed up for a project that had bedeviled years of previous seniors.

鈥淚 liked the challenge,鈥� said senior Matt Bechtel, who served on the ground system team. 鈥淚t was something completely different than any other project and had a practical endpoint. We would be able to test it in the exact environment it was designed for, which had a bigger appeal to me than any other project.鈥�

The project saw its genesis more than 20 years ago, when a student approached Rhode about hybrid rockets, which are safer than solid fuel propulsion and not subject to the same U.S. government export restrictions that the turbo pumps necessary for liquid rockets are.

The complexity of the project presented a unique challenge for senior design, and proved to be more than could be accomplished by a single team in just two semesters. This academic year, Rhode split the project into three separate parts: ground systems, airframe, and engine. With dedicated teams for each, they made it to the finish line.

鈥淭his project was bigger than any of us,鈥� said senior Gavin Morales, who was project manager for the engine team. 鈥淲e had highs and lows. Our lowest point was when our second static fire test had an actuation failure with the main valve and just burned out. But we came back, and everybody had the attitude that we鈥檙e going to do whatever it takes.鈥�

The students designed and built everything themselves. Even the rocket fuel and oxidizer was manufactured on campus.

鈥淎ll the mixes went well. The solid propellant was aluminum powder with HTPB, which is a rubbery binder. It鈥檚 a non-standard fuel but has high thrust initially, and we were really concerned about getting off the pad, so it made sense,鈥� Morales said.

Each team worked separately toward their portion of the project goals while interfacing regularly to stay aligned. As students like Morales tackled engine design, others were perfecting the embedded systems and dual-deploy parachute systems necessary for the ground station and airframe.

Hybrid solid/liquid rockets are unusual in industry, with Sierra Nevada鈥檚 Dream Chaser and Virgin Galactic as the primary users in the United States. Team members, however, discovered commercial interest is high, as the project helped numerous students get post-graduation jobs.

鈥淚鈥檝e been hired by a defense contractor and during the interview process I got to give specific examples from this project that were relevant to their work,鈥� Morales said. 鈥淎nother team member got a job at SpaceX doing exactly what he did on this project and a member of the ground team posted on LinkedIn about the launch and someone else from SpaceX tagged their boss about hiring him.鈥�

Watching the students progress over two semesters, Rhode was impressed with their commitment to the project.

鈥淭hese were a bunch of good students,鈥� Rhode said. 鈥淭hey were motivated and dedicated and spent a lot of extra hours and got it done. Students don鈥檛 build this kind of rocket because it鈥檚 so hard, but this department has outstanding faculty and a world-class program, and these students got the job done.鈥�

Preparing for the final launch, team members spent 36 hours setting up the rocket and ground equipment. Although there were some final hiccups with a load cell and morning fog that took far longer to clear than hoped, when the final countdown came the rocket went up without a hitch.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I鈥檝e ever been so stressed and I don鈥檛 think I鈥檝e ever had such instant relief,鈥� Bechtel said.

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When did you know you wanted to study mechanical engineering? 
I actually applied to and started in our biomedical engineering program. During my third semester, though, I realized that biology wasn鈥檛 for me, and learning about engineering through the lens of the human body made me queasy so I decided to change my major.

I think the reason I didn鈥檛 originally apply to mechanical engineering was that I only associated it with cars and the automotive industry. When I got to 欧美口爆视频 Boulder, I realized that mechanical engineering spans so many industries and is involved in the design of almost any technological component which is what convinced me to pursue it.

What challenges do you hope mechanical engineering can solve in the future? 
I hope that mechanical engineers can contribute to finding solutions to climate change. The energy, manufacturing and transportation sectors have been major contributors to global warming and I hope mechanical engineers can make advancements to our current technology and create new, clean and affordable solutions that will help mitigate its impacts.

What are some of your memorable experiences at 欧美口爆视频 Engineering? 
There are so many 鈥� but a majority of them come back to the community and friends I have here. My friends and I joke that when we get our degrees we should get them as a group because we wouldn鈥檛 have made it through college without each other鈥檚 help and support. No matter whether we are working on homework late into the night, studying for exams together or applying to internships, I know that my friends are there for me and are always willing to help me when I need it. I hope that鈥檚 what I鈥檒l remember when I think back to college when I am a few years into my career.

What are your favorite aspects of being involved with SWE? 

My favorite part of SWE is the community. I have had the opportunity to interact with 欧美口爆视频 members, as well as members from the professional section of SWE and everyone I have met has been nothing short of friendly and kind. I have been to two SWE conferences which helped introduce me to SWE at the larger international organization and exposed me to so many professional and learning opportunities.

Why should someone consider joining SWE? 
It鈥檚 a fun way to meet new people, get industry contacts and give back to the community! You will learn a lot along the way. My only regret is not getting involved sooner.

Top Photo: Sara hiking Grizzly Peak and Cupid Peak with the 欧美口爆视频 Hiking Club. Bottom Photo: Celebrating birthdays with SWE friends on Pearl Street.

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We sat down with graduating fourth-year environmental engineering student Mia Lonergan to share about her 欧美口爆视频 Engineering experience! Mia has served as treasurer for the 欧美口爆视频 Boulder Society of Women Engineers (SWE) during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years.

What inspired you to pursue engineering or STEM in general? 

I always had a love for math and chemistry. I was always interested in understanding how things worked and why certain objects could function. This helped to align my interests in technology with STEM and pursue a career in engineering.

When did you know you wanted to study environmental engineering? 

I was heavily involved in 4H in elementary, middle and high school. Being part of the organization fostered my interest in sustainability and the needs of the future. I knew I wanted to study environmental engineering, as it offered a focus on energy conversion. Specifically, I wanted to pursue a career in the renewable energy sector, leading me to later pursue a minor in energy engineering in addition to my degree.

What challenges do you hope environmental engineering can solve in the future? 

I hope that environmental engineering can solve the energy crisis in the future, assisting in a clean transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Fossil fuels will always be used for transportation and electricity generation. However, incorporating a larger ratio of renewable energy like wind, solar, microgrids and hydrogen, will allow us to shift to a cleaner future.

What stood out to you about 欧美口爆视频 Boulder as you considered college options? 

欧美口爆视频 Boulder stood out to me when I considered college options, as it offered both beauty and brains. I was interested in attending a university with a top-ranked engineering program that offered networking opportunities, resources for students and active hands-on learning experiences. 欧美口爆视频 Engineering offered various opportunities to make connections with other students, professors and industry professionals. 

Specifically, the BOLD Center stuck out to me as it offers resources, tutoring, networking, professional development, student society involvement, and more to underrepresented students in engineering. Finally, Boulder offers plenty of outdoor activities including hiking and snowboarding nearby: two of my favorite hobbies. Not to mention, you can鈥檛 beat the view of the Flatirons every morning!

What are some of your memorable experiences at 欧美口爆视频 Engineering? 

Some of my memorable experiences at 欧美口爆视频 Engineering include participating in the Mechanical Engineering Senior Design project on the 欧美口爆视频 Buffwind Team. It has been an amazing experience contributing to a project that will be presented at the Department of Energy NREL Collegiate Wind Competition this May. Another memorable experience included participating in BuffProjects where I got to work with a group of students on an industry project. Finally, I have been heavily involved in the Society of Women Engineers where I unlocked countless experiences and connections. 

What are your favorite aspects of being involved with SWE? 

My favorite aspects of being involved with SWE include mentorships, networking opportunities, industry exposure and the opportunity to meet women and other minorities in both STEM and engineering fields here at 欧美口爆视频. 

Our mentorship program has connected me with various undergraduate students as well as fostered connections with industry mentors. I have had the opportunity to network with 50+ companies here on campus and 200+ companies at both national and local conferences through the 欧美口爆视频 Boulder Society of Women Engineers. 

This is my second year serving on the executive board as treasurer. It has allowed me to partake in SWE on both a national and local level and assist the section in achieving our goals. SWE has truly transformed my experience at the University of 欧美口爆视频 Boulder. 

Why should someone consider joining SWE? 

Someone should consider joining SWE if they want to meet new people within the school of engineering; practice networking; partake in STEM-related activities with younger audiences including elementary school students, middle school students, high school students, and Girl Scouts; travel to national and local conferences where you can meet engineers of all ages in all industries; partake in professional development; or do a fun activity with other students at one of our weekly meetings! 

Are you involved with other student organizations on campus? 

During my time here at 欧美口爆视频, I have participated in Engineers Without Borders Rwanda, the Society of Environmental Engineers, the 欧美口爆视频 Energy Club and currently the 欧美口爆视频 Wind Energy Club.

What are your plans after graduation? 

I plan to take some time to travel during the summer before starting with Mortenson as a wind energy group field engineer on their wind team. I look forward to working on-site during the construction of wind farms.

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