October 2015 - University of Wisconsin

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Voice of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science Since 1925
October 2015
WiSys Grants
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has been awarded four
Applied Research-WiSys Technology Advancement Grants
distributed by the University of Wisconsin System. Each grant
is worth $50,000.
Although the UW System contains more than 25 separate
campuses, the UW-Platteville campus alone claimed onethird of all AR-WiTAG awards granted this year. Three of the
UW-Platteville grants were awarded to chemistry faculty, while
the fourth was awarded to Dr. Gokul Gopal, an engineering
physics professor.
The grants went to:
Dr. Brian Barry and Dr. Jim Hamilton – A Novel Approach
for Generation of Value-Added Lignin-derived Products: A
Catalytic Process for Selective C-O Bond Cleavage
Dr. Jim Hamilton
Dr. Brian Barry
According to Dr. Brian Barry, lignin is by far the most abundant, renewable source of valuable aromatics known and is
a byproduct of the paper and biofuels industries. Worldwide
production of lignin is projected to be around 300 million
tons by 2030. Due to its highly varied and polymeric chemical
structure, refining lignin to pure compounds is rather difficult.
“Our project takes a ‘bottom-up’ approach at ‘cracking’ the
lignin using novel, selective homogeneous catalysts in solvent
systems tailored to be both chemically inert and excellent at
solubilizing the lignin,” said Barry.
Dr. Charles Cornett, Dr. Raja Annamalai, and Dr. Joseph Wu
– Continued Development of Presumptive Drug Testing Kits
“Our research project is focused on developing a rapid, reliable color test for synthetic cannabinoids which are one category of these emergent drugs,” said Dr. Charles Cornett. “Our
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Dr. Raja Annamalai
Dr. Joseph Wu and Dr. Charles Cornett
recent project related to synthetic cathinones (a different class
of these emergent drugs) was successful in developing a field
use color test for law enforcement. The synthetic cathinones
are also known as ‘bath salts,’ and we are currently in the process of internationally patenting that technology.”
Dr. Gokul Gopal – Silicon Nanomembranes for Piezoresistive
MEMS Pressure Sensors
With collaborators from UW-Madison and
Argonne National Laboratories, Dr. Gokul
Gopal developed a technique to fabricate
extremely flat, ultrathin membranes of
silicon. “These nanomembranes provide
an important technology platform for
building new and better microelectronic
and micro-electromechanical devices, as well as for studying
fundamental science at the nanoscale,” said Gopal.
Dr. Mohammad Rabbani – Design and Synthesis of
Nanoporous Organic Polymers to Construct Nanoporous
Membrane Composites for Gas Separation Applications
The main focus of this research project is to develop a convenient and
economically viable technology for
recovering the methane content from
landfill emissions by removing other
gases, particularly carbon dioxide.
“Landfill emission gases are basically a
50/50 mixture of methane and carbon
dioxide, produced by decaying organic matter contained in
waste materials thrown away each and every day at landfills,”
said Dr. Mohammad Rabbani.
Master’s of
Engineering
NSF Award
Supporting
Member
KL Engineering
The National Science Foundation has awarded a grant of
$630,410 to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Distance Learning Center to increase access to online master’s
degree programs in the STEM disciplines. The funding will
provide scholarships of up to $10,000 for full-time students
pursuing graduate degrees in engineering, project management, and integrated supply chain management.
The overall goal of the five-year program is to increase the
number of students in STEM disciplines and the number of
employees in STEM fields, especially among underrepresented populations. Information regarding the criteria and
application for these scholarships may be found at GoUWP.
com/STEM.
In addition to providing scholarship opportunities, the
grant will allow UW-Platteville to provide increased support services for online students such as faculty and peer
mentoring, as well as access to research and networking
opportunities with STEM professionals. The impact of
these activities on student retention will be reviewed under
the terms of the grant funding.
“This funding is a tremendous opportunity for the students
who will receive scholarships, but also to improve the
learning environment for all students in our programs,”
said Dr. Lisa Landgraf, the grant’s Principal Investigator.
Another key component to the program will include partnering each student with a mentor and a champion, both of
whom will be helping their student with career goals, educational choices, and post-graduation employment opportunities. Mentors and champions will be fellow students, alumni,
and professionals in STEM fields. “Partnering with the
National Science Foundation is a great honor and will allow
UW-Platteville’s online programs to continue as leaders in
the STEM disciplines,” said Dawn Drake, Executive Director of the Distance Learning Center at UW-Platteville. “But
even more importantly, this partnership allows us to create
opportunities for our online master’s degree students that
will result in high quality employees who are in demand and
uniquely relevant to today’s workplace and economy.”
I-41/I-43 Mega Project in Brown County
KL Engineering is a woman-owned business that provides
professional services built around a core specialization in
transportation engineering and an unwavering customer
service ethic. They have been a UW-Platteville College of
EMS Alumni Chapter Supporting Member since 2002.
From their offices in Madison, Green Bay, and Menomonie,
Wisconsin KL Engineering provides civil engineering,
surveying, construction management, and environmental
services for both public and private clients. Maintaining excellent communication, being flexible and responsive, and
delivering a quality product on schedule and within budget
are trademarks of their organization and how they provide
their clients [A] Better Experience.
KL Engineering was founded in 1991 by Kim M. Lobdell,
P.E., who presides over the company as President and Chief
Executive Officer. They currently have a staff of 51 employees — 18 of whom are UW-Platteville graduates from the
College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science. Their
projects range from being a WisDOT local program consultant on smaller projects ($75K) to redesigning the IH 39/90
central segment in Rock County, Wisconsin — a WisDOT
mega project costing $302M to construct. Pictured are a few
more examples of KL Engineering’s work.
University Avenue project for the city
of Madison received the WisDOT
Excellence in Highway Design Award
for Best Urban Project in 2013.
Ryan Umentum, P.E.,
‘06 performing a bridge
inspection on the I-41
mega project.
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Alumni Prole
Gavin Swigart
University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumnus Gavin Swigart built on the early experience he gained as a production control manager to launch his own consulting
company and eventually teach college mathematics.
Swigart, who earned a bachelor’s degree in both industrial engineering and mathematics in 2007, was active in the Institute of Industrial Engineers and Swing Club
during his time on campus. Noting that his education at UW-Platteville helped
him with many aspects of his career, Swigart recalled several faculty members who
inspired him.
“Dr. Swaminathan Balachandran, Dr. Jill Clough, and Dr. Patricia Jenkins in the
industrial engineering department were really motivational,” he said. “They are just
really good instructors and good at preparing you for what you’re going to have to
do as a professional.”
“Additionally, Dr. Benjamin Collins gave me the opportunity to do an independent
study in math with game theory,” said Swigart. “He went above and beyond and
took time out of his schedule to guide me through that.”
Swigart completed his master’s in operations research from Georgia Institute of
Technology in 2012. “One of the courses I took while at Georgia Tech was Economic Decision, and it was basically game theory,” said Swigart. “And I was already well
primed on that.”
In fact, Swigart credited Collins for inspiring him to become a teacher. Swigart
currently teaches in the math department at California State University San Marcos,
San Marcos, California. “[Dr. Collins] is one of the reasons why I am a teacher
today,” stated Swigart.
After graduation, Swigart gained experience and expertise in Enterprise Resource
Planning, a business management software, while working at several small companies in the aerospace and medical device industries.
“
Dr. Collins is
one of the reasons
why I am a teacher
today.
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”
Building on that expertise, Swigart founded GDS Consulting, where he assists
companies with ERP implementation and training in San Diego, California. “I get
to deal with a lot of growing companies and try to help enable that growth with a
system that will give them information about how to run their business.” Swigart
explained.
In his spare time, Swigart volunteers as Vice President of Education for APICS San
Diego Chapter, a professional association for supply chain and operations management and the leading provider of research, education, and certification programs.
In his role with APICS, Swigart sets up courses, orders books and materials, and
recruits new students. He is also a certified instructor and teaches Certified in
Production and Inventory Management and Certified Supply Chain Professional courses.
Alchemist Club
Promoting Science in Platteville
The Alchemist Club at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is a student-run
chapter of the American Chemical Society, and is dedicated to building awareness of chemistry at the local level. Comprised of nearly 30 members, the club
participates in various outreach activities in the Platteville community, including visits to the local elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools to
conduct demonstrations for students.
“We go to events like Platteville Elementary School Science Night and we do
demonstrations of elephant toothpaste, burning money, invisible ink, and rainbow in a tube,” said Kjerstin Gronski, a senior chemistry major from Platteville
and president of the Alchemist Club. “When all of the elementary school kids
see the demos, they think we’re rock stars—it’s really funny.”
The club also hosts Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts weekends to get youth interested in chemistry.
Gronski, who has been involved in the Alchemist Club for nearly three years,
says outreach activities are her favorite part about being involved. “That’s
really what gets me excited—going out into the community and showing what I
do and what I love.”
In addition to community involvement, the club also participates in many
events on campus, such as the EMS Expo, where members perform demonstrations with liquid nitrogen, and a hydrogen and oxygen balloon experiment.
Members also have several fun activities planned for National Chemistry Week
on Oct. 18–24. “We’re hoping to do pumpkin explosions and other demonstrations,” Gronski explained.
To join Alchemist Club at UW-Platteville, members do not have to be chemistry
majors; anyone who is interested in science is welcome. For more information,
contact Gronski at [email protected].
Student Spotlight
Michael Ababio
Michael Ababio,
a Platteville
native and senior
computer science major at
the University of
Wisconsin-Platteville, has always
pictured himself
working with computers. “As a kid, I
was always fascinated with computers,”
said Ababio. “I wanted to know how
and why things worked the way they
did, especially in games.”
Growing up in Platteville, Ababio was
exposed to campus and the College of
Engineering, Mathematics and Science
early on in life. His father, Dr. Samuel
Owusu-Ababio, is also a professor in
the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “Being in the
College of EMS has really helped
shape me into the person I am today,”
said Ababio. “Because of the lessons,
work, and support from not only
teachers, but students as well, I have
gained more knowledge than I could
have ever asked for, and have made
long-lasting friendships. I’m so glad I
ended up at UW-Platteville.”
Aside from his studies, Ababio is a
member of the UW-Platteville Singing
Pioneers and Chamber Choir, and participates in musicals and the Swing Club.
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Outstanding Alumni Award
Terrance Ingram, David Pantzlaff and Jeff Mazanec have
been honored by the College of EMS Alumni Chapter with
Outstanding Alumni Awards. These awards are presented
annually at the College of EMS Graduating Senior and
Alumni Recognition Dinner held on the Friday of Homecoming weekend.
Terrance Ingram
Terrance Ingram earned his Bachelor
of Science in Physics and Mathematics
in 1961 from UW-Platteville. He is the
President and Executive Director of Eagle
Nature Foundation, Ltd., with headquarters in Apple River, Illinois.
Ingram has dedicated his career and his resources to
protecting the environment and has made saving the
bald eagle a special focus of his time and talents. He has
organized, directed, and taught environmental leadership
training camps and workshops for over 30 years both in the
states and Canada. Additionally, he has been a keynote,
banquet, and conference speaker at many state and local
conventions. Ingram has founded a number of important
environmental organizations.
In 1976, Ingram was awarded the prestigious Sol Feinstone
Environmental Award from Syracuse University. He was
also named the 2006 Illinois Environmental Hero. For
over 20 years, he has edited and published Bald Eagle News,
Nature News, and Small Beekeeper’s Journal. He has produced
the 16mm film, Eagle Country, and written a coffee table
book, Eagle.
David Pantzlaff
David Pantzlaff earned his Bachelor of
Science in Civil Engineering in 1972.
He later received a Master of Science in
Structural Engineering from Iowa State
University. After five years working for
the Iowa Department of Transportation,
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Pantzlaff joined Ayres Associates in Eau Claire, Wisconsin,
in 1978 as a project engineer.
In 1990, Pantzlaff began managing the bridge operation
for Ayres. Under his guidance, the bridge operation has
increased staff and is the largest in Wisconsin dedicated to
bridge design for local governments. It has also expanded
into structural design for buildings. Pantzlaff’s responsibilities include project management of bridge replacement
and highway approach roadway reconstruction projects.
He has been involved with over 1,500 projects during his
years with Ayres.
During his tenure with Ayres, several projects for which
he provided engineering design or management have won
awards from engineering associations. Pantzlaff was recognized in 2015 as an ASCE Life Member, and he offers his
experience to the Wisconsin Highway Research Program
Structures Technical Oversight Committee.
Jeff Mazanec
Jeff Mazanec earned his Bachelor of
Science in Civil Engineering in 1978. He
is employed with R.A. Smith National as
a Senior Project Manager.
Mazanec’s work in erosion control has
been influential within the industry. He
is known as an innovative thinker and is very adept at using technology to improve efficiency. For example, he has
developed an application that allows inspectors to collect
information on erosion control devices such as silt fences.
This allows engineers and inspectors to see what is and is
not working in terms of erosion control.
Mazanec was recognized as the ASCE Wisconsin Young
Engineer of the Year in 1985. Additionally, he has won the
John W. Curtis Chapter Service Award from APWA in 2006;
Appleton Downtown Inc. President’s Award in 2002; and the
Visionary Award – Friends of the Fox in 2012. Mazanec was
also inducted into the UW-Platteville Athletic Hall of Fame
in 2000 in recognition of track career at UW-Platteville.
Trending in EMS
Civil and Environmental engineering
13
549
students
428 Civil
+ 121 Environmental
90%
Faculty
Job
placement
rate
$52,300
Average salary of recent graduates
Faculty Prole
Dan Marotz
Dan Marotz, an instructor of engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is a Wisconsin native,
growing up on a dairy farm in south
central Wisconsin.
Marotz received his bachelor’s in
both industrial engineering and math
from UW-Platteville in 1999 before
completing his master’s in manufacturing systems engineering from UW-Madison in 2003. “UW-Platteville’s reputation
for strong undergraduate education in engineering is what
originally drew me to the school,” said Marotz. “I also like the
interaction I could have with a professor in my classes, versus
a teaching assistant.”
Marotz currently teaches Quality Engineering and Management at UW-Platteville, while also working as an Engineering
Manager in Madison, Wisconsin. “I have found the engineers
we hire from UW-Platteville are second to none in having the
skills required to perform the job,” he said. “They have the right
blend of classroom and hands-on experiences to work in the
real world.”
During his free time, Marotz enjoys outdoor activities, including biking, hunting, and hiking. He also enjoys spending time
on his parents’ farm and taking mini-vacations with his wife.
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Events
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FRIDAY, NOV. 13
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1866 Cornerstone Society Reception
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