ARASH KASEBI ’13
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ARASH KASEBI ’13 works in the lab at NC State’s College of Textiles
Graduate Student in Textile Engineering and Volunteer Firefighter OR ARASH KASEBI ’13,
an interest in textile technology combined with a passion for service put him on track to developing better safety gear for firefighters. “I was initially drawn to textiles because of how much it overlaps with other fields. Textiles are found in artificial heart valves and in safety components in NASA’s space shuttles,” he said. “But what really inspires me is how textile technology can make a difference in people’s lives.” At a time when the industry is undergoing a high-tech makeover — thanks in large part to research and development at NC State’s College of Textiles, the only one in the nation — that potential was driven home for Kasebi when he became a volunteer firefighter following his freshman year in college. “I realized how amazing it was that I could go into a burning building and come out unscathed,” he explained. “I got interested in the science behind it.” Kasebi’s research interests include the intersection of textiles with material science and human physiology. As his team works to improve firefighters’ hoods, they use a mannequin that breathes and sweats to simulate human use. (Trials on the lab’s famous “PyroMan” test dummy, depicted in the background on p. 16, are also on the horizon.) He’d also like to use his work to address rising rates of cancer among first responders due to carcinogens from plastics and other harmful materials in house fires. Ravenscroft teacher Nelson Nunalee credits Kasebi’s “growth mindset and tireless work ethic” for his success. “Both in physics and in honors engineering, he experienced each new discovery as if he had been given a great gift,” Nunalee said. “It doesn’t surprise me at all to hear that Arash is doing creative and innovative work at NC State.” “My work in the lab is very closely shaped by what I do in the fire service, and it works the other way as well,” Kasebi concluded. “I feel I’m in an excellent position to ensure that whatever innovations and ideas arise [in research] are feasible and practical at the end-user level.”
“Both in physics and in honors engineering, Arash experienced each new discovery as if he had been given a great gift.” — RAVENSCROFT TEACHER NELSON NUNALEE
Spring 2018
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