Seattle University - Reach Volume 4. Issue 1.

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1. SPRING 2017

REACH FOR THE FUTURE

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AT THE LEADING EDGE

Less than a year ago, Electrical and Computer Engineering students interested in exploring next-generation technology had limited space to share and only a little equipment available to them. But things have changed!

The Francis Wood, S.J. and Nick Arvanitidis, PhD Innovation Lab is open for business—and it’s already crackling with innovation.

The cutting edge Innovation Lab is the brainchild of Electrical and Computer Engineering Chair Agnieszka Miguel, PhD, and was made possible by a generous lead gift from Electrical Engineering alumnus Nick Arvanitidis, ’63.

Additional gifts from alumni, the Boeing Company and the Keck Foundation helped bring the lab to completion. “The Innovation Lab is a collaborative studio space for both informal, project-driven, self-directed learning and projects that will be integrated throughout the curriculum,” says Dr. Miguel.

The Innovation Lab offers students the opportunity for hands-on use of emerging technologies, experimentation, innovative idea prototyping, and hardware development in wireless communication, robotics, intelligent systems, the Internet of Things, cyber-physical systems, human-machine interaction, and assistive technology.

Seniors Devon Terayama, Henry Co and Austin Chong share an interest in Internet of Things (IoT). They spent last summer researching and designing a device that uses real-time alerts to measure sound intensity and help prevent hearing loss. “Active learning is a good way for us to experiment with concepts we are interested in,” says Austin.

Their classmate Noah Weller is designing a car that uses IoT to detect and adjust for traffic congestion. He is running tests this quarter and will present his preliminary results in Cambridge, England, in a few months. He is interested in expanding his knowledge of machine learning and robotics.

Noah plans to work in the area of embedded systems software for IoT projects before attending graduate school.

“It’s great to see how the spirit of Fr. Wood will live on with students working in an environment that will spur creativity and expand their exposure to modern tools and technology.”

GENE ZIPP ’78 EE

Mirka Mandich, who is fascinated by biotechnology, renewable energy and fashion, collects articles about everything from warp drives to bioengineered fabrics. Mirka is eager to explore wearable technology in the Innovation Lab, and she is already brainstorming the possibilities for a long-term project. Her career goal? She wants to work in space exploration.

Recently, junior Han Tran launched a new Maker Club, 25 members strong and growing. “I see wonderful opportunities opening up because of the new maker space,” she says. “The club is open to all majors. If someone from biology wants to build something for their research project that ties in with circuitry, they can do that!”

For these and other students, access to the new Innovation Lab will unlock career possibilities that are as wide ranging as they are exciting.

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MAKE AN IMPACT. MAKE A GIFT. SEE PAGES 10 & 11.

“Through the convergence of physical and digital worlds, Internet of Things creates endless possibilities for innovation and creativity. Integration of IoT technology in the undergraduate curriculum will pave the path for students to acquire a range of skills that greatly enhance their employability, primarily in domains that have been transformed by IoT.” SHINY ABRAHAM, PhD ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING

MEETING THE DEMAND With strong aerospace, software, life science and global health sectors, the state of Washington ranks #1 in the country in the concentration of jobs requiring STEM skills. We are doing our part to meet the needs of these important industries and prepare our students for success. Over the past half-dozen years, the number of students in the College of Science and Engineering has grown by more than 40%. During the same time frame, the number of students in our software-related degree and certificate programs has more than doubled.

Our undergraduates benefit from degree programs that are heavily oriented toward experiential learning, including many classes with labs. They leave these classes with deeper knowledge and practical experience that better prepare them for making an immediate contribution in the workplace. Another strength of a STEM education at Seattle University is the variety of extracurricular experiences we make available to our students, including undergraduate research and international service learning.

To support this kind of STEM education, we are building the Center for Science and Innovation, which will provide: • Dynamic learning environments suitable for mini-lectures, experiments and data analysis • An industry-style Project Center, similar to the R&D facilities at leading companies • Larger research labs designed for interdisciplinary work and shared access to equipment • Collaborative spaces where groups of students can work on team projects that are the hallmark of a modern university education The Center for Science and Innovation will spark new excitement for all Seattle U students, and enrollment in engineering, science, mathematics and computer science will continue to climb. As a catalyst for increased engagement with regional industry leaders, the Center for Science and Innovation will create additional pathways to successful careers in the STEM fields.

Michael J. Quinn, PhD Dean, College of Science and Engineering

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CELEBRATE STEM @SU

WHAT DOES Join former classmates for Grand Reunion Weekend Friday, May 5 & Saturday, May 6 JESUITS IN THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE David Boness, PhD, Professor and Chair, Physics Department Wyckoff Auditorium Saturday 10:00 - 10:45am THE QUANTUM WORLD OF THE PROTON Mary Alberg, PhD, Professor of Physics Wyckoff Auditorium Saturday 1:30 - 2:15pm BIOLOGY Evolving Biology Event Saturday 10:00am - 12:00pm CHEMISTRY Open House + Student Research Meet & Greet Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Senior Design Showcase Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm COMPUTER SCIENCE & SOFTWARE ENGINEERING Senior Design Showcase Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING Open House + Demos Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm MATHEMATICS Math-y Games Saturday 10:00am - 1:00pm MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Senior Design Showcase Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm PHYSICS Meet the Faculty Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm

Register today! www.seattleu.edu/reunions

“Filling crucial roles in the STEM pipeline starts with attracting students who will embrace all the opportunities Seattle U has to offer, and then honing their skills throughout their educational progression.”

JOHN HOOPER PE, SE, ’81 BSCE

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SUCCESS LOOK LIKE? A STRONG FOUNDATION

MAKE AN IMPACT. MAKE A GIFT. SEE PAGES 10 & 11.

John Hooper PE, SE, ’81 BSCE / Senior Principal and Director of Earthquake Engineering / Magnusson Klemencic Associates Magnusson Klemencic Associates is a civil and structural engineering firm headquartered in Seattle. We work on the civil and structural designs for architecturally focused projects, both nationally and internationally. As Senior Principal and Director of Earthquake Engineering, I oversee the seismic design of our projects. Given that many of our projects are located in regions of high seismicity, properly taking into account the potential for earthquake ground shaking is a vital aspect in our designs.

At Seattle U I developed a strong technical foundation that I have leveraged throughout my career. The curriculum also inspired curiosity and taught me the importance of being a lifelong learner. I learned to collaborate with my fellow students on technical and leadership activities, skills that have translated very well in my engineering career. The liberal arts portion of my education helped me develop a broader vision of what we should do as individuals to make the world a better place, not only in the work that we do but also for those we come in contact with.

The Jesuit tradition remains the key foundation of the student experience. The mission of educating the whole person, professional formation, and empowering leaders for a just and humane world is not just words; it’s personified by both faculty and students.

I also learned the importance of “giving back,” which is the reason for my current involvement in the Dean’s Leadership Council and the Center for Science and Innovation Task Force.

My SU experience and education have shaped my career and I feel now is the appropriate time to give back, to say thank you by serving in these roles and to support the next generation of engineers and scientists.

AN INSPIRED RESPONSE Sonya Milonova ’09, ENVR / WASH Program Officer for Japan Emergency NGO (JEN) As an undergraduate, Sonya Milonova was interested in being an engineer, but she wasn’t sure how she would put her education to use. Her career choice was inspired by small scale community development projects she did as a member of Engineers Without Borders and by her senior design project.

Sonya’s senior design team worked with a community in Zambia. Children were being eaten by crocodiles when they went to get water from the river. The students spent a year designing a spiral pump that brought water up the shore to a community fountain where people could draw water safely.

Their faculty advisor, Phil Thompson, pushed them to publish their results in a student engineering journal. Sonya says the project was a great culmination of her Seattle U experience.

During grad school at the University of Colorado, Boulder, she learned more about designing and implementing projects

informed by the needs of the community. She did a three-year fellowship at Harvard, where she researched methods to prevent the transmission of tuberculosis. Eventually she returned to field work.

Sonya has always been interested in disaster response. She says, “When there is a big disaster there are no moral qualms about helping. Of course you have to go provide people with water and housing and sanitation—immediately.” She is now in Jordan, working on water issues with a small NGO in Za’atari, a Syrian refugee camp with approximately 80,000 residents.

Sonya says people who have the privilege of getting an education tend to stay in developed countries, but she wanted to take her career in a different direction—and she has. “I am forever grateful to the Seattle U community and the way it changed my perception of the world,” she says.

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It’s Wednesday evening and the six-person engineering design team is assembled to rehearse for a critical design review for their industry sponsor, Kenworth Truck. Today, they’re wearing jeans and T-shirts, presenting to their faculty advisor, Dr. Yen-Lin Han. In 48 hours they will be wearing suits and facing a group of Kenworth engineers.

Mechanical Engineering student Pauline Shammami — who is employed as a Technical Designer at Boeing — has a unique perspective on the value of the senior design project.

The project is not only the final step on her journey from Technical Designer to Engineer, it is also a reflection of the professional environment in which she works.

This interdisciplinary team of electrical engineering and mechanical engineering students has been working on an innovative project that may result in a patent. For now, the students are reviewing an impressive list of deliverables and an equally impressive progress report.

“The structure of the senior design projects closely mimics the design structure I see at work every day—from concept design, to collaborating with coworkers in design reviews, to polishing and submitting the final product,” she says.

“Exposing engineering students to this process as early as possible will only strengthen their ability to succeed in finding an exciting job and exceeding expectations as they gain knowledge and experience in their respective roles.”

It’s not long before Dr. Han interrupts with the first of many questions, and the practice presentation rapidly becomes a teaching session. The students recognize a spot where they have missed emphasizing a key point. The team thinks ahead to the multiple tests they will soon perform at Kenworth’s R&D facility. Time and again, Dr. Han challenges them to problem-solve on their feet.

This team is just one of 37 student teams that engaged in yearlong projects assigned by some of the biggest names in local industry. For some of the students, the project will lead to an offer of employment. For all of them, it’s a game changer.

“Kenworth Truck Company has sponsored multiple projects that push a team to its limits, and we return annually because the students successfully rise to the challenge. The student teams always produce meaningful results, and some have been submitted for patent protection. This working relationship is highly beneficial as a recruiting tool by permitting early exposure between a student and this company. The result is many SU alumni becoming successful PACCAR employees.”

STAN DELIZO RESEARCH ENGINEERING MANAGER, PACCAR

“This senior design project allows me to see how engineering projects are handled in the professional world. I can explore and learn new technologies and increase my skill level in fields I want to specialize in, which will make me a more valuable employee.”

ASHLEY WHITE ’17 ECE

PROJECTS DAY Friday, June 2 / 11:30 – 6:00pm, Sullivan Hall

For 30 years, Seattle University STEM students have been providing meaningful results to tough assignments from local and regional companies. Acting as consultants for organizations throughout the Puget Sound area, small teams of seniors put in hundreds of hours developing solutions to problems posed by their industry sponsors.

For an entire academic year, each student team works closely with a liaison from the sponsoring company, under supervision of a faculty advisor. As they apply theory to real-world problems, the students gain valuable experience and hone their skills in problem solving, project management and communication. Each team is responsible for delivering a working solution or proof of concept before graduation.

Undergraduate Student Showcase, June 2 • Civil & Environmental Engineering • Environmental Science • Electrical & Computer Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • Computer Science The event, which is open to the public, begins with a special presentation. Choose one or more breakout sessions and listen to student teams present their work. During the poster session and 30-Year Anniversary Celebration, you can chat with students and their industry sponsors, witness demonstrations, and catch up with STEM faculty and fellow alumni.

MASTER OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SHOWCASE Thursday, June 1 / 6:00pm Engineering Atrium and Wyckoff Auditorium Evening program includes keynote address, student presentations and a reception.

For more information, visit: seattleu.edu/scieng/project-center/ projects-day-2017/

CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF INNOVATION

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FROM OUR CORNER OF SEATTLE TO EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD In many ways, St. Joseph’s College (SJC) in Bangalore, India, is very similar to Seattle U. Both are Jesuit institutions focused on academic rigor and active learning. They share values and offer many opportunities for local outreach and service. And both are located in rapidly growing, tech-focused cities.

Recently, biology professors Carolyn Stenbak, Lindsay Whitlow and Michael Zanis met with their counterparts at SJC to initiate a collaboration that will benefit students at both institutions.

“Based on a successful model already in place with Universidad Centroamericana de Nicaragua (UCA), we know that science has huge potential to take a partnership to the next level,” says Dr. Zanis.

SCIENCE, GLOBALLY ENGAGED The proposed joint project builds on active research in the Seattle U Biology department, investigating newly discovered viruses that infect algae across Pacific Northwest lakes. The project is globally relevant and transferrable, spanning the full spectrum of biology: ecology and biogeography, virology, botany and phylogenetics.

In Bangalore, the Seattle U professors led an environmental DNA analysis workshop similar to the labs they teach at Seattle U. Participating SJC students collected water samples, isolated DNA and ran electrophoresis gels to determine whether similar viruses were present in Bangalore lakes. “Those students could drop into our classes, and the equipment and approaches would be the same as what they’re used to,” says Dr. Stenbak. “And if our students took a course at SJC, they would feel comfortable in the labs there.

The fact that there’s no language barrier is a plus for everyone.”

GAINING MOMENTUM Later this spring, three science faculty members from SJC will visit Seattle U to observe our classes, meet our students and conduct research in biology labs.

While they’re in Seattle, the SJC delegation will sign a memorandum of understanding that sets the stage for study abroad opportunities with interchangeable courses that meet requirements for science majors at both institutions.

The two groups will discuss how they can perform their research in parallel and share their information. “The research is the key driver of this initiative,” says Dr. Whitlow. “We will become an international research team, engaged in a truly collaborative effort.

Seattle U students in subsequent courses in ecology, virology and plant taxonomy can plug into the project through continued analysis.”

The relationship can play out on multiple levels. Among those are senior synthesis projects, summer undergraduate research opportunities for students at both institutions and a joint comparative course. “We are applying for funding that will make this international collaborative relationship sustainable, both at the educational level and as a joint research initiative,” says Dr. Zanis.

“…we are helping to set an example of how Jesuit universities around the world can collaborate effectively and build a more engaged and deeper sense of a global Jesuit higher education network.”

JOE ORLANDO DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR JESUIT EDUCATION

EYP/MITHUN WILL DESIGN THE CENTER FOR SCIENCE & INNOVATION Design work has begun for the Center for Science and Innovation! Architects from EYP/Mithun recently visited campus for several days of meetings with key stakeholders, including faculty members in the College of Science and Engineering. In addition to designing a dynamic new STEM building, EYP/Mithun will completely reimagine and transform the Bannan Building. The resulting STEM complex will deliver 180,000 square feet of cuttingedge facilities to the heart of the Seattle U campus.

EYP is known for designing collaborative environments that activate learning through discovery and research.

Seattle-based Mithun was the local partner on the Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons at SU. Mithun Principal Lana Lisitsa commented that she is inspired by the forward thinking of the faculty as they imagine new spaces suited for multiple uses. Michael Quinn, Dean of the College of Science and Engineering, says, “The EYP/ Mithun team understands the kind of institution we are.”

“We will become an international research team, engaged in a truly collaborative effort.”

LINDSAY WHITLOW, PhD ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, BIOLOGY

In the coming months, the EYP/Mithun team will return several times as they fine tune and align their vision with ours. The architects look forward to working with our faculty to imagine new ways of teaching, reaching students and sharing spaces. Look for more information in the winter issue of REACH!

“It’s very clear to us that the faculty have a desire to create a building that can flex over time, with spaces that can be transformed as the interests and needs of the students change and as technology changes.”

TONI LOIACANO ACADEMIC PLANNING & DESIGN EXPERT, EYP

MAJOR GIFT PHASE NOW UNDERWAY.

ELEVATING OUR PROFILE

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“Too many people in the world are living without access to electricity.

The microgrid project in Zambia changed my whole outlook.

You can provide power for a whole village for $25,000 and make a difference for hundreds of people. Coming to Seattle U has really opened my eyes to what I can do with my engineering degree.” ABDUL-RASUL KASSAMALI ’17 ECE

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“Our senior design project is teaching us how to approach a design problem, starting from the foundation and using resources in the best way in order to meet a deadline. By experiencing the professional aspects of engineering, we are looking into the future at what we’ll be doing when we join the workforce.” DEVON TERAYAMA ’17 ECE

“In Thailand, I participated in a service project at a small orphanage where we helped build an aquaponics system, which will eventually produce lettuces for harvest and fish to sell. The system circulates water through the plant beds and fish tanks, converting ammonia produced by the fish into beneficial nutrients for the plants. I want to use the specialized skills I have learned at SU to make a difference.”

ELIZABETH SIMON ’17 MEGR

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T C Future focused. Fearlessly exceptional. These are Seattle U students.

They are the ones who will carry their skills, knowledge and Jesuit values into careers where they will make a difference. They will change lives in the communities where they live and work—and you can help them get there.

YOUR SUPPORT HELPS OUR STUDENTS IN MANY WAYS: DEAN’S FUND STUDENT RESEARCH ENHANCED LABORATORIES CENTER FOR SCIENCE & INNOVATION

Visit seattleu.edu/giving and choose the College of Science and Engineering Dean’s Fund.

To make a transformational gift for the Center for Science & Innovation, contact Michelle Finet, CSE Director of Development: 206-296-2846 / finetm@seattleu.edu

Seattle University 901 12th Ave PO Box 222000 Seattle, WA 98122

JOIN US! CELEBRATE STEM @SU GRAND REUNION WEEKEND, MAY 5 & 6 SEE PAGE 4 30 YEARS OF INNOVATION PROJECTS DAY, JUNE 2 SEE PAGE 7 Michael J. Quinn, PhD Dean, College of Science and Engineering

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