College of Engineering Dean Erick Jones, second from right, among University leadership at an event recognizing the $36 million Gillemont Foundation gift.

Gillemot gift, $36M, to start aerospace program

An aerospace engineering department may soon be developed at the College of Engineering, thanks to a generous $36 million donation from the George W. Gillemot Foundation. The gift to the University of Nevada, Reno, announced this fall, would create the George W. Gillemot Aerospace Engineering Department, if approved by the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents. It would also fund next-generation technology to upgrade the visual experience within the George W. Gillemot Dome in the College of Science’s Fleischmann Planetarium. For more, see University receives largest individual gift.

DID YOU KNOW? The College's Mechanical Engineering Department already has an aerospace minor degree program.
WATCH the Aerospace Club launch a rocket in Nevada's Black Rock Desert.

University 150

Follow the College of Engineering on LinkedIn as we celebrate the University’s 150th anniversary! Twice a month, we’ll post historical images and stories of the college, focusing on our early leaders, students and engineering buildings. More: Engineering celebrates the University’s 150 th anniversary on social.

Alum Cat Black awarded Scrugham Medal for 2023

Congratulations to Catriona “Cat” Black, ’95 Materials Science Engineering, the 2023 recipient of the Scrugham Medal. The medal is awarded to alumni who have demonstrated success in their chosen profession. Read more: Cat Black reflects on women in engineering and campus changes.

RESEARCH

Lithium extraction project

Responding to the national need for lithium-based batteries, Chemical & Materials Engineering Professor Mano Misra and his team this fall began working with industry to extract the metal in an environmentally sensitive way. Read about Misra’s work.

Autonomous robots

Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Floris van Breugel has been awarded a $2 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to adapt autonomous robots to be as resilient as fruit flies. Learn more about van Breugel’s research.

Pavement technology

Civil Engineering Professor Elie Hajj has entered into a $5 million FHWA contract to develop and deploy new asphalt pavement technologies, benefiting local industry and students. Read about the FWHA agreement.

Biosensing research

Associate Professor Xiaoshan Zhu secures an NSF grant to offer biosensing research opportunities to undergrads. Applicants from all academic institutions may apply. Learn more about the biosensing research program.

QUICK HITS

Assistant Professor Hamed Ebrahimian discussed his research of this summer’s devastating Lahaina wildfire with KTVN 2 News. Watch the segment here.
Technology developed by Professor Ali Tavakkoli is being tested on the International Space Station. See the LinkedIn post here.
Associated Professor Jeongwon Park is working with other academics to develop metaconductor technology, the next step in semiconductor technology. Watch the NSF video here.
National Security Agency cybersecurity expert Tamela Dukes delivered the keynote address at the Cybersecurity Conference Oct. 5. Read Cybersecurity is a team sport.
Assistant Professor Maryam Sarmazdeh secures an NIH grant to purchase specialized equipment for use in biomolecular engineering research. The BLI Octet R8 will allow Sarmazdeh and other researchers to conduct real-time, high-throughput screening. Read New equipment will allow for cutting-edge biomolecular research.
More than 60 water experts gathered for a July water conference organized by Partnering for Impact and hosted by NWII at the University. Read Nevada Water Innovation Institute to host water experts July 27-28.

FACULTY

National Academy member joins College

Soil and water scientist Dani Or, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, joined the College of Engineering in September. Or is known for his work on soil physics, hydromechanics and microbiology.

Environmental Engineering Associate Professor David Hanigan has been selected by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists for its 40 Under 40 Recognition Program.

Civil Engineering Associate Professor Eric Marchand wrapped up a one-year term as Faculty Senate Chair this summer. Marchand is the third Engineering faculty member to take on that role.

Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Pradeep Menezes was interviewed by Manufacturing Dive online magazine about EV and battery manufacturing in Nevada.

STUDENT ROUNDUP

High-altitude balloon project

Engineering students operating a high-altitude balloon outfitted with cameras helped livestream the recent annular eclipse. (Photo at right). See balloon story and video. In other news:

Jade Beland won two contests at the Materials Science & Technology Technical Meeting & Exhibition. Read more about Jade's wins.
Jeremy La Porte gets two grants to study wireless power transfer. Read about Jeremy’s work.
Grad student Anil Timilsina develops a method to measure quinones. Read about Anil’s work.
Ph.D. candidate Travis Numan discusses climate change from an indigenous perspective at the WEF conference. Watch the video.

LETTER FROM THE DEAN

Engineering Dean Erick Jones talks with University President Brian Sandoval at the Cybersecurity Conference Oct. 5.

Greetings! This fall semester has been a busy and eventful one for our College of Engineering. We hope to begin planning soon for the new George W. Gillemot Aerospace Engineering Department, a dream made possible by a generous donation from the George W. Gillemot Foundation. We’re involved with University-wide efforts to generate a lithium-based economy in northern Nevada. Our faculty are engaging in exciting research that not only raises our profile, but provides opportunities for our students to explore novel ideas and work with cutting-edge technology. Our students are flourishing, participating in national contests, earning accolades in their fields and even speaking at industry events. We’ve been busy, and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about our activities this fall semester. Now that the holiday season is underway, I hope we can take the time to reflect on the past year and appreciate all that it has given us. Thank you, so much, for your support of the College of Engineering.

Best,

Erick Jones, Dean

College of Engineering

In the photo above, Dean Erick Jones (left) and University President Brian Sandoval share a laugh at the Cybersecurity Conference on Oct. 5.